hey discuss Pollan’s new book, the relationship between consciousness and intelligence, whether consciousness is a product of evolution, the role of psychedelics in consciousness research, AI and the question of machine consciousness, the illusion of the self, and other topics.

AI Sycophancy

May 6, 2026 Lynne Nardizzi

A new study shows what happens when chatbots put comfort over council.

Chatbots and Loneliness

May 5, 2026 Lynne Nardizzi

A 12-month longitudinal study of adults from four English-speaking countries found that being lonely may spur people to seek companionship through chatbots. However, such use may, over time, exacerbate feelings of loneliness.

The paper was published in Psychological Science.

ChatGPT and Spiritual Delusions

April 13, 2026 Lynne Nardizzi

Some of ChatGPT users are suffering through ChatGPT-induced delusions that have left their loved ones worried for their health and safety.

Chatbots and Delusion Spirals

April 12, 2026 Lynne Nardizzi

Chatbots can go into a delusional spiral. Here’s how it happens.

Consciousness and AI

March 13, 2026 Lynne Nardizzi

“The only tool we have with which to explore consciousness is consciousness itself,” says Michael Pollan, a celebrated science journalist and author of the new book A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness.

This conundrum—and how to potentially solve it—guides Pollan’s examination of consciousness, highlighting both the science and the philosophical dilemma it poses.