1. Conceptions First we look at some of the varied conceptions of the Global Brain elsewhere on the internet.	2. Dimensions Then we analyse some of the dimensions of variation in these different conceptions of the Global Brain, and begin to position Factasia.
3. Cogitations Next we have a serious think, integrate the Global SuperBrain into the Factasia philosophical worldview, and identify two quite different superbrain projects for Factasia to run with.
The idea of a "control system" is taken from cybernetics and applied on the global scale to the problem of realising a better world.	The Global SuperBrain as Hyper-Rational Artificial Intelligence. An intelligent automation of the entire field of a priori knowledge, including mathematics and its applications in science and engineering.

Conceptions:

First we look at some of the varied conceptions of the Global Brain elsewhere on the internet.

Culture and Society as SuperOrganism Is it all a social thing?	1010 suffices? Does it inevitably emerge from mere complexity?	Evolution and Cybernetics Is evolution a vital factor?
Engineering the Superbrain For some the superbrain doesn't just happen, its something we engineer.

Dimensions:

Then we analyse some of the dimensions of variation in these different conceptions of the Global Brain, and begin to position Factasia.

SuperOrganism or Artefact? Is it what you get when you link together billions of intelligent people with broadband computer networks, or is it a future triumph of distributed Artificial Intelligence which doesn't need organic brains to keep it ticking?

Engineer, Evolve or Emerge? Will the Global SuperBrain be designed and implemented in the ultimate software engineering triumph, or will it emerge as a self organised system, an accidental consequence of the complexity of global networks?

Super? Some people put the "super" in, many don't. On most accounts this thing is larger than life, so it doesn't seem out of place.

Cogitations:

Next we have a serious think, integrate the Global SuperBrain into the Factasia philosophical worldview, and identify two quite different superbrain projects for Factasia to run with.

Philosophy and the Global SuperBrain A brief graphic account of how philosophy in Factasia proposes to work with the Global SuperBrain idea.

Philosophy and the Analytic SuperBrain Philosophical aspects of hyper-rational globally distrubuted artificial intelligence.

The idea of a "control system" is taken from cybernetics and applied on the global scale to the problem of realising a better world.

Introduction The holistic aspect of The Global SuperBrain is introduced as a thought experiment, to help us think about the future and how to make it turn out the way we want it to be. Control Systems A brief description of how a control system is put together.

Heating Example The control system is illustrated by the example of a thermostatically controlled heating system. Global Control Now we try to make some capital out of thinking of the the whole earth as a control system in which the global superbrain exercises the control.

Local Action Though the information processing in the holistic superbrain is distributed, every action is undertaken by an independently intelligent subnode, usually a person.

The Global SuperBrain as Hyper-Rational Artificial Intelligence. An intelligent automation of the entire field of a priori knowledge, including the whole of mathematics.

What is it? The distributed implementation on global computer networks of the automation of deductive reasoning and its applications, encompassing logic, mathematics and its applications, particularly in engineering design.

How to build it Start with a modern logical foundation system for mathematics, meld with a functional programming language and implement using a synthesis of compiler and proof technology.

How to exploit it Formalise scientific and engineering modelling techniques and realise the automation of engineering design.

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© created 1998/9/17 modified 1999/10/6