BasketweaverJesser - she's just writing down what she's thinking about. If everyone who did that had a personality disorder, I think every member of Fiction Press would be in trouble, don't you agree?

That made me smile. You're thinking of it in a very literal sense. Of course, you're right. But surely it's like answering the question, "do you have a life?" by saying "Of course I do - I'm living, I'm breathing." Though some things can be thought of literally, it is admittedly also in reference to being conscious of yourself.

So surely if you're being conscious of yourself you are, yes, conscious of pain, or thoughts. But as usual the majority of people can't be swayed to that, so it's accepted as a definition of being conscious of your physical appearance.

Anyway, I think this is a good point, but if anyone thought about it - they could look up the definition in the dictionary.

self-con·sciousadj. Aware of oneself as an individual or of one's own being, actions, or thoughts. Socially ill at ease: The self-conscious teenager sat alone during lunch. Excessively conscious of one's appearance or manner: The self-conscious actor kept fixing his hair. Showing the effects of self-consciousness; stilted: self-conscious prose.

"Aware of oneself as an individual or of one's own being, actions, or thoughts." That covers the majority of what you were saying.

Plus, you can't be wrong, because you're literally writing down the meaning of the word. If anyone says you're wrong - they're obviously not grasping the point of what you're saying. I liked reading that. ;]

(Sorry this was so long).

good points.. lots of them... i'm thinking of posting my own thoughts on such...:)

I don't think you are wrong at all. Now that you mention it I think that the term has become to limited. I never thought of it before, but you bring up a good point. I love things like this because I think about things like this a lot. It's nice to know sombody else thinks these kinds of things too. Good job, nicely done!

You seriously must have a personality disorder if you're writing crap about the true definition of "Selfconscious" (sentience). My doctor is Michael Reid at Valley Mental Health in Salt Lake City. You might want to go see him.
BasketweaverJesser
P.S.
I agree with mister Tiefling.

'What is selfconscious?' Well, for starters, it's not a noun. That would be 'self consciousness'.
'What does it mean to be self-conscious? Most people think of being self-conscious as being embarrassed about your appearance or something that you've done. Of course, sometimes that's what being self-conscious is.'
That's what the expression means, in common usage, rather than the literal meaning you suggest.