Putting Ourselves Back in the Equation: Why Physicists Are Studying Human Consciousness and AI to Unravel the Mysteries of the Universe (Hardback) - George Musser

One of the most unfathomable mysteries of quantum physics... could the answer be much closer than ever we thought?

Distant galaxies, dark matter, black holes - elusive, incomprehensible and inhospitable - these are the building blocks of modern physics. But where do we fit in this picture?

For centuries, we have separated mind from matter. While physicists have pursued a theory of 'everything' with single-minded purpose, the matter of the mind, of human consciousness, has been conveniently sidestepped and ignored - consigned to priests, philosophers and poets.

With the ambition of Stephen Hawking, Carlo Rovelli and Brian Cox, Putting Ourselves Back in the Equation sets out a bold new vision for theoretical physics, unrestricted by sleek equations and neat formulations. Combining cutting-edge neuroscience with the latest in quantum mechanics, acclaimed writer Musser offers a new interpretation of human consciousness. From bizarre cognitive phenomena, like lucid dreaming and self-taught synaesthesia, to the latest technological developments in AI, Musser asks: what can physics teach us about what it means to be human?

About the Author

George Musser is an award-winning science writer and was a senior editor at Scientific American for fifteen years. He is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to String Theory and Spooky Action at a Distance, and has written extensively for many publications, including the New York Times, Science, Nautilus, Quanta and Nature.