Donald Hoffman is a cognitive scientist and professor at the University  of California, Irvine with an interest in the nature of consciousness.  His interface theory of perception postulates that our everyday  experience of space, time and physical objects is a 'user interface'  constructed within our minds. Objects of perception experienced within  this interface are simplified representations of a much deeper reality.  

In his theory of Conscious Realism, the reality beyond our 'user  interface' is a reality of consciousness organised into an infinite network of 'Conscious Agents' of which we are all a part. This reality  of conscious agents exists outside of space and time. 

In this episode we  discuss his theories and what their possible implications are if they turn out to be correct.  Donald is but one of a growing number of scientists, philosophers and  public intellectuals who are starting to take seriously the notion that  consciousness is more than the product of brain activity and may be a  fundamental feature of, or the very nature of, the universe itself.