What does it mean to be conscious—of the world, of yourself—and where does consciousness come from? These are the fascinating questions author MICHAEL POLLAN explores in his wondrous new book, A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness. For over three decades, we have been the beneficiaries of Pollan’s indefatigable curiosity about everything from food and farming to mind-altering drugs. Now comes his provocative and personal look into consciousness itself and what makes us human. In conversation with SVWC Literary Director JOHN BURNHAM SCHWARTZ, Pollan will talk about the scientists and seekers he interviewed for the book and how, in our hectic lives, we need to clear space in our consciousness in order to perceive the world and our connection to it—and to each other.