(U N) R E A L I T Y-B L O G
(un)reality
From Separation to Oneness, from Monoculture to Diversity.
After a PhD thesis on non separability and non locality in Quantum theory, Dr Vandana Shiva studied non separation between forests, soil and water, the Green revolution in Punjab and the relationship between violence against nature by chemical agriculture and emergence of violence in society. Since then, she has kept working on the link between seeds, plants, soil, climate, and biodiversity.
Entangled Lives: Fungal Networks, Ecology, and Us.
A fascinating conversation with the biologist and writer Merlin Sheldrake about the hidden universe of fungi. When we think of fungi, we likely think of mushrooms, but mushrooms are only fruiting bodies, analogous to apples on a tree. Most fungi live out of sight, yet make up a massively diverse kingdom of organisms that supports and sustains nearly all living systems.
Fungi provide a key to understanding the planet on which we live, and the ways we think, feel, and behave. Fungi throw our concepts of individuality and even intelligence into question. They are metabolic masters, earth makers, and key players in most of life’s processes. They can change our minds, heal our bodies, and even help us remediate environmental disaster.
By examining fungi on their own terms, Merlin reveals how these extraordinary organisms—and our relationships with them—are changing our understanding of how life works.
Dr Ben Goertzel is a cross-disciplinary scientist, futurist, author and entrepreneur, who has spent the best part of his working life focused on creating benevolent superhuman artificial general intelligence (AGI).
In what the author calls ‘the fine print’ at the start of the book, David Carse wrote: ‘There are many books out there that will help you to live a better life, become a better person, and evolve and grow to realise your potential as a spiritual being. This is not one of them…almost every popular spiritual teacher in America and Europe is teaching that ultimate spiritual enlightenment…can now be yours; and that reading their book or attending their seminar will help you toward that end. This book will tell you that these ideas are absurd, because it’s quite obvious that neither you nor anything else has ever existed….’ He then concludes, ‘That said, enjoy’. We think you probably will.
“A new way of understanding reality is coming, and when it comes it will utterly transform how we see the world and how we live our lives.” Philosopher Tim Freke speaks at TEDx Berkeley about the evolution of soul and how to unite science and spirituality.
Rupert Spira in conversation with Donald Hoffman (moderated by Simon Mundie)
Monica Gagliano has single-handedly pioneered the revolutionary new field of Plant Bioacoustics, which is providing the most powerful evidence to date that plants possess forms of cognition that could constitute “personhood.” Michael Pollan, who has studied the human-plant relationship in such classic bestselling works as The Botany of Desire, has now turned his attention in his new book How To Change Your Mind to what cutting-edge research on psychedelic substances (which are nearly all derived from or modeled on plant molecules) is revealing about human consciousness. These two brilliant visionaries engaged in conversation hosted by J.P. Harpignies, Bioneers Senior Producer.
Francis Lucille answers questions from the audience at SAND 18, bringing his intelligence and wit to a variety of topics – free will, discipline, following our enthusiasm, the mystery of life, and giving priority to truth, love and beauty.
Transhuman brains are the melding of hyper-advanced electronics and super-artificial intelligence (AI) with neurobiological tissue. The goal is not only to repair injury and mitigate disease, but also to enhance brain capacity and boost mental function. What is the big vision, the end goal — how far can transhuman brains go? What does it mean for individual consciousness and personal identity? Is virtual immortality possible? What are the ethics, the morality, of transhuman brains? What are the dangers?
Plants and trees give us our very life. Without them, we wouldn’t have our breath, tissue, food, cognitive abilities of “higher mind,” emotional stability, and spiritual guidance.
Because of our close symbiotic relationship, we share a common ground with the plants that surround us. Our life-giving connection with the green beings is inherent in our humanness and our birthright is to be intimately related.
Communicating effectively is one of the foundations in a relationship that builds to a co-creative partnership. We all know how to communicate with plants… this innate knowledge lives within us, but has been forgotten due to the chaotic nature of our day to day lives.