I'm not familiar with Lanza's work, but this sounds like panpsychism, except that instead of matter giving rise to consciousness, consciousness gives rise to matter.

I think all the various theories about consciousness are interesting, but I don't think it's worth my time to learn any more about it, for one simple reason -- we just don't know yet. Scientifically speaking, we know basically nothing.

For the scientists and philosophers studying the problem of consciousness, this represents a fascinating Wild West of inquiry. Good for them! For me, though, a layperson who wants to know what there is to know, all it means is... there's nothing here to know, not yet, and I'm better off looking elsewhere.

Maybe I'll come back to studying consciousness, but right now, I want to solidify my understanding of what is known before moving on to what is unknown.