A review by outcolder
Consciousness: A Very Short Introduction by Susan Blackmore

4.0

If Blackmore were a jazz trumpeter, she'd be blowin' right up Dennett's butt. Still, considering she is far less obnoxious than he is and that this is one of those slim "very short introductions," it's a much easier task than his [b:Consciousness Explained|2069|Consciousness Explained|Daniel C. Dennett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386924714s/2069.jpg|1860288]. I appreciate that Blackmore is clearly experienced in the Jimi Hendrix sense of the word but I question whether the conclusion that 'consciousness is a delusion' really should automatically lead to the conclusion that we should try to accept that and live accordingly. I suspect that the illusion of consciousness has some very important survival functions. Maybe the conclusion ought to be that I should do more to strengthen the illusion that I am the same person I was a minute ago ... for example, keep a diary ... and not do what Blackmore seems to insist is the correct thing, namely, meditate my mind away. This book was a fun ride, and I like thinking that one day self-aware computers might conclude that consciousness is a delusion even though we humans are perfectly prepared to attribute feelings and consciousness to everything from dirt to sock puppets.