Top Psychologist & Scientist (Donald Hoffman): Science Has the Answer to Why Seeing True Reality Would Kill You!

In this episode of the podcast, Steven Bartlett interviews Professor Donald Hoffman, a cognitive scientist, about the nature of reality. Hoffman argues that our perception of reality is not the truth but rather a "virtual reality headset" shaped by evolution to aid survival. They discuss how science suggests space-time is not fundamental and explore the implications of this for understanding consciousness, suffering, and the potential for new technologies. Hoffman shares his theory of conscious agents and its connection to physics, AI, and spirituality, suggesting that love and recognizing our transcendent nature are key to living a more fulfilling life. The conversation touches on near-death experiences, mental illness, and the possibility of editing the "code" of reality, ultimately concluding that we are all part of one infinite consciousness experiencing itself through different perspectives.