John Horgan is a top-notch science journalist, but he's looking toward consciousness research to discover where science is heading.

Join Skeptiko host Alex Tsakiris for an interview with science writer and author John Horgan:

John Horgan: I think consciousness studies is the most exciting frontier in science right now. I’m really burned out on cosmology and particle physics. They’re still peddling multiverses and string theory and it seems stale... and I don’t even think it’s very scientific. But, by default, I still am a materialist to the extent that I think if there will be understanding of consciousness, and mind in general, it will come from probing the physiological underpinnings of the mind which, as far as we know, is the brain itself.

Alex Tsakiris: What I have a problem with is the fundamental assumption -- the paradigm -- "mind=brain." [This idea] that you are a biological robot in a meaningless universe. But the real thing that bugs me is we have good evidence that [this assumption] has been falsified.

And if you look at the story arc, 20 years ago no one was talking about consciousness being an emergent property of the brain (a popular theory in consciousness research suggesting your mind mysteriously emerges from the brain by some unknown process). And there wasn’t some discovery that brought that on. It was a default/fall back position, because these guys who are peddling this "consciousness is an illusion" thing, got beaten down by the data.

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John talks about where his love of science began and how the topic appealed to his quest to explore the deepest truths of the universe and consciousness.

Alex Tsakiris: Today we welcome award-winning science writer and author, John Horgan. John has written a great deal about scientific dogmatism, materialism, consciousness, and so many of the other topics we love to talk about here on Skeptiko. He’s also written several books that we’ll want to talk about in this interview including, The End of Science: Facing the Limits of Knowledge in the Twilight of the Scientific Age; Rational Mysticism: Spirituality Meets Science in the Search for Enlightenment; and The End of War. John, it’s great to have you on Skeptiko. Thanks so much for joining me.

John Horgan: Thanks for having me on, Alex.

Alex Tsakiris: First off, I have to congratulate you on this fabulous career that you’ve been able to put together. You’re really a terrific writer but as you know that doesn’t often translate into having a successful, sustainable career. I think you give hope to people who love to write and love science. Especially for people who aren’t afraid to ruffle feathers, but don’t know if there really is a path for them to be honest in their writing. So, I guess the first question is, how did a provocateur like you make it as a science writer?  And number two, is it still possible for someone to do the same?

John Horgan: I certainly hope so. Thanks for that very flattering introduction. When I got into science journalism it was in the early ‘80s, and I think I entered it as a conventional, what I call “gee-whiz” science journalist. In other words, I love science.