In <D3tJ9I.Gn3 at cunews.carleton.ca> etabello at arena.carleton.ca (Elias
Tabello) writes:
>> All the Internet will ever be is an extremely complex set
>> of connected computers. It won't become "conscious" and thereby
administer
>> itself
>I think that each internet neuron should be defined as each user
>(US!), not the computer that they are using. Most computers, when
>connected to the net are simply word processers and devices to
>display, search, share information. It is the information that really
>makes the net. This information is generated by neurons which are (we
>hope) conscious; hence, the internet is an interconnection of
>conscious units: meta-consciousness.
I think consciousness has something to do with the creation of an
internal model of the external world, and also a model for oneself. The
symbols comprising this model are manipulated and the results are used
to predict outcomes of real world events. The sense of self is hard to
define but it is not a completely mystical thing.
The analogy of people networked together in a meta-consciousness like
neurons in a brain is not far fetched at all, consciousness just has to
measured impartially by the behavior of the group. One could also
suggest that this meta consciousness also exists in other media -
internet is just one method of communication. To think that man is the
only conscious entity on earth is shortsighted and unimaginative. Our
brains are systems of neurons - mankind is a system of people.
