Does the internet count as a form of collective mind? People share information back and forth and cooperate to solve problems. Sites like Yahoo and the open-source coding projects are the best examples. If it does not count yet, could it eventually progress to the point that the boundaries between one mind and another are essentially erased? Once information sharing is truly effortless, would our individuality slip away?
2006-11-07 05:15:30 · 10 answers · asked by Acraz 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Nah.. just check all the fighting that goes onn haha People will always have differing opinions.
2006-11-07 05:24:28 · answer #1 · answered by appletini7 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I think it does count as a form of collective mind. The Internet will one day contain the sum total of human knowledge that is in the public domain (if it doesn't already). If there's a question I want to ask whose answer is not in the domain of private thought or experience, then the Internet, viz., other minds collectively, will give me the answer. I see it as some new form of intelligence that is in the early stages of its evolution. It won't be too long before we can access it verbally or even by thought.
It will never take away our individuality, though. The information on the Internet is only there because people do actually choose to put it there. Every individual will always have their own private thoughts and feelings unless we end up in some science-fiction nightmare.
2006-11-07 06:25:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is one hell of a good question...... what you are proposing as possible or maybe even likely also makes me wonder.
Thing is, the abrubt change that something like that would produce if it did in fact occurr would have so many equally unexpected and sudden consequences from a sociological point of view that there wouldn't be enough time -and necessary measures- for it to come through all the way. I think that for once, if it came to that, people would realize -collectively, alas- that that step should never be taken. Intead, they'd stay on the step immediately previous to that, which would hypothetically be an unthinkable social homogeneity, and attempt to maintain it for as long as possible without significant social rupture. In other words, they'd be like the junkie who towards the end of life simply estimates the deadly dose and then just uses a little less in the shot; best possible high, for sure, but next time, or the following, but sometime for sure, he'll miscalcultate, and that'll be that.
KABOOM
2006-11-07 05:27:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK this is a really weird answer.
I suppose the Internet could be called a collection of minds. Personally I don't believe it will replace individuality. Someone may tell me that the weather in the UK is often rainy but until I experience it for myself it's still only a source of information. Thus my individual experiences will always be here. -----I think I just lost myself with this thought. ; )
2006-11-07 05:27:17 · answer #4 · answered by what can i do 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't think so.
When you are in Yahoo! or something you just get information, nothinng more. Of course we can create some kind of "information field" (is this a correct term?) but we are not the same person.
To be sure I recommend you to turn off your computer, stand up, put on your coat and go out with your friends.
Humans are individuals. You'll see it
2006-11-07 05:26:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
i think people are sharing opinions more than their "specific" knowledge if you will. at the most they are sharing common knowledge and may be able to provide some insight but thats about it. just you and I would talk if we were in front of each other, same way this medium is used to communicate. only this takes longer time.
Cheers!!
2006-11-07 06:03:50 · answer #6 · answered by vick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually it's a great question. Another great question, an allied one, is "Are humans a preliminary stage in the evolution of the machine?" I personally suspect that the answer to both these questions is "Yes."
2006-11-07 05:46:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No our individuality would no more be threatened than it already is. The internet however is the greatest tool democracy has gained every since the vote.
2006-11-07 05:18:55 · answer #8 · answered by St.Anger 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No they would not!Poeple{most}Do this to pass time and try to give someone a helpful anwser,So THEY can make their own Decision!Hollywood
2006-11-07 05:50:44 · answer #9 · answered by hollywood 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
everyone is doing something to help everyone else any way if you were doing your own thingyou would know what evryones doing. like why would i start useing something to represent something else like a word
2006-11-07 06:01:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋