Exploring Consciousness and Reality: A Meetup for Open Minds

Topic for 4/29: Theories of Consciousness: Exploring Different Models

Come with a theory, a question, or just curiosity.
We’re not here for conclusions—we’re here to see what patterns emerge.
For those who suspect the veil is thin.

In this series, we will dive deep into the complex and fascinating questions about the nature of reality, consciousness, and perception. We’ll explore how consciousness arises, the mysteries of quantum mechanics, and how our understanding of reality is shaped by our minds. Topics will include the observer effect, simulation theory, the nature of experience, states of consciousness (including altered states), AI and consciousness, and much more. Each session will challenge our understanding of what is real, encouraging thought experiments, discussion, and the exploration of cutting-edge theories from both science and philosophy.

To keep conversation focused and meaningful, a few pieces of contextual information will be presented at the start of each session, followed by a set of questions to guide our discussion.

Please read revised description!

How did we get from “objects fall when you drop them” to “top scientists say we might be living in a computer simulation”? From “living things are made of cells” to “there may be copies of us living in different worlds?”

This session is for anyone curious about the true nature of the universe, the mysteries of consciousness, and the possibility that reality is more than it seems.

We’ll trace a handful of fundamental milestones that have reshaped our understanding of reality over the past few centuries. We’ll also explore key ideas from quantum physics—such as wavefunction collapse, entanglement, and the observer effect—and delve into emerging theories about the role of perception and awareness in shaping what we experience as real. This overview isn’t exhaustive—just a taste—but it’s enough to get your mental gears turning.

This is not an academic lecture. I don’t have a background in physics or philosophy, and I’m not a scientist. But I am a licensed clinical social worker with professional experience in the assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders. I’ve worked with a wide spectrum of client behaviors and experiences—including psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and delusions, as well as complex substance use—which has deeply informed how I think about consciousness, perception, and what we call “reality.” That work shaped my fascination with how sensory experience, belief, and brain function intersect with the larger fabric of existence.

Presentation will run about 60 minutes, followed by open discussion.z

This series will venture into the unknown, exploring topics that challenge our conventional understanding of the universe. From UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomena) and government disclosures to extraterrestrial intelligence, psychic phenomena, and the mysteries of ancient civilizations, these sessions will delve into the strange and unexplained. We’ll look at the potential metaphysical implications of nonhuman intelligence, the possibility of interdimensional beings, and how ancient knowledge may have connected us to beings beyond our current understanding. If you’re curious about what lies beyond the veil of conventional reality, this series is for you.

To keep conversation focused and meaningful, a few pieces of contextual information will be presented at the start of each session, followed by a set of questions to guide our discussion.