Lights On cover art

Lights On

How Understanding Consciousness Helps Us Understand The Universe

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Lights On

By: Annaka Harris
Narrated by: Annaka Harris
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About this listen

Awe-inspiring and accessible, this exclusive audio documentary by bestselling author Annaka Harris explores the unknown corners of consciousness and the cosmos.

'Follow along as Annaka Harris interviews (and graciously challenges) the world’s leading scientists on the nature of consciousness… Magnificent.' – Susan Cain, bestselling author of Quiet

'Consciousness might be the greatest mystery of the universe, and Annaka Harris is our best detective . . . You’ll never think about what happens between your ears in the same way again.' – Adam Grant, bestselling author of Think Again

Is consciousness a fundamental building block of the universe, like gravity? Can humans develop new senses through neuroscience? And can artificial intelligence ever truly replicate the subjective experience of being conscious?

Join Annaka Harris as she calls on distinguished experts in science and philosophy to find answers to today’s most perplexing questions about our minds and the universe at large. Through interviews with thinkers such as Brian Greene, David Eagleman, Anil Seth, Carlo Rovelli, and more, Harris presents diverse perspectives on whether consciousness could be considered a fundamental aspect of the universe.

This revolutionary idea challenges traditional neuroscience and quantum physics, shattering what we think we know about ourselves and scientific phenomena as foundational as space and time. Lights On also questions how a new understanding of consciousness might affect our perception of existence, our notions of free will, the development of technology, and the future of scientific discovery. In a follow-up to her seminal book, Conscious, this audio-original documentary offers beginners and experts alike a chance to unravel some of humankind’s most enduring puzzles.

'Only Annaka Harris could take one of the greatest mysteries of science and make it not only an adventure but also deeply relevant to everyday human flourishing.' – Dan Harris, bestselling author of 10% Happier and host of the 10% Percent Happier podcast.

Narrated by Annaka Harris; featuring Jay Shapiro, Susan Blackmore, Sean Carroll, Daniel Chamovitz, David Eagleman, Sascha Fink, Adam Frank, Philip Goff, Joseph Goldstein, Brian Greene, Donald Hoffman, Patrick House, Christof Koch, Janna Levin, George Musser, Carlo Rovelli, Zoë Schlanger, Anil Seth, Lee Smolin, Sara Imari Walker

Produced and directed by Jay Shapiro and Annaka Harris

©2025 Annaka Harris (P)2025 Macmillan Audio
Neuroscience & Neuropsychology Physics Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science

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All stars
Most relevant  
mind blowing in so many ways. impressive production, for once directing music etc didn't get in the way of the important subject being presented.

highly recommend

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With Annaka Harris's personal, step-by-step exploration of how consciousness might be fundamental to reality, this audio documentary entertainingly opens new perspectives on panpsychism—a theory I had previously dismissed for its seemingly spooky claims. Anyone interested in consciousness, regardless of their background knowledge, would appreciate this documentary thanks to Harris's relatable and charmingly humble narration. Those who have pondered the "hard problem" of consciousness will find this work particularly enlightening, as Harris guides listeners through complex philosophical terrain with clarity and thoughtfulness.

Breezy scientific discourse with relatable narration

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As above? Oh there’s a word minimum! Whereof we cannot speak pass thereover in silence? Fourteen

Heidegger?

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Loved all the questions and answers.
Lots of things that I’ve thought about. Great interviews with scientists and philosophers.
Very insightful.

Very insightful

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For anyone who has spent time pondering the mystery of consciousness, this will surely be a deeply engaging and fascinating exploration. Annaka engages with a broad range of scientists and thinkers. In line with her underpinning intuition that consciousness is fundamental, this means she delves into many avenues of existence to explore this principle. For example the discussions around the behaviour of trees and bacteria… alongside of the chapters exploring the current boundaries of theoretical physics and possible explanations for quantum relations. They are framed by chats with a lay colleague which are very helpful, providing necessary recaps and anchoring back into the broad direction of travel.

Annaka has an engaging personal voice that I found easy to listen to as part of the well paced narrative.

The final sections explore some avenues that are currently beyond the reach of our current paradigms for doing science, very much into the realm of theory and philosophy. Which is appropriate given that there are so many deep mysteries still to unravel within this sphere.

I gave it only four stars for a specific reason. There is no part of me that has ever had any belief in religion or a higher power of any kind. But for many people there would surely be a huge God shaped hole in this space. And that becomes increasingly true for me the further the documentary proceeds, particularly with the closing remarks where Annika wonders if it is the case that… “consciousness has always been there, and in some sense that is all there is.”
This has such strong parallels with mystic and religious thought that it seems remiss to never even once mention religion across the whole documentary - perhaps not as a discreet topic but at least in the chats and recap parts. And if not touching religion, at least then some of the key principles of Buddhism which have such strong alignment with some of the concluding remarks as well as Annika’s experiences through meditation.

A deeply engaging and fascinating exploration of one of the timeless questions of science and philosophy

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Annaka has such a sharp mind and I love her laugh very much…this book is a brilliantly creative and coherent way of presenting us with incredibly complex ideas

Annaka has a delicious laugh

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I liked the overall approach, and audio documentary. I had a few of those "wow" moments one gets conceptualizing the reality of reality, but only a few throughout. Not in every chapter. I liked the debriefing with the editor idea, so there was chat with a non-expert to gather ones thoughts. But somewhere along the way, I didn't quite grasp the entire outline that was being sketched or follow AH's thought evolution fully. But I still had some very interesting listens whilst hiking or tidying my apartment!

Good for pondering the hard problem in interesting ways.

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Each chapter features compelling new voices joining the search party. Rigorously experiential dodging skyhooks.

Made more accessible and relatable through Harris’s behind the scenes interventions in the arc, revealing her own learning journey and shifting beliefs as crane. Chapter 4 best experienced on a walk outdoors. Exceptional also for its sound design bringing the production to life.

Reads like a whodunnit detective novel, where illusion of self is the crime and the search is for motive.

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great audiobook with many alternative perspectives explored. I only with the notes they make reference to so many times were availabe on audible as an attached pdf.

understanding from all angles

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I can't wait to follow Annaka's journey further into the mystery of consciousness. It's a journey we all should take part in.

Love it

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