What Maria Popova thinks about consciousness

@maria-popova · 9 positions · On ppll ↗

Writer and founder of The Marginalian, a reader-funded blog on books, science, art and philosophy.

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Only Maria Popova on consciousness. See everyone on consciousness

1 dated position, 2026, in their own words. Our reading of what Maria Popova has said — not written or endorsed by them.

1 position so far — this page is not yet offered to search engines.

27 Sept 2026

Our readingHuman self-awareness makes mere survival feel unsatisfying rather than sufficient.

Their wordslife stares mutely back at us, immense and indifferent, having abled us with opposable thumbs and handicapped us with a consciousness capable of self-reference that renders us dissatisfied with the banality of mere survival.

↗The Weasel and the Meaning of It All: Annie Dillard on How to Livethemarginalian.org 1st of 2 in this piece