http://www.dannybelkin.com Futurism, Technology, Parenthood, and whatever else is on my mind at the moment. Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:07:31 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc http://www.dannybelkin.com/articles/evolution-and-the-internet-towards-a-networked-humanity/comment-page-1/#comment-4311 Danny Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:21:33 +0000 http://www.dannybelkin.com/?page_id=10#comment-4311 The possible routes to the emergence of this evolutionary series of events are indeed some of the most intriguing aspects I've been thinking of. What I do think inevitable is, as you correctly point out, that there will be conflict over where the related technological trends are leading, whether they are "right" from a moral, religious and humanistic point of view (among many others), and whether different groups should adopt this. What does seem to me inevitable is that evolution will win out - it always does, that's nature. Whether it will be via an emergent artificial superintelligence taking over the world; humans networking their brains into a single consciousness via electronic communications; or any combination thereof (with or without a part of humanity remaining outside this advance), this does not matter - the next phase in evolution will emerge whether we "want" it or not - either we can be involved as an integral part or be observers as our creation makes the leap, leaving us behind. I also agree that there is a substantial moral aspect here - is it right that vin a meshed mega-organism certain linked individuals "control" others? Is this not just a mean of control? Well - yes and no - control is necessary to steer an organism to survive and prosper. It is no different from saying that some cells in our body "control" others - the combined consciousness is in control and determines what is right or wrong. Finally, regarding evolution "on information": every aspect of our modern life, or indeed any life, is based on information flow, whether through massive electronic networks or within our brains and nervous system. Information feeds the downstream actions we do, and the actions taken by all organisms. It can not be detached from its consequences in the "real" world, and thus evolution can definitely be driven by it. The possible routes to the emergence of this evolutionary series of events are indeed some of the most intriguing aspects I’ve been thinking of. What I do think inevitable is, as you correctly point out, that there will be conflict over where the related technological trends are leading, whether they are “right” from a moral, religious and humanistic point of view (among many others), and whether different groups should adopt this.
What does seem to me inevitable is that evolution will win out – it always does, that’s nature. Whether it will be via an emergent artificial superintelligence taking over the world; humans networking their brains into a single consciousness via electronic communications; or any combination thereof (with or without a part of humanity remaining outside this advance), this does not matter – the next phase in evolution will emerge whether we “want” it or not – either we can be involved as an integral part or be observers as our creation makes the leap, leaving us behind.
I also agree that there is a substantial moral aspect here – is it right that vin a meshed mega-organism certain linked individuals “control” others? Is this not just a mean of control? Well – yes and no – control is necessary to steer an organism to survive and prosper. It is no different from saying that some cells in our body “control” others – the combined consciousness is in control and determines what is right or wrong.
Finally, regarding evolution “on information”: every aspect of our modern life, or indeed any life, is based on information flow, whether through massive electronic networks or within our brains and nervous system. Information feeds the downstream actions we do, and the actions taken by all organisms. It can not be detached from its consequences in the “real” world, and thus evolution can definitely be driven by it.

]]> http://www.dannybelkin.com/articles/evolution-and-the-internet-towards-a-networked-humanity/comment-page-1/#comment-4306 Lain: Serial Experiments Sun, 18 Jul 2010 19:13:43 +0000 http://www.dannybelkin.com/?page_id=10#comment-4306 You say this evolution is inevitable and required, but can't you see the major flaws in this? Humanity will always find a way to take advantage of the weaker ones, this sounds like a extremely easy way to control large masses of people, even more so than now! No doubt this shared information will be filtered-- how can humanity evolve on only pieces of information? This isn't 'evolution' if humanity is not united as a whole on the decision of this, it's more of a takeover. You say this evolution is inevitable and required, but can’t you see the major flaws in this? Humanity will always find a way to take advantage of the weaker ones, this sounds like a extremely easy way to control large masses of people, even more so than now! No doubt this shared information will be filtered– how can humanity evolve on only pieces of information? This isn’t ‘evolution’ if humanity is not united as a whole on the decision of this, it’s more of a takeover.

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