As I’ve read more about Fedrico Faggin’s theories about human consciousness, I’ve reached one, undeniable conclusion: he is either crazy or he’s an absolute genius. I tend to believe it’s the latter. His theories resonate with me at a deep level. For me, his ideas need to be heard and pondered multiple times to even begin to piece together what he’s saying.

Here is another interview, one where he lays out as clearly as I’ve heard him describe it anywhere, what his theory is. If he hadn’t already made the kind of indisputably amazing breakthroughs in the material and physical world, I would probably be less open to his theories on quantum physics and human consciousness. His accomplishments in the fields of technology are indisputable, and I believe he has earned the right, based on his track record, to have his ideas regarding human consciousness taken seriously. Plus, my admittedly laymen’s study of modern day physicists and their conventional views regarding human consciousness seem completely insufficient to explain what each of us feel on a religious and spiritual level. The idea that we live in a materialistic, deterministic universe, one without any meaning beyond the material world, fall far short of what each of us who are even slightly open-minded believe about what we are and our purpose in life.

As with all scientific theories, his have a very significant chance of being falsified and seeming laughably wrong by people in the future who have the benefit of more time and information than we have access to now. So his theory is obviously a long-shot. But, every great breakthrough in science and religion started somewhere with someone making seemingly incredible claims. I’d be hard pressed to think of any single person right now who has a better argument for a theory that, if validated, would have massive, paradigm-shattering effect on every aspect of human life, and everything that we believe about our universe. Just coming up with the theory he’s discussing is amazing, and shows an incredible mind and incredible creativity, even if it ultimately ends up being incorrect.

As human beings, we’re often afraid to open our minds up to new, revolutionary ideas like this. It is totally understandable why. Paradigm shifting ideas like this are scary. But his ideas remind me of some of the biggest scientific theories and breakthroughs of all time. Theories like General Relativity, the Germ Theory of Disease, Quantum Mechanics, Heliocentric Theory, and the Theory of Evolution would all take a back seat to his theory of human consciousness if it were proven to be true. That, I find truly mind-blowing.

One last thing I’ll say; I didn’t just stumble onto his theory and think that is sounded legitimate out or the blue. His theory fits into so many other books and ideas that I’ve already believed that align with what he’s saying. Many religious and scientific ideas that I already believe are linked together with his theory. Call me a heretic if you will, but I find his courage, creativity, and originality amazing and credible. After all, he already had a spotless reputation before he came up with this theory. He risks having his reputation tarnished tremendously if it all ends up being completely wrong.

Despite all this, he chose to dedicate the rest of his life to this theory, and if it ends up being true, it will make the invention of the first microprocessor and the touchscreen seem completely irrelevant in comparison. How can one not admire the courage he’s displaying by tackling the biggest question that all thinking men have wrestled with at one time or another throughout human history? The one question that science and religion have been trying to understand for all of recorded human history.

In any case, I find the topic completely fascinating. And I’ll paraphrase a line that I’ve heard before: “I’d rather keep company with men who ask questions that can’t be answered than with men who’s answers can’t be questioned.”

Here is the video: