This book is based on an in-depth filmed conversation between Howard Burton and Jonathan Schooler, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara. This wide-ranging conversation examines how mind-wandering can serve as a window into the psychological world of meta-awareness. further topics include the nature of consciousness, mindfulness, creativity, free will, verbal overshadowing and more. This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Back to the Future, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter : I. Meta-Beginnings - Grappling with universal vagueness II. Getting Precise - Definition and measurements III. Brain-Wandering? - What’s happening inside IV. Creativity - Mind-wandering’s upside V. Responses - Views from the other side VI. On the Wild Side - Free will and multiple universes VII. Outstanding Issues - From the Decline Effect to an encouraging universe About Ideas Roadshow Conversations: This book is part of an expanding series of 100+ Ideas Roadshow conversations, each one presenting a wealth of candid insights from a leading expert through a focused yet informal setting to give non-specialists a uniquely accessible window into frontline research and scholarship that wouldn't otherwise be encountered through standard lectures and textbooks.