Does Consciousness Come Along for the Ride?

We like to think that if a system gets complex enough, consciousness just kicks in -- the lights turn on. It’s a neat idea — and it shows up everywhere, from neuroscience papers to AI hype.

But the science isn’t nearly that simple.

This essay asks: does consciousness really just come along for the ride when things get complicated? It looks at what the science actually says.

If consciousness isn’t about complexity, then what is it about?

Get full access to When Life Gives You a Brain at suzitravis.substack.com/subscribe