Early in Earth's history; life in the form of prokaryotes emerged, and one type of prokaryotes, cyanobacteria, began forming colonies which evolved into a worldwide network of communicating cells, referred to by Howard Bloom as the "Global Brain". However, primitive cells cooperated closely and eventually formed eukaryotes that had a nucleus and complex cell functionality. The World Wide Network of bacteria splintered as the eukaryotes was more self sufficient but more isolated than prokaryotes. The eukaryotes formed multi cellular organisms, plants, animals, and eventually humans. Plants, animals and humans also communicated to some degree but with the emergence of communications technology and internet the global brain is evolving further.
This book is essentially a brief history of life and its interconnectedness coupled with Howard Bloom’s “Global Brain” hypothesis, that we are all part of a sort of a “global brain” encompassing all life. Groups of individuals, animals as well as people, often exhibit intelligent behavior that goes beyond that of the individual as if their “brain power” is extended across multiple individuals as they communicate. He gives some astonishing examples of how animals can learn and adapt as a group even though individuals don't have the brain power to do so. Bees can learn and can make intelligent decisions as a group in ways they cannot do as individuals. Even germs form colonies and networks of colonies that exhibit some surprisingly intelligent behavior. The colony, packs, tribes, and groups, are in themselves intelligent "super brains".
Howard Bloom describes and analyses evolution from a communications perspective. He believes in group evolution and rejects the “selfish gene” hypothesis as the sole explanation for what is driving evolution, which might be somewhat controversial. He identifies five basic principles of the complex adaptive system of any group. The first one is "conformity enforcement". Every society and group, human or not, enforces conformity, sometimes ruthlessly, for the sake unity, group identity, and the effectiveness of the group. The second one, "diversity generators", are needed in times of change or when new opportunities appear, or when the group needs to evolve. The third is "inner judges", which are factors which are inherited factors which determines whether we are needed or not, and if not, causes us to become depressed, or sick, or even to commit suicide. Some people are unfortunately born with relentless "inner judges". The fourth is "resource shifters" which shifts resources away from those who are not needed to those who are. The fifth one is "intergroup tournaments" which is used to perpetuate the most effective group or individual(s). These are often held between groups that are close genetically. In fact 150 millions of us killed a sister or a brother as fetuses while in the womb, we just don't know that we did.
The book also touches on human society. Bloom claims that the mass mind needs its internationalists, cross-cultural floaters, homosexuals, explorers, introverts and oddballs to continue to prosper, invent and adjust. At the same time conformity enforcers like religious and political fundamentalists constantly threaten to crush human freedom and achievement. The fundamentalists invent boogey men/enemies to rally around and it is quite effective. Diversity generators are needed for prosperity and expansion and conformity enforcers are needed to create unified action to stave off existential threats. Overall the book promotes the diversity generators for modern human society.
I found Howard Bloom’s arguments to be both plausible and supported by good evidence, at the same time as I am somewhat cautious in fully embracing his world view. Reading this book was an intellectual adventure at the same time as it was also somewhat depressing. It was well written and well organized and full of both delightful and disturbing ideas. It is one of those books that make you view the world a little differently after reading it. I highly recommend this book.
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Top reviews from other countries
- TrevorReviewed in Canada on January 8, 2022
read it twice 20 years ago ,,reading it again in a minute from now
- Kindle CustomerReviewed in Canada on October 14, 2015
A must read if you are interested the brain and consciousness
- Jan HöglundReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 2, 2016
What if we aren't the neurons of the Global Brain but its cancer cells?
