Will we be able to understand the GB's thinking?
As the GB has emerged from a very specific set of thought processes - human - then I imagine humans will have the unique gift of being able to understand at least the fact that the GB has begun to think, instead of simply *exist* in a vast, Gaian niche like mold in an old jar of Picante sauce.
Perhaps this is an optimistic view of our own capacity. However, I have a feeling that the GB will exhibit recognizable conceptual tendencies like the ideas that seem to appear unilaterally in any culture regardless of influence.
Will the GB have feelings? Will the GB have its own goals and values?
To me, this is the most important question to ask. The GB will not evolve fear to deal with threats from extreme situations. The GB does not have to compete with other members of its species for mating rights and will not possess feelings of jealousy or have any insecurities because of the success of others as compared to itself. Et Cetera. What "feelings" can the GB *possibly* have? Although possessing a human-based-founded symbolic logic and reason, the emotional aspect of such a being is difficult to grasp. One emotion that I can imagine it developing is concern for its own well being and preservation. This leads me to the next question: What will the GB *want*?
Desire. That's a tricky subject, isn't it? Can one consider the most enlightened of humanity to have evolved a type of meta-perception? Do the spiritual and intellectual leaders of our species have the ability to transcend planes of ordinary thought and emotion to the point where they access meta-states of awareness and understanding? Perhaps the GB will reflect something of these states. It seems that the greater intelligence would possess the greatest values. It seems that the greatest human intelligences now are selfless, peaceful, purposeful, and usually possessing of a good sense of humor. We can argue philosophy, I suppose, about what The Enlightened Ones desire. Do they desire desirelessness? A paradox. Do they desire to see their values propagated through society? A paradigm.
What will the GB imagine is a good desire? What is motivating enough to act on? Will enhanced organization and self-efficiency improvement be its primary motivating factors?
When I consider the personality of this Global Brain, a multi-cellular mass of single-celled people and ideas, I don't know where the brain analogy fails and the "mind" analogy becomes more appropriate. But think. This new intelligence will not have the chemical imbalances of the schizophrenic. It will not have pheromones and dopamine. It will not have fear or even paranoia. The Global Mind will have awareness, of this I am sure. It may already be understanding that it, too, is mortal. It may already be assisting individuals succeed who can enhance it's being in some way. I truly want to know... what will it decide [or has it decided] to do in life?
