This is what I think is going to hold us back. The worry, perhaps subconsciously, of discovering that consciousness is much less complex and exceptional than we might want it to be.

I have this inkling because I see a pattern: people, even incredibly smart people, explaining it away with a “but that would diminish the exceptionality of our own minds!” type of argument.

I’m struggling for the right words. Specialness, maybe? That people have this need to think that it’s special and not so easily replicated. And if it’s rather simple then it surely must not be the same because that wouldn’t be special.