The Consciousness Quiz: Get Ready to Have Your Brain Turned Inside-Out (and Giggle a Bit, Too)

Hey hey, you beautiful human! 💁‍♀️

So, in my last email, I briefly talked about defining consciousness, and I got a bunch of replies (okay, two) asking me to break it down in simple terms. I get it! It's not an easy concept to wrap your head around, especially when so many folks out there make it sound like a snooze-fest. But I'm here today to make it crystal clear.

In fact, I've been pondering the difference between conscious and unconscious thoughts, the nature of reality, and even whether animals have consciousness - and it's all led me to create a quiz that'll take you on a mind-bending journey through the world of consciousness.

Now, don't worry if you're a beginner or a seasoned pro. There's always more to explore and learn, and this quiz is the perfect way to do just that. So sit back, relax, and prepare to have your cranium splattered with mind-melting revelations (and maybe even learn a thing or two about yourself).

But this isn't some stuffy old quiz. Nope, we're going to get deep and silly with a healthy dose of humour. So if you're ready to question your existence and have some fun doing it, then let's start. And if not, hey, there are always cat videos on YouTube. No judgment here.

One last thing: don't sweat it if you don't get every question right. I'm your personal cheerleader, and I know you're already an amazing human being. So let's get started, my conscious friend! 👊

1. Which of the following best describes consciousness?

a) The state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings

b) The feeling you get when you realize you left your phone at home

c) The name of a terrible reality TV show

2. What is the difference between conscious and unconscious thoughts?

a) Conscious thoughts are those you're aware of, while unconscious thoughts are those you keep locked up in your subconscious

b) Conscious thoughts are those you have while you're awake, while unconscious thoughts are those you have while you're sleeping

c) I don't know. Ask Freud.

3. Can animals be conscious?

a) Yes, many animals are conscious beings

b) No, only humans have the privilege of being conscious

c) I don't know, I haven't asked my cat yet

4. Which philosopher famously said, "I think, therefore I am"?

a) Descartes

b) Socrates

c) Jim Carrey

5. Which of the following is not a common altered state of consciousness?

a) Sleep

b) Hypnosis

c) Contemplating your existence while watching reruns of Friends

6. What is the relationship between consciousness and free will?

a) Consciousness is necessary for free will

b) Free will is necessary for consciousness

c) I'm sorry, I'm too busy contemplating the nature of reality to think about free will

7. What is the "zombie argument" in the philosophy of consciousness?**

a) The argument that zombies are real and living among us

b) The argument that consciousness is not necessary for intelligent behaviour

c) The argument that zombies are not capable of conscious thought because they're too busy trying to eat our brains

8. Can you ever truly know if someone else is conscious?

a) Yes, of course you can

b) No, it's impossible to know for sure

c) I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention because I was too busy thinking about Jim Carrey

Look who made it to the end of the Consciousness Quiz - you! Do I even need to tell you how fabulously you did? I mean, you're either a consciousness whiz with a deep understanding of the basics, or you're a curious soul who's open to exploring different perspectives. Or maybe you're just a funny bunny who doesn't take things too seriously - and I like that about you.

But seriously, let's give it up for staying aware of the importance of consciousness and being present in the moment. It's easy to get swept up in the day-to-day craziness, but you're keeping your eye on the prize. Keep questioning, keep laughing, and who knows what kind of cosmic revelations you'll uncover!

And let's not forget, there's always more to learn about consciousness. No matter how much we think we know, there's always more to explore, more to question, and more to discover. So keep on being the conscious, amazing human being that you are. Or, you know, keep thinking about Jim Carrey. Either way, you're crushing it.

Love, Jonni

May your coffee be strong, your plans be exciting, and your vibes be on point today. Cheers to making this Saturday the best one yet!

**What’s the zombie argument, you ask? Well, some smarty-pants philosophers like to argue that it's possible for there to be creatures who look and act just like us, but who don't actually have consciousness. They call these creatures "zombies" (not to be confused with the undead kind that crave brains). Now, you might be thinking, "What's the big deal? I know some people who act like zombies without any help from philosophy." But the real kicker is that these zombie creatures would be able to do everything that we do - walk, talk, solve math problems, heck, they could even write poetry or do the Macarena - without ever actually experiencing anything. That's right, they'd just be going through the motions, like a robot or a particularly convincing actor. They wouldn't actually feel anything, and wouldn't have any inner experience of the world. And that is where the zombie argument gets juicy.

See, some philosophers use this zombie thought experiment to argue against the idea that consciousness is purely a physical phenomenon. They say, "Look, if it's possible for there to be creatures who act exactly like us but don't have consciousness, then consciousness must be something more than just physical processes in the brain. There must be some non-physical, metaphysical stuff going on, too." Others respond, "Hey, just because we can imagine a world with zombies doesn't mean it's actually possible. And even if it were possible, it wouldn't prove that consciousness isn't physical - it would just mean that we haven't figured out the physical mechanisms that give rise to consciousness yet."

So there you have it - the zombie argument in a nutshell. Whether or not you buy it is up to you, but personally, I prefer my zombies with a side of brains, if you know what I mean.