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The problem for me with Vlatko Vedral's beautiful new vision of reality is that all theories about the world in which we find ourselves are created by observers proposing ideas. Examination of those ideas by other observers (i.e. the use of the scientific method) winnows them to those that pass the tests ( 1 November, …

I agree with Vedral that space and time don't exist, but I don't believe we can explain reality in any meaningful way without particles because, for any sentient organism, reality is its understanding of itself and anything outside itself as perceived by its senses. It may be argued that atoms and subatomic particles are minute …

Further to your exploration of the wide variety of ideas about consciousness, biological consciousness is the only one we know exists. It is most likely to have come from an evolutionary process that involves reaction to stimuli, which allows entities to find energy sources. As such, levels of awareness in the biological world range from …

I cannot believe we are still debating consciousness. For self-preservation, we must be conscious of where we are and what's happening around us. Our sense of sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch etc. all help us survive any danger that might threaten us. We must be conscious, therefore, when we use these senses. It seems to …

To reduce the problem of old satellites releasing pollution when they burn up in the atmosphere, it should be internationally mandated that every satellite keeps enough reserve fuel to move it into a designated "capture orbit". Small rocket drones could refuel still functioning satellites if needed using universal connectors or collect them for delivery to …

David Aldred's suggestion to burn the money gained by criminal means could lead to unpleasant socioeconomic consequences. Money isn't an asset per se. It is more like a share certificate that entitles you to a fraction of society's actual assets (like food, houses or magazines). Just as the value of a share certificate can be …

I read James Wong's article on the use of capsaicin to deter mammals from damaging gardens with great interest. Recent development where I live has resulted in an overpopulation of eastern meadow voles. I noticed that these voles have been happy to eat the accessible parts of jalapeño peppers in the raised vegetable beds in …

In 1965, I started postgraduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During a presentation on a new degree programme in bioengineering, the speaker apologised that a short course in biology would be required, saying that it was trivial for engineers to pick up the biology basics, but, of course, you couldn't expect a biologist …

While bamboo might be a possible candidate as a renewable source of plastic, I hope no one decides to start growing bamboo on their own in the hope of starting a lucrative business ( 18 October, p 15 ). Its rapid growth rate, while adding to its attractiveness as a renewable source, is accompanied by …

The nanodiscs in a new kind of e-paper reflect light and each one's brightness can be varied by a brief electrical pulse that places ions inside the disc (1 November, p 12).