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In 2023, 28% of Americans identified as “nones”; that is, they answered “none” when surveyed about their religion. That’s up from 16% in 2007. Still, 71% of the nones – or spiritual but not religious – believe in a higher power or some kind of universal intelligence, some of them even in God. These people are known as “spiritual but not religious”.
WOW! What an experience! Thank you to everyone who participated in our 50th anniversary conference, BEYOND: Global Mind Change in Action. The lineup of speakers was exceptional. The conference featured profoundly engaging panel discussions, interactive breakout sessions, and unique opportunities to connect with the IONS community. Throughout the four-day event, attendees experienced several awe-inspiring moments, with the guiding presence of our founder and past leaders palpable. We are delighted to report that feedback is overwhelmingly positive and filled with enthusiasm for the future of IONS.
When it comes to mind wandering, a number of questions arise. Arnaud Delorme, PhD, IONS Scientist and author of Why Our Minds Wander: Understand the Science and Learn How to Focus Your Thoughts, shares his answers to some frequently asked questions about mind wandering.
Summer solstice is a pivotal time. It is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, and it’s a time surrounded by traditions, tales, and mysticism. People all over the world celebrate summer solstice with festivals and holidays.
Irreducible: Consciousness, Life, Computers, and Human Nature gives an extraordinary history of scientific and tech developments including the step by step development of computational technologies from Euclid to quantum computing, AI and other leading edge technologies. In the new book, Federico Faggin proposes new postulates on the nature of consciousness and free will, which he suggests are fundamental properties of existence.
In the realm of dream research, the concept of lucid dreaming—where individuals become aware they are dreaming and can even control the narrative of their dreams—has long fascinated scientists and dreamers alike. But beyond its intriguing nature, could lucid dreaming hold the key to alleviating trauma?
ChatGPT has revolutionized our professional lives! AI enhances efficiency by automating complex tasks, reducing human error, and saving time. It also enables advanced data analysis and decision-making, leading to innovative solutions and improved outcomes in various fields. However, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years has caused significant concern among technology leaders. Icons such as Elon Musk, Geoffrey Hinton (the father of AI), and Stephen Hawking have all expressed apprehensions about the potential dangers of AI. Musk has described AI as “the most significant existential threat to humanity” and called for strict regulatory oversight. Hinton left his position at Google to voice his concerns about AI safety, emphasizing the need for precautionary measures before uncontrolled AI development takes place. Hawking warned that if AI surpasses our ability to control it, it could lead to the end of the human race.
At the start of June, we celebrated two milestones: 50 years of IONS, and our first truly global conference, hosted online. Both of these have left me reflecting on the beauty of the present moment.
IONS is thrilled to announce that three finalists have been chosen to draft a review of models of non-local consciousness for the 2024 award.
With our historic gathering BEYOND: Global Mind Change in Action around the corner, we can’t wait to explore the individual and collective paths available to shift global consciousness with you and our community.