I believe that consciousness works as a layer of systems. The lowest systems react fastest but to a small, well known set of stimuli. More unexpected stimuli tr

I believe that consciousness works as a layer of systems. The lowest systems react fastest but to a small, well known set of stimuli. More unexpected stimuli trigger higher layers until really unexpected things trigger the slowest, full conscious layer for deep decision making. Hence why you can feel like you're on autopilot when you're doing something you're experienced in such as driving. It's resllt a system designed to cope with a world that changes too fast to get engrained in our genes. Also read Blindsight