My Brain on the Internet
Posted on:: October 7th, 2002
Someone heard me on CNET radio over the weekend and was stimulated to send me an email suggesting that the Internet is becoming conscious. I think the Internet lacks two essential ingredients: First, consciousness has everything to do with the ability to pay attention, and attention requires that we care about ourselves and our world. Second, consciousness needs a body because thought isn’t a formal process. Nevertheless, there are some important ways in which the Internet and consciousness are similar. For example:
| My Brain | My Brain on the Internet |
| Can’t remember names and places | Can’t remember which fake names I used at which places |
| Only utilizes 10% of capacity | Has only downloaded 10% of available porn |
| Thinks about sex every 7 seconds | Receives spam about sex every 7 seconds |
| Damaged by excessive drug use in the ’60s | Damaged by excessive dancing hampsters in the ’90s |
| Frequently can’t get a tune out of my head | Frequently can’t get Real Player off of my desktop |
| Not sure where Nigeria is exactly | No need to know where Nigeria is so long as the email with my bank account number arrives in time |
| “Little voice” urges me to do what’s right. | “Little voice” urges me to install spy cameras. |
Categories: Uncategorized dw
