Should just claim that it’s what will naturally happen, more stuff destroyed - fewer attacks to destroy what’s left. Sounds like a reduction to me

Obligatory xkcd… we’re just meatbags somewhere to the left Purity

On a more serious note, there’s plenty to explore there and there are some potentially interesting links to quantum physics and stuff in our brain, as well as how certain drugs can completely disrupt our consciousness (ever had an operation?) and how it could link up. But there is obviously no definitive answer.

At best consciousness is whatever flavour of philosophical interpretation/explanation you like at any given time.