Donald Hoffman, Cognitive Psychologist and Science Author, has proposed a theory of consciousness that challenges your everyday assumptions about what reality is. His argument is that our perceptions of cause and effect and what we experience in the physical world isn’t as real as you’d like to think. The metaphor of the virtual headset he uses in these conversations with Tom explains why our experiences are limited and there are things like freewill that we never truly experience. If that’s not heavy enough for you, Hoffman bring mathematical equations into the picture to explain that all consciousness is mathematically structured. This episode is a complete crash course into the world of Donald Hoffman and the illusion of space, time and reality. Some areas you’ll hear explored in this episode include: Is Cause and effect real? The God hypothesis and consciousness Why your reality isn’t real The Truth behind consciousness How evolution hides the matrix (and what’s the red pill) Testing reality & spacetime Can you actually escape the matrix? Do you think it’s possible life is a simulation and we’re in some version of a virtual reality headset? Follow Donald Hoffman: Website:http://www.cogsci.uci.edu/~ddhoff/  Email: ddhoff@uci.edu  Twitter: https://twitter.com/donalddhoffman  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donalddhoffman/  SPONSORS: Get 5 free AG1 Travel Packs and a FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D with your first purchase at https://bit.ly/AG1Impact. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://bit.ly/ShopifyImpact and supercharge your business! Get FREE GROUND BEEF FOR LIFE plus $20 off your first box at https://bit.ly/ButcherBoxImpact. Get 55% off at https://bit.ly/BabbelImpact and learn a new language today! Are You Ready for EXTRA Impact? If you’re ready to find true fulfillment, strengthen your focus, and ignite your true potential, the Impact Theory subscription was created just for you. Want to transform your health, sharpen your mindset, improve your relationship, or conquer the business world? This is your epicenter of greatness.  This is not for the faint of heart. This is for those who dare to learn obsessively, every day, day after day. Subscription Benefits: Unlock the gates to a treasure trove of wisdom from inspiring guests like Andrew Huberman, Mel Robbins, Hal Elrod, Matthew McConaughey, and many, many, more New episodes delivered ad-free Exclusive access to Tom’s AMAs, keynote speeches, and suggestions from his personal reading list You’ll also get access to an 5 additional podcasts with hundreds of archived Impact Theory episodes, meticulously curated into themed playlists covering health, mindset, business, relationships, and more: Legendary Mindset: Mindset & Self-Improvement Money Mindset: Business & Finance Relationship Theory: Relationships Health Theory: Mental & Physical Health Power Ups: Weekly Doses of Short Motivational Quotes  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PCvJaz Subscribe on all other platforms (Google Podcasts, Spotify, Castro, Downcast, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Podcast Addict, Podcast Republic, Podkicker, and more) : https://impacttheorynetwork.supercast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices