A brain cell alone does not produce consciousness. That takes a neural network of sufficent complexity. Consciousness is not a single thing, but a collection of attributes and abilities, sight, hearing, smell, feel, thought, etc, where each and every attribute or ability is related to brain function, and can be lost if that organ or region of the brain is damaged.
There is no proof of mind or consciousness outside of a functioning brain. If the brain malfunctions, consciousness suffers loss of function.
Hoffman is speculating. He is spruiking a hypothesis that has no real evidence, yet alone 'proof'.... a word that tends to be used by enthusiasts.
