1 Why the Global Superorganism Must Evolve a Brain l Francis Heylighen l Center Leo Apostel l Vrije Universiteit Brussel

2 The Global Superorganism Society can be seen as an organism l an autopoietic, self-maintaining system l consumes resources (input) l processes them to produce components –people, tools, building, etc. l components rebuild and develop the system l exports waste products (output) This “metabolism” requires functional subsystems These are anologous to those of a body

3 Correspondence Society-Body

4 Society as Network Society consists of interacting subsystems l people, organizations, factories, machines, … Subsystems transforms input into output l output of the one forms input of the next l each subsystem has its “suppliers” and its “customers” Subsystems from one interdependent network

5 An Autopoietic Network Environment

6 Division of Labor Components specialize in their “function” l function = produce output desired by others l more specialization  more efficiency l they must specialize to survive competition as they specialize, they become more dependent on others l lose other capabilities as they focus on one capability Result: differentiation + integration l more diverse components that more strongly cohere  the superorganism becomes more complex

7 Ephemeralization Subsystems become ever more efficient, because of: l growth of knowledge l technological support l natural selection of the “fittest”   more is produced with less l more: goods, services, food, information, speed, … l less: matter, energy, time, space, effort, … l Example: Moore’s law –more processing power, less cost

8 Reduction of friction All processes accelerate l transport of matter and energy l production of goods l delivery of services l transmission and processing of information with less dissipation, noise, waste, … Physical constraints vanish l distance, duration, material scarcity,... Globalization: transactions connect everything to everything

9 Positive effects Superorganism becomes more efficient l less dependent on its environment Range of options increases Cost diminishes, wealth increases Indirect increases in: l health, safety, knowledge, freedom, democracy... l quality of life l for most of the population

10 Negative effects Information overload Growing complexity / unpredictability of society Runaway processes Suboptimization instead of global optimization

11 Information overload Individuals get more stimuli to pay attention to l more documents, messages, services, goods, … l alll of these can potentially solve a problem Information processing capacity is limited l bounded rationality l scarcity of attention No obvious way to select just the important l every message may contain a crucial announcement  Increasing stress l anxiety, confusion, meaninglessness, poor decision- making, difficulties memorizing/ remembering, reduced attention span, …

12 Growing unpredictability / complexity Reduced friction  longer causal chains l A affects B, B affects C, C affects D, etc. high friction  transmission dissipates quickly low friction  transmission continues  many more effects and side-effects must be taken into account everything affects everything l seeming improvements may have far-away negative side effects Prediction/control become more difficult

13 Runaway processes Positive feedbacks  chain reactions l e.g. spread of AIDS, computer viruses, currency runs,... l explosive growth l only stops when resources have been exhausted Reduced friction  l faster growth l less physical barriers l more resources This makes runaway processes more dangerous l larger potential impact l more difficult to counteract in time

14 The Problem of Suboptimization Best for a part is not always best for the whole Poverty l best for the rich: not pay for the poor l best for society: reduce inequality Pollution l Global side effect of local production l e.g. best for country: not limit CO 2 production –best for planet: minimize CO 2 production A global society needs global optimization l reduced friction -> increased global side effects l avoid destructive competition between countries

15 The superorganism needs a brain The central nervous system/brain is a control system l counteracts perceived perturbations by appropriate actions l decides about best course of action l anticipates and solves problems the market is a primitive control system l goal = satisfying public demand l action = producing goods and services l perception = actual supply Reduced friction makes the market more effcient l less delays ->more stable negative feedback

16 Global Brain

17 Components of a Global Brain Sensor l collects possibly relevant information Interpreter l processes information to extract meaning Decider l chooses option in light of interpretation and goals Memory l learns and stores patterns or models for reuse Effector l implements chosen action

18 Global brain can tackle global problems Information overload l a GB can process more information l collective intelligence to support individual decisions Complexity/unpredictability l develop and use more complex models l steer process so as to avoid side-effects Runaway processes l detect problems at an earlier stage l counteract more quickly and more globally Global optimization l develop global world view and system of values l help detect “cheaters”

19 Example: GB-mediated public transport Complexity reduction l computes optimal connections in real time l constantly advises the individual l takes over administrative functions such as paying Global optimization l reduces congestion/pollution by making public transport more attractive l can redirect vehicles to better meet demand l can learn more effective routes l can control negative side effects –e.g. divert transport around hospitals, polluted areas, etc.

20 How can a GB evolve? Spontaneous, bottom-up evolution l society already has GB-like subsystems –markets, administrations, media,libraries, networks … l natural selection will make those more efficient –inefficient subsystems outcompeted by more efficient ones  better communication, services, administrations, … Technological support l well-designed ICT applications can precipate the emergence of the GB Top-down governance l to tackle suboptimizationand prevent “free riders” l requires global institutions: Kyoto, WTO, UN,...