Humans are unique in evolving recursive language. Consciousness is a recursive agent: observe me observing the world, several layers deep. Likely the exact same mutation / brain structure backs both mechanisms.
Neither electrons, nor the Universe, are recursive agents. Maybe some of the Devil's apprentices playing with reinforcement learning AI will inadvertently create a non-human consciousness, but other than that, humans are special.
Neither electrons, nor the Universe, are recursive agents. Maybe some of the Devil's apprentices playing with reinforcement learning AI will inadvertently create a non-human consciousness, but other than that, humans are special.