You triggered some observations that I have been mulling over for a while.
Today is a rest day while I recuperate from some minor surgery, so I give
myself the luxury of indulgence ...
1. Consider that there is already global collective intelligence.
[clearly not the one that we are dreaming of, but one that is perhaps
already in place]. I am not proposing this as a fact, I am proposing it as
something to consider.
2. If we were the neurons of a global collective intelligence, would we be
aware of it, and would it matter one way or the other whether we were? For
that matter, would this "collective intelligence" be aware of us, and would
it matter one way or the other whether it (or they) did? [Terminology
point: differentiation of collective intelligence from collective
consciousness is worth considering too. And wondering just what the
conscious attention would be on. Us? Seems unlikely. I don't know about
you, but I don't even know how to contemplate my neurons, and I'm certainly
not moved to do it. Is it even possible?]
3. One of the things that fascinate me about the theory of evolution, and
the theory of economics, for a system closer to the one that we may be
looking for in this conversation, seems to be the following. If the real
world provides a valid interpretation of those (macro-) theories, then it is
irrelevant whether we individuals are aware of those theories or not, and it
is irrelevant whether we believe them or not, cooperate with them or not
(whatever that could mean), and so on. (Consider that there has been no
"escape" from evolution. Consider that the theory of evolution applies just
fine. Why do we find that idea objectionable? Consider that it doesn't
make any difference -- in the framework of evolution -- whether we do or
not.)
4. Consider the prospects for the neurons of a collective intelligence
actively controlling the emergence of the collective intelligence through
their apparent autonomous behavior. I notice that we have this conceit that
the forces of evolution are somehow in our hands (and that the "natural" and
the "artificial" are different, etc.). It would appear that our having a
theory of economics has led to some kind of economic efficiency in the
world, yet I am distrustful of that. (I have been noticing externalities,
for example, at the household level and how, in my household, there is
excessive use of the automobile, lack of commitment around recycling,
cleaning up ones own mess, and so on, although it is clear what, by
extension, the inevitable global consequences are. Self-indulgence is
winning, referenced to my local view of things. Moving externalities to
others is not merely malignant corporate behavior, by a long shot. The
practice is internalized far more locally, in my experience.)
5. Finally, I notice that the example given seems to be one of finding
dispersed communities of common interest. I can support this as a precursor
to finding a basis for coordinated action. It might not be a prerequisite.
And it certainly doesn't ensure that consequence, or that the consequence
will be one that is desired by the global community. (Consider the use of
the Internet to bring together so-called hate groups and other people whose
activities are not acceptable in their societies.)
6. I am not proposing that there is no basis for action, or that there isn't
cooperative activity that can make a difference at the global level. I do
think it is very important to get a grip on the background assumptions and
agendas that we don't bother to state. And be very careful about anything
we give tacit acceptance as a silver bullet.
7. I notice that I am moved to speak in this ongoing collective
conversation. My hand is in the air and I am grabbing for the chalk.
Consider that, whether we can ever be aware of collective intelligence (or
collective consciousness), everything anyone has to offer to the human
conversation matters, and it matters that we speak up. Consider that every
neuron matters, even when it doesn't mean anything to the existence of the
collective intelligence how the neurons get there. It will have the neurons
it has.
8. Neurons arise and be organized. You have nothing to lose but your
synapses!
-- Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: univers immedia [mailto:universimmedia@wanadoo.fr]
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2001 01:59
To: unrev-II@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [unrev-II] about synergy
Eric
[ ... ]
So we have to build that global collective intelligence we are
dreaming of. We have no choice.
[ ... ]
Individual cells, sometime very far away in the past, have escaped the
darwinian laws and built organisms and living brains.
If human beings can't achieve what their far monocellular ancestors did
achieve a billion years ago, well, tell me about evolution :)
[ ... ]
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