After developing the first commercially-produced microprocessor for Intel more than a half-century ago, physicist and engineer Federico Faggin has seen it all in the world of computing.

That is, until Federico spent many years working on creating a conscious computing experience before concluding such a thing was impossible.

Federico shares his journey from creating some of the world’s first microprocessors to a sharp detour into the mysteries of the consciousness (that began with an amazing experience during a vacation in Lake Tahoe) along with his thoughts about the creeping encroachment of artificial intelligence (AI) in everything we do, this week on Spirit Gym.

Learn more about Federico on his website and the Faggin Foundation website. Find him on social media via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X and LinkedIn.

Timestamps

8:10 Federico built the world’s first commercially produced microprocessor (the Intel 4004) in 1971.

11:32 Federico’s curiosity about consciousness blooms.

20:16 “Matter is an expression of consciousness.”

32:37 “Once you understand that consciousness is a property of quantum field and so is free will, you can begin to rethink the foundation of physics.”

43:03 What is the mind?

49:37 “A judgement is a conscious decision of a field.”

55:32 Consciousness and free will are parts of one’s spirit, not of mind or body.

1:05:40 The reality of consciousness.

1:16:33 Potential does exist.

1:27:32 “In quantum physics, the sum of the parts — which is the superposition of parts — is not the same.”

1:38:20 Panpsychism: The only explanation for solving the hard problem of consciousness.

1:44:40 “The principle of the survival of the fittest is a crime against humanity.”

1:52:51 Can AI achieve consciousness like a human?

2:01:46 Self-destruction.

2:13:35 What can humanity do collectively to bring itself back into harmony?

Resources

Irreducible by Federico Faggin

Silicon by Federico Faggin

Federico’s appearance on the Know Thyself podcast on YouTube

Hilbert space

Find more resources for this episode on our website.

Music Credit: Meet Your Heroes (444Hz) by Brave as Bears

All Rights Reserved MusicFit Records 2024

Thanks to our awesome sponsors:

Paleovalley
BiOptimizers US and BiOptimizers UK PAUL10
Organifi CHEK20
Wild Pastures

We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases using affiliate links.

What can we do on a spiritual level to change the trajectory of our world to a much more loving place?

Paul compares notes with Sean O’Laoire about the anatomy of the self and how that works with the tiny laptops in our heads this week on Spirit Gym.

Learn more about Sean and his work at his Spirits in Spacesuits website where you can learn more about his What in God’s Name is Christ Consciousness? retreat on March 23-26, 2025. Follow him on social media via Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Paul will also be hosting an exclusive Q&A session with Sean exclusively for Spirit Gym listeners at a future date so sign up for your Spirit Gym podcast membership today!

Timestamps

2:39 The Huston Smith quote that inspired a change in Paul’s perspective.

7:42 “Life is a dream that the ego is having…”

13:38 An astral level of reality.

24:14 Sean’s definition of Christ consciousness.

38:33 Sparks of the divine.

47:10 The axis of complexification.

57:36 Panentheism versus pantheism.

1:07:59 We are always outgrowing our models.

1:17:42 Paul shares a profound spiritual experience after completing his 2025 mandala.

1:24:55 Sean’s interpretation of Paul’s spiritual experience.

1:30:57 “Hallucination is a term we tend to use when we don’t understand what the f*** is happening.”

1:39:31 Stanislav Grof’s Basic Perinatal Matrices.

Resources

Setting God Free: Moving Beyond the Caricature We've Created in Our Own Image by Sean O’Laoire

Sean reveals the truth of Jesus on the Aubrey Marcus podcast

Sean discusses Christ consciousness on the Kyle Kingsbury podcast

Find more resources for this episode on our website.

Music Credit: Meet Your Heroes (444Hz) by Brave as Bears

All Rights Reserved MusicFit Records 2024

We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases using affiliate links.

Thanks to our awesome sponsors:

Paleovalley
BiOptimizers US and BiOptimizers UK PAUL10
Organifi CHEK20
Wild Pastures

We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases using affiliate links.

For most people, caffeine is their first drug of choice, and a very legal one used in everything from energy drinks and coffee to products you wouldn’t expect (think protein bars and over-the-counter pain relievers).

That over-reliance on caffeine to provide a daily boost in energy and alertness often comes at a high cost, especially if you’re addicted to it (which many people are) or metabolize it very slowly (as a majority of people do).

So, if you could find a substitute to caffeine that provides some of the same benefits but without the health problems, would you try it?

Though Paul loves his one-shot morning espresso because that is his personal threshold, beyond which he finds himself being addicted to caffeine, he has found UPDATE, an energy drink formulated with the far gentler paraxanthine, invaluable for support when working late or is in need of a little "pick-me-up" that won't lead to addiction or negative symptoms. Paul feels that UPDATE is a revolutionary drink that is a far better alternative than sweetened caffeine drinks or things that contain caffeine in general and is excited to talk with the formulators of UPDATE, Daniel Solomons and Shawn Wells, this week on Spirit Gym.

Connect with Daniel and Shawn and the UPDATE community at their website and on social media via Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, TikTok and Instagram. Learn more about Shawn and his work at his website and Zone Halo.

For Spirit Gym listeners: Save 25 percent on a 12-pack of UPDATE’s four refreshing flavors (Berry, Lime, Mandarin or Peach or a variety pack) at this website and use promo code CHEK25 at checkout. (Special offers from Spirit Gym guests are time-sensitive and at their discretion to redeem after 30 days.)

Paul will also be hosting an exclusive Q&A session with Daniel and Shawn exclusively for Spirit Gym listeners at a future date so sign up for your Spirit Gym podcast membership today!

Timestamps

1:01 Why Paul invited Daniel and Shawn to talk about UPDATE.

7:52 “I believe I was on the edge of death either intentionally committing suicide or unintentionally committing suicide through all my work.”

15:05 How much caffeine do you drink every day?

19:51 Today’s energy drinks over-fuel people.

32:03 A chemistry lesson in formulating a cleaner, healthier energy drink.

42:26 Allostasis, homeostasis and hormesis.

58:04 Experiencing the flow without the frazzle.

1:08:26 Could UPDATE be used as a supplement?

1:16:29 The combination of caffeine and paraxanthine can be problematic.

1:22:45 The deeper physical and mental implications of always being switched on.

Find more resources for this episode on our website

Thanks to our awesome sponsors:

Paleovalley
BiOptimizers US and BiOptimizers UK PAUL10
Organifi CHEK20
Wild Pastures

We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases using affiliate links.