Issue 21: Focus on Consciousness Hacking

“Human extensions by means of technology are not to be opposed to Nature. They are themselves part of what Nature is doing.” - Beatrice Bruteau

Aug 01, 2024

“Consciousness Hacking” is all these things: the practice of using various techniques and technologies to enhance, manipulate, or modify one's consciousness, perception, or cognitive abilities, a group of people interested in using those techniques: the ‘CoHack community’ (MeetUp group is here and apparently active), and a company based in San Francisco’s Silicon Valley founded by Joshua Fields and Mikey Siegel with the help of Dr. Jeffery Martin.

You will notice that most of the links in our CoHack section are several years old. That’s because it appears that this movement exploded in about 2017 and then fizzled out rather quickly; by 2021 it seems to have been mostly over. This might be because it was dependent on just a handful of people, or because the VC money ran out, because the pandemic happened and people stopped meeting in person, or maybe they all got distracted by AI.

But… we at The Elevator want to revive Consciousness Hacking! The philosophy behind it is both nuanced and extremely solid (see Joshua Fields’ excellent talk from 2019, linked below, for details). They are proposing a way forward which is neither ‘The Singularity Is Coming — humans are going to be replaced’ nor ‘Let’s all go back to living in caves and using rotary phones because tech is evil’. They accept that technology is going to be an important piece of the puzzle for humanity in the future (as it has been throughout our history and prehistory) and that we might as well face up to that fact; but also that our current relationship with tech resembles an abusive marriage. Clearly a great deal of digital technology has not been designed with human flourishing in mind; rather it creates addiction and alienation for the ultimate profit of a handful of people.

So the CoHack movement understood why people are wary of technology and distrust those who create it. Yet they also sought to highlight ways in which hardware and software can help us be more ourselves rather than less.

Aren’t top-down interventions in the brain and nervous system risky though? Well they certainly can be, but it doesn’t have to be the case. It appears that it’s possible to target specific brain areas using technology in much more accurate ways than, for example, psychedelics generally do. Again, we’ve posted various links below so you can judge the evidence for yourself.

Also various studies have discovered that psychedelics actually reduce brain activity, rather than what was assumed by many before the studies were done: that they would increase it. Therefore consciousness-hacking tech only has to have the same function if we desire similar effects. We're not adding something to the brain or forcing it to produce certain effects, we're reducing activity and allowing pure consciousness to be experienced in a fuller way.

Events

Gathering of Tribes 2024

11-15 September 2024 | Near Porto, Portugal

The Elevator will be represented at this regenerative gathering, “a co-created conference bringing together impact entrepreneurs, change makers and community builders across silos.” More details about the event and its philosophy can be found in this interview with the founder, Victor Vorski.

Bridging Ancient and Modern

Two online events with the Jungian psychologist Alex de Carvalho, one on 1st August: Exploring Masculine and Feminine Energies, and another on the 20th: Vision Quest & Sundance Info Session.

Between God And Atheism

The Royal Institution, London, UK | 15 November, 2024 | 18:45 (doors open)

Philip Goff, Elizabeth Oldfield, Jack Symes, Rev. Rowan Williams, and Alex O’Conner will discuss God, consciousness, ethics, the brain, atheism, and more.

Use Promo code GOFF25 for 25% reduction.

Links

Humans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying them

Humans may possess extraordinary abilities that resemble superpowers, according to recent scientific research. Studies suggest that certain genetic traits can enhance physical and cognitive capabilities, such as exceptional memory, heightened sensory perception, and even resistance to diseases. Researchers are investigating these unique traits to better understand their biological underpinnings and potential applications, which could lead to advancements in health and human performance.

Famed climber Alex Honnold—pictured here at the Ahwahnee Boulders in Yosemite National Park—doesn't seem to feel fear like the rest of us. Scientists have studied Honnold's brain to understand how he's been able to control his fear in the face of extreme danger.

Altering Consciousness with Advanced Meditation | Scientific American

"Dedicated practitioners of advanced meditation move beyond mindfulness into a state where consciousness 'entirely falls away.’” Matthew Sacchet, an associate professor and director of the Meditation Research Program at Harvard Medical School, explains that advanced meditation goes beyond stress management and can fundamentally alter our understanding of consciousness and mental health. Using advanced neuroimaging techniques, Sacchet's research reveals how deep meditative states can enhance attention, joy, mental ease, and self-transcendence.

SCIENTIFIC PROOF: Reality Is An Illusion | Dr. Donald Hoffmann PhD

Dr. Donald Hoffman likens what we think of as the physical world to a user interface to actual reality, much as our phone has IOS or Android to avoid exposing us to what’s really going on at the binary code level. He states that the chances of us being able to perceive reality directly are mathematically zero: we have evolved to survive, not to be able to perceive reality as it is. Hoffman discusses consciousness from a scientific perspective, exploring the relationship between brain activity and conscious experiences, and emphasizing that ‘correlation does not equal causation’.

The power of proprioception: how to improve your ‘sixth sense’ – and become healthier and happier | Health & wellbeing | The Guardian

Try standing on one leg with your eyes closed: do you start to fall over? Proprioception, our innate sense of body position and movement in space, is essential for health and happiness as we age. Simple exercises like the "rock pass" drill can test and train proprioception, which depends on factors like core strength. Using free weights, slow movements, and exercises that emphasize stability, such as planks and leg lifts, can improve proprioceptive abilities. Practices like pilates and tai chi also enhance proprioception in targeted areas of the body.

The universe is built a lot like a giant brain – so is it conscious? | New Scientist

Joshua Howgego explores the striking similarities between the structure and dynamics of the universe and the human brain, suggesting that the cosmos may possess some form of consciousness (“You don’t say?!”, exclaim indigenous people). He compares the fractal-like patterns, interconnectedness, and information processing capabilities shared by both systems, and considers the philosophical implications of a "conscious universe." There is also the question of the potential for artificial intelligence to achieve consciousness — and the challenges of accurately measuring and reporting qualia in non-biological systems. Because without being sure of qualia, how would we know that ‘it’s like something’ to be a conscious AI rather than a mere ‘digital zombie’ which only appears to be conscious?

Chronic Pain is Psychedelic - by Sophie Strand

Strand explains how chronic pain can create a profound sense of being anchored in the present moment, often leaving sufferers feeling detached from the flow of time and unable to envision a future or reflect on the past. This experience, described by anthropologist Jane Guyer as "enforced presentism," resonates deeply with those who have lived with chronic pain or illness, as they navigate daily challenges that may feel like involuntary initiations. She claims that while practices like meditation and psychedelics are often touted for their benefits, they may not in fact compare to the intense internal struggles faced by those enduring enforced physical or psychological distress. Ultimately, living with chronic pain becomes a form of involuntary meditation, reshaping one's understanding of both existence itself and personal resilience.

Zuck Wakes Up?!

In maybe one of the most surprising videos ever, previously chronically robotic tech-bro billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, clearly vibing, makes the case that consciousness needs to be embodied and pours scorn on the concept of silicon-based AI ever truly being conscious. So there’s a first time for everything: I agree with Mark Zuckerberg.

Focus On: Consciousness Hacking

The State of Consciousness Hacking

“When people think of Consciousness Hacking, many assume the focus is on building tools for elevating consciousness through technology, but this is only half of the equation. The other half is the notion that we should build from a place of wisdom, not just for it. In other words, higher consciousness as an input to, as well as an output of, innovation.”

This is Joshua Fields’ insightful overview of the state of the CoHack movement (lengthy but worth it if you’re at all interested!). He discusses his own personal journey, including the realization that ‘the attention economy’ is really ‘the trauma economy’, and how we can do much, much better, even using tech to nurture human wisdom and flourishing.

An Evening with the Consciousness Hackers | The New Yorker

Nellie Bowles describes a CoHack meet-up in San Francisco, where attendees gathered to explore experimental technologies aimed at enhancing self-awareness and mental and spiritual well-being. Organized by Mikey Siegel, one of the prime movers of the movement, the event featured demonstrations of devices that measure brain activity and allow users to interact with technology through thought, such as a thought-controlled beer tap and levitating chairs.

Meditation, Neurofeedback And Brainwave Entrainment

Brainwave entrainment is a technique that uses rhythmic stimuli, such as sound or light, to synchronize brainwave patterns toward known states of rest or creativity, potentially enhancing mental states and well-being. Various methods, including binaural beats, monaural beats, isochronic tones, and photic stimulation can be used in order to facilitate relaxation, cognitive enhancement, and pain relief. The idea of entrainment is rooted in the idea that the brain can be influenced by external oscillatory stimuli, much like how physical objects can synchronize with one another.

Esalen Journal | GroupFlow: Toward a New Paradigm of Human Connection

Mikey Siegel, an engineer and lecturer, in collaboration with meditation teacher Soryu Forall, has developed GroupFlow, a technology platform designed to enhance human connection by measuring participants' heart rates and breath, then translating that data into sound, light, and music. During a month-long research project at Esalen, various facilitators from different traditions utilized GroupFlow to create unique experiences that created deeper intimacy and connection among participants. The project aims to explore the potential of technology as a sacred tool for enhancing relationships and addressing the growing epidemic of loneliness, with the ultimate goal of understanding the ‘source code’ of human group harmony to create a deeper sense of connection within groups of people.

Joshua Fields - The Wisdom Race

This is a great talk about the urgent need to scale human wisdom in order to give us the capability to use our ‘god-like’ technology in ways which won’t threaten human existence. Fields, in a talk in the heart of Silicon Valley, argues that although there is nothing inherently wrong with technology, the ways we are designing it are extractive and short-termist, decreasing attention span and increasing addiction. He also contrasts the worldviews of techno-utopian Stephen Pinker and ‘collapsologist’ Jem Bendell, and concludes that while each is holding an essential truth, both are ultimately mistaken. Fields sees a narrow way through: we harness tech in the service of freeing us from generational trauma and exponentially increasing our wisdom and agency in the face of the multiple crises facing us.

First FDA Clearance of a Digital Treatment for Adults with ADHD Through a Video Game

Akili Interactive has received FDA authorization for EndeavorOTC, meaning it is now the first digital treatment cleared for adults with ADHD delivered through a video game. This innovative treatment is designed to improve attention and focus in adult ADHD sufferers, representing a significant advancement in the field of digital therapeutics, and potentially a more healthy solution than pharmacological interventions.

Share The Elevator’s Substack

A Technoboost for Meditation | Jay Sanguinetti | TEDxBigSky

Jay Sanguinetti's talk at TEDxBigSky explores the use of low intensity focused ultrasound technology to enhance mindfulness meditation, which can lead to increased happiness, reduced anxiety, and improved emotional regulation through self-awareness. Initial experiments have shown promising results in accelerating the benefits of meditation by reducing resistance and allowing for deeper meditative states. The meditation teacher Shinzen Young, who acted as a ‘guinea pig’ for the tests, claimed it was the deepest meditative experience he’d ever had (after 40+ years of harcore meditation!). Further research is of course needed to explore potential clinical applications and long-term effects though.

Inside Silicon Valley's new non-religion: consciousness hacking | WIRED

"I saw spiritual attainment and I thought, 'That does not need to be religious. That can be scientific.'"

This Wired article explores Silicon Valley’s dive into blending technology with personal enlightenment aimed at enhancing mental states and performance. This trend includes everything from meditation apps and biofeedback to more experimental methods like sensory deprivation and brain stimulation. Entrepreneurs and innovators are eager to explore how these practices can unlock human potential, with some offering courses and tools to help people achieve peak experiences. The movement raises questions about the balance between beneficial self-exploration and the risk of addiction or distraction, as tech enthusiasts seek to redefine spirituality without the guardrails of traditional religious frameworks.

Nuggets From The Archive

Ep28 - The Courage to Live Our Calling With Ashanti Kunene

Ashanti Kunene is a social justice activist, a decolonial dialogue facilitator, a poet, the founder of Learning 2 Unlearn, the director of pedagogy at Culture Hack Labs, and an occasional painter. She will be speaking at our upcoming seminar, The Future of Consciousness. In this podcast she speaks to

Carlota Guedes

about her personal understanding of "a calling" - that persistent aspect of oneself that continually resurfaces, regardless of one's desires, inspiring and compelling action. Ashanti also reflects on how she came to accept and embody her own calling as an advocate for social justice, empowering leaders to confront systemic issues and promote accountability.

The Atom and the Doctrine of Identity: Quantum Pioneer Erwin Schrödinger on Bridging Eastern Philosophy and Western Science to Illuminate Consciousness – The Marginalian

Quantum pioneer Erwin Schrödinger bridged Eastern philosophy and Western science to illuminate consciousness, arguing that subject and object are one, and that the total number of minds is just one, always existing in the present moment. He drew on Vedanta and the "doctrine of identity" to suggest that minds overlap and are identical with the whole, challenging the notion of separate egos and proposing a more integrated worldview that avoids the "arithmetical paradox" of many minds in one world.

The Return of the Black Madonna: A Sign of Our Times or How the Black Madonna Is Shaking Us Up for the Twenty-First Century

Matthew Fox writes of the resurgence of the Black Madonna, viewing it as a significant cultural and spiritual phenomenon relevant to contemporary society, symbolizing a call for justice, healing, and the integration of marginalized voices. Fox discusses how the Black Madonna represents a fusion of the divine feminine and the oppressed, challenging patriarchal structures and inviting a deeper understanding of spirituality that embraces diversity and inclusivity. Fox says that this revival is a transformative force, urging individuals to confront social injustices and embrace a more holistic approach to spirituality in the twenty-first century.

How hardcore Meditation Transformed his Brain permanently | Daniel Ingram

Daniel Ingram, an advanced meditator who claims to have achieved the final stage of enlightenment, was found by neuroscientist Dr. Judd Burrow to have a brain that is vastly different from others. According to Ingram's description and Burrow's findings, this altered state allows for control over the default mode network, increased mental resolution, and a shift in perception, enabling quicker processing of emotions and a diffuse awareness without separate control, leading to a sense of enlightenment or enhanced perceptual abilities.

Microdosing Psychedelics Could Help People With ADHD

New research published in Frontiers in Psychiatry suggests that microdosing psychedelics, such as LSD or magic mushrooms, may enhance mindfulness in adults with ADHD. The study involved 233 participants who intended to start microdosing, and results indicated significant improvements in mindfulness after four weeks, bringing their scores in line with those of the general population. This finding is particularly relevant given the ongoing shortage of traditional ADHD medications like Adderall and Ritalin, prompting individuals to seek alternative treatments. The study highlights the potential of psychedelics as a viable option for managing ADHD symptoms.

To Prepare for Psychedelic Therapy, Doctors Breathe Their Way to an Altered State - The New York Times

The NYT reports on a growing trend among healthcare professionals seeking to understand altered states of consciousness through Holotropic Breathwork. This intensive breathing technique, lasting three hours, is being used as a legal alternative to psychedelic experiences in training programs for psychedelic therapy. Participants, including skeptical doctors, have reported profound emotional and physical responses, with some claiming to relive birth trauma or glimpse past lives. This looks to be part of a broader shift as psychedelics move from underground use to mainstream medicine, with clinicians exploring non-drug methods to induce altered states and prepare for work in the expanding field of psychedelic therapy.