The TFP as a collective consciousness - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Eviltree · 05-26-2003, 07:36 PM

I was reading a Dilbert cartoon today about how the internet could create a vast consciousness among users, and related it to the TFP somehow. Is it possible that through this site, we have a condenced pool of knowlage and consciousness? Maybe I just need more sleep, but its an interesting concept.

Plummie · 05-26-2003, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eviltree
Is it possible that through this site, we have a condensed pool of knowledge and consciousness?

It seems obvious to me that the TFP is a pool of knowledge and consciousness, otherwise, what are threads for? What are responses for? It is everybody's ideas coming together and merging onto one place.

I don't really understand your concept, maybe.

Halx · 05-26-2003, 07:57 PM

I tap into that pool all the time to discern trends and needs. Using that information, I make changes to policy/software accordingly.

rogue49 · 05-26-2003, 08:01 PM

I wouldn't call it a collective consciousness,
which is the concept of many entities acting together as one mindset.

But the TFP is more of a community.
Many individuals with many views and desires.
One of which is to express themselves in an environment that encourages that and makes them secure to do that.

Antagony · 05-26-2003, 10:37 PM

I have a question. Is this "collective consciousness" you refer to the idea behind the following --

Example, someone figures out cold fusion. But as it turns out, someone thousands of miles away also figures out cold fusion within days of the first person, but the second guy is using a similar, but different method. These scientists had no contact with each other during the process.

I seem to recall hearing that there are many recorded instances of this phenomenon. I'd be interested in learning more about it.

ARTelevision · 05-27-2003, 05:06 AM

Yes. We are a collective consciousness.

That's a given.

What is most interesting to me is what we do with it and how we do it.

duckznutz · 05-27-2003, 05:09 AM

Dont read to much into it. The internet is simply an extremely efficient way of communicating and sharing knowledge (which is a good thing - unless you are actively plotting against your democratically elected government!) . . but remember that most of the wonders of the world were built by organised societies who did not even have electricity never mind broadband! Forums like this are excellent for allowing people to discuss topics with like minded others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . but there is way too much porn and MP3 being 'communicated' and not enough 'intelligent debate' for it to matter one iota.

MSD · 05-27-2003, 10:53 PM

What will Hal do when TFP v10.0 has been upgraded to a server so advanced and software so advanced that it becomes a sentient being embodying the collective thoughts of its members?

ARTelevision · 05-28-2003, 03:44 AM

MSD, as I stated earlier, I see it as being all those things already.
Hal's response above indicates he also sees the forum as a "collective consciousness," by his statement:
"I tap into that pool all the time to discern trends and needs. Using that information, I make changes to policy/software accordingly."

To follow your description to the letter, let's use the analogy of the brain. If the forum is the brain of a sentient being whose neurons are ourselves, would you consider the the brain itself to be a sentient being? It has more to do with how it's all defined and whre ther seat of consciousness is placed. In the human being, for example, we can be defined in several ways as collective or aggregate organisms.

I think we can draw up a plausible scenario in which the current state of the TFP can be described as a "sentient being."

Why wait for v10?

Halx · 05-29-2003, 04:49 PM

I like this idea Art has going.

The tricky part is being taken seriously, though I only fear unfair judgement from those who don't understand that this place is a very hands-on experiment for me, and not just a *forum.*

queedo · 05-29-2003, 07:04 PM

We are the TFP. Resistance is futile

Jerry Manderine · 05-30-2003, 01:37 AM

slightly harder would be for the TFP to enter the collective unconscious. That way Hal's troubles would be over and we could post in our dreams.

05-26-2003, 07:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Eviltree Psycho Location: British Columbia	The TFP as a collective consciousness I was reading a Dilbert cartoon today about how the internet could create a vast consciousness among users, and related it to the TFP somehow. Is it possible that through this site, we have a condenced pool of knowlage and consciousness? Maybe I just need more sleep, but its an interesting concept.

05-26-2003, 07:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	I tap into that pool all the time to discern trends and needs. Using that information, I make changes to policy/software accordingly. __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

05-26-2003, 10:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Antagony Psychopathic Akimbo Action Pirate Location: ...between Christ and Belial.	I have a question. Is this "collective consciousness" you refer to the idea behind the following -- Example, someone figures out cold fusion. But as it turns out, someone thousands of miles away also figures out cold fusion within days of the first person, but the second guy is using a similar, but different method. These scientists had no contact with each other during the process. I seem to recall hearing that there are many recorded instances of this phenomenon. I'd be interested in learning more about it. __________________ On the outside I'm jazz, but my soul is rock and roll. Sleep is a waste of time. Join the Insomniac Club. "GYOH GWAH-DAH GREH BLAAA! SROH WIH DIH FLIH RYOHH!!" - The Locust

05-27-2003, 05:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	Yes. We are a collective consciousness. That's a given. What is most interesting to me is what we do with it and how we do it. __________________ create evolution

05-27-2003, 05:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
duckznutz Addict Location: Brook Cottage, Lanark, Scotland	Dont read to much into it. The internet is simply an extremely efficient way of communicating and sharing knowledge (which is a good thing - unless you are actively plotting against your democratically elected government!) . . but remember that most of the wonders of the world were built by organised societies who did not even have electricity never mind broadband! Forums like this are excellent for allowing people to discuss topics with like minded others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . but there is way too much porn and MP3 being 'communicated' and not enough 'intelligent debate' for it to matter one iota. __________________ Where your talents and the needs of the world cross . . there lies your vocation.

05-26-2003, 08:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
rogue49 Loser	I wouldn't call it a collective consciousness, which is the concept of many entities acting together as one mindset. But the TFP is more of a community. Many individuals with many views and desires. One of which is to express themselves in an environment that encourages that and makes them secure to do that.

05-27-2003, 10:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	What will Hal do when TFP v10.0 has been upgraded to a server so advanced and software so advanced that it becomes a sentient being embodying the collective thoughts of its members?

05-28-2003, 03:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	MSD, as I stated earlier, I see it as being all those things already. Hal's response above indicates he also sees the forum as a "collective consciousness," by his statement: "I tap into that pool all the time to discern trends and needs. Using that information, I make changes to policy/software accordingly." To follow your description to the letter, let's use the analogy of the brain. If the forum is the brain of a sentient being whose neurons are ourselves, would you consider the the brain itself to be a sentient being? It has more to do with how it's all defined and whre ther seat of consciousness is placed. In the human being, for example, we can be defined in several ways as collective or aggregate organisms. I think we can draw up a plausible scenario in which the current state of the TFP can be described as a "sentient being." Why wait for v10? __________________ create evolution

05-29-2003, 04:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	I like this idea Art has going. The tricky part is being taken seriously, though I only fear unfair judgement from those who don't understand that this place is a very hands-on experiment for me, and not just a forum. __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

05-29-2003, 07:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
queedo Shodan	We are the TFP. Resistance is futile __________________ If you think you can or you can't, you are right!

05-30-2003, 01:37 AM	#12 (permalink)
Jerry Manderine Tilted Location: London, UK	slightly harder would be for the TFP to enter the collective unconscious. That way Hal's troubles would be over and we could post in our dreams. __________________ Time has told me I'm a rare, rare find