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The Global Brain Concept
In 1983 Russell proposed a Global Brain that might emerge from a worldwide network of humans who were highly connected through communications. He based his argument on the observation that throughout evolution qualitative transitions to a new level of organization have been observed to occur in several instances where a system attains approximately 10 billion (ten to the tenth power) units that are tightly but flexibly coupled. Examples include the number of atoms in a bio-molecule, the number of molecules in a cell, and the number of cells in the cortex of the human brain. Since the world population (5.7 billion, 1994) is within an order of magnitude of ten to the tenth and growing, the threshold for a new level of organization, by his arguments, could be reached soon. Thus Russell saw the network of interconnected humans forming a Global Brain; we expand the concept to include computers -- not only as communication links between humans, as Russell used them, but as active information-processors alongside humans. Simulations in this environment will have to include life-like, agent based elements. ------- [Santa Fe Institution]

Great minds, great vision. Putting blog, neural networks and social software together, we can imagine a real Global Brain is emerging. However, what's the mind in this brain? It's a "God" or "Evil"? Who can forsee the future of human beings? Is it green or grey? ......