Consciousness is an emergent property of sufficiently complex systems which meet certain (as yet unknown) requirements. Something as simple as a fundamental particle cannot be conscious. I can't imagine any definition of consciousness which would be suitable for an electron. Is an anthill conscious? A mycelium network? Is a city? Is the universe as a whole? I think these are decent questions. Is a brick conscious? No. My kettle? No. Fundamental particles? Absolutely not.,(reply>), @zack whitehead How do you know that Photons don't experience time?,(reply>), Yeah, I can even buy trees and mushrooms, but photons literally don't experience time. It's recreational contrarianism.