From the New York Times, this is the interview.

I'm David Marquesie.

For as long as I can remember, I've wrestled with my own thoughts and feelings about identity,

who I am and why I am that way.

I think it's no coincidence that I've also always been interested in the subject of consciousness,

because that's the area of science and philosophy, of humanity, I would say,

that gets at the deepest questions, like where do thoughts and feelings come from?

Why do I have them at all?

And what makes me, me, anyway?

The best-selling author Michael Pollan has also been thinking about some similar things. Throughout his

work, which includes classic books like The Omnivor's Dilemma about why we eat the way we do,

and how to change your mind about the science and use of psychedelic drugs,

pollen has waded into questions about the inner workings of the mind. Now, with his new book,

A World Appears, A Journey Into Consciousness, he's jumped into the deep end. The book is a highly

personal exploration of human consciousness, what it is, where it comes from, what it's for,

and what the different answers to those questions might mean for how we can make sense of our lives.

Questions that are getting more pressing with the rise of AI, and, as Pauline argues, with the way

even politics is now affecting our minds.

His book gets into some pretty profound, even mind-bending territory,

as I think did our interview. Here's my conversation with Michael Pollan.

Michael, thank you for taking the time to speak with me today.

I appreciate it.

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