Engaging, accessible, and well-narrated. A recommended purchase for collections where psychology and science titles are popular.

Lights On aims to tackle the not so small question: what is consciousness. In this new audio documentary, the author approaches the question from philosophy, physics, biology, and psychology. Each chapter introduces new theories from experts in the disparate fields with the goal of triangulating a general explanation of consciousness.

I have been studying what it means to be human for a few years now. And consciousness plays a key role in humanity. So I inevitably requested the book. The overall documentary was positioned well and I was excited to dig in and learn what these fields had to say about consciousness.

Some of the expert conversations were however too clinical and advanced to keep up with—which was disappointing. I feel one key to a great documentary is to provide the “dumbed down” explanation right as you experience the big “sciencey” explanation.

I’m thinking Alan Alda in Scientific American Frontiers asking the “dumb question” for the benefit of the viewer. This dynamic was attempted with the show’s producer, but the timing felt wrong. The producer didn't show up until the end of each chapter. So you spent the whole chapter trying to parse out the take away and then determine your conclusion was incorrect.

Overall, it was a fascinating topic that could have used a little more production polish.

Lights On is a very insightful look at consciousness and what it means to be aware of one's existence, at some level, and where that first originated as certain arrangements of matter became alive. It is very fascinating and also abstract - especially discussions of reality, space-time, etc. This is a series of interviews with prominent thinkers from various fields that are collegial and very deep. There are some devices, like conversations with the producer to help set things up, but it is still very hard to dive into abstract conversations with limited context, especially as a running thread is the lack of agreement on common terms. This is all a followup to a previous book from the author, which it would probably be helpful to have read beforehand.
Nonetheless, this is a fascinating exploration of what it means to be alive and to be aware of one's surroundings, and how that manifests in plants, animals, and possibly even molecules as small as electrons. The concepts around our self being a construct and our awareness of the world being a limited slice of the actual world because of our imperfect senses and mental capacity to process information.
Overall, it's a great exploration of awareness, but there is probably a more basic entry point, but it's a great survey of various thinkers and fields and how this intersects with their research.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Annaka Harris’s Lights On: How Understanding Consciousness Helps Us Understand the Universe is a thought-provoking exploration of one of the most profound mysteries of existence. Narrated by Harris herself, this audiobook offers a deeply engaging and accessible journey into the nature of consciousness and its implications for our understanding of the universe.

In Lights On, Harris delves into the enigmatic world of consciousness, posing questions that challenge our conventional understanding of reality. She explores whether consciousness could be a fundamental aspect of the universe, akin to gravity or electromagnetism. Through interviews with leading scientists and philosophers, including Brian Greene, David Eagleman, and Carlo Rovelli, Harris presents diverse perspectives on the nature of consciousness and its potential role in the cosmos.

Annaka Harris’s narration is a highlight of this audiobook. Her clear and articulate delivery makes complex concepts accessible to a broad audience. Harris’s passion for the subject matter shines through, adding an extra layer of authenticity and engagement to the listening experience.

Harris’s writing is eloquent and approachable, striking a balance between scientific rigor and philosophical inquiry. She skillfully weaves together scientific theories, personal anecdotes, and philosophical musings, creating a narrative that is as enlightening as it is thought-provoking.

Lights On explores themes of consciousness, reality, and the nature of existence. It challenges listeners to reconsider their assumptions about the mind and the universe, offering new perspectives on age-old questions.

Lights On: How Understanding Consciousness Helps Us Understand the Universe is a fascinating and enlightening audiobook that will appeal to anyone interested in the mysteries of the mind and the cosmos. Annaka Harris’s insightful exploration of consciousness, combined with her engaging narration, makes this a must-listen for both novices and experts in the field. The audiobook’s blend of scientific inquiry and philosophical reflection ensures it will leave a lasting impression on its listeners.

I was listening in on a seminar back in undergrad and someone was giving a talk about the science of consciousness, and it totally had me intrigued, which is why I picked this book up. The audio narration for this was just excellent. I felt like I was having a conversation with someone who patiently explained all the science to me, an absolute novice. It felt like a podcast, which in my book, is great. I've never heard of an audio documentary before this and I think I'm excited to try more after this!

I did run into errors where the "book" wouldn't play, so I had to skip a couple chapters, which is why I cannot add it to Goodreads, but I'll be reviewing the rest of the book on my website (with this disclaimer).

Wow!! This was a really interesting book that taught me a lot of new things while making me think more about what consciousness and experience are. I really enjoyed the way each chapter felt almost like a podcast with various interviews, and each chapter was summarized well so the story was easy to follow. Each chapter covers a lot of deep information and research, but to keep readers interested they cut back in some places while giving a solid list of resources the reader can look at later.

What is consciousness? How we come to understand it? Can we truly share our experiences with others?

This is not a book, but an audio documentary that felt like a very long podcast. Harris is excellent at establishing definitions and locking down meanings before continuing on in her quest to explain and understand consciousness. This is a great documentary for a beginner to the subject who has a genuine interest in consciousness.

Thank you NetGalley for a prerelease of Lights On.

This audiobook documentary is an engaging dive into consciousness. I love how she weaves in the newest scientific research in an easy to consume and engaging way. There is something for everyone in this book - whether for consciousness novices and seasoned experts.

I highly recommend this book.