I propose defining "consciousness" as an observed phenomenon (i.e. a coherent structure operating with a distinct sense of individualized self)
and "awareness" as the experience of the observer (i.e. the verb "to experience" itself)
because yeah, if we're talking about "the silent observer" *experiencing* the conscious self, then we have to allow for that same distinction in the other too, yeah?
so: awareness can treat consciousness as a harness for experience
might be most useful for me to just say "I happen to be looking through this particular apparatus right now, and I do not know if others are looking too, from this one or from others, but the apparatus I am looking through does not seem to be unique, and I seem to have some influence over factors that contribute to the well-being of the individual and of the group, so in the absence of clarity around who or what my peers are... is the best thing I can do to care for the space and see what happens next?"
maybe we can think of consciousness as the fundamental building material
consciousness: any coherent arrangement of known/knowable/unknown with the demonstrated ability to maintain its own coherence
?