THE INTERNET AS AN ORACLE OR A GOD? - Notes to self(THOUGHT SERIES)
Ever since the beginning of time, humans have always sort wisdom from higher forms through different mediums, defining a form of higher power was undeniably part of our cultural evolution. Throughout different cultures and societies there arose different mentions of god, gods or entities that watch over their affairs.
We developed a need for spirituality and mysticism in the ever-changing chaotic world. It became easy to reconcile uncontrollable event to a supernatural known or unknown force.
For example; It was easy to explain famine or drought as a result of some force or deity in the sky.
Because of our highly developed sense of self, consciousness, and ego, it's easy to assume that someone out there is watching out for us. The sense and feeling that we are special and not alone in the vast cosmos.
Oracles were developed as a means of communication with a higher library of wisdom, think of it as google search engine for early humans. Oracles served as a widely accepted medium to a higher information or insight to the surrounding world.
Surely you can already see the importance and roles that oracles and traditional religion played in the ancient times.
Imagine several disputes that were settled with consultation with oracles by our early ancestors.
Even till today, oracles in form of spiritual leaders and priests are still consulted in order to satisfy our spiritual needs.
I believe there are a lot of parallels between the ancient world and the modern one. the foundations of society have already been set a long time ago. the only thing that is constant is change, several elements have been exchanged for modern ones.
The topic of oracles had me thinking about an equivalent Oracle in the modern age.
What is the most widely accepted form or medium of communication with a library of knowledge? The only hypothesis I could come up with is the internet.
Taking a moment of self-reflection I could see how I've used the internet as an oracle in many areas of my life.
I can remember how many arguments that were settled by a google search, how I queried on the internet for information to satisfy my curiosity and ignorance.
During my search and consulting my "internet oracle" for some supporting arguments I came across a term called syntheism
Syntheism is the philosophy that says religion in it different forms will never go away.
Since there is always a need to define god or a higher power in varying forms, then the modern man in the 21st century needs to do away with the old definitions of god or gods but move on to new definitions as it appeals to the modern age.
Such philosophy reminds me of the fictional movie series, American Gods. In which old gods are gradually being replaced by new ones.
There is a bold fraction of the syntheism movement spear headed by Alexander Bard which even goes further to say that the Internet can be classified as a god.
Based on characteristics such as Omnipresence (the internet has the potential to be everywhere around the globe, given the technological improvements in satellite technology. The internet will not be restricted to cable technology alone).
Omniscience - The internet is vast with tons and tons of knowledge.
Omnipotent - The internet does have a great deal of power, ability to relay information in light speed connecting millions of people together and being a library of knowledge is a formidable power.
Also, applications such as blockchain technology and uploading artificial intelligence to the internet will only make the internet more powerful in coming years.
Could the internet qualify as a god or an oracle, I think there are very convincing arguments to support that, what do you think?
Awesome thinking. I wonder this myself. And now AI is on its way. More or less it is a matter only of when. When I think of AI, I wonder if humans will be seen as its god or creator, in their own form of religion. As long as humans remains wired the way we are and continue to organize ourselves in the ways we have been doing for thousands of years, then indeed religion will continue to find a place among humans. Great read and thanks for sharing your thoughts! Upvoted and following you now, take care and looking forward to more thoughts. Aloha.
Thanks for reading, we are creators in our own right, I believe that is what syntheism is all about. creating our own ideals, gods and philosophies is the human way, if the internet takes on a life of its own so to speak with the AI technology. it could prove syntheism to be true, in that case my post will get crawled by a bot and I would be considered an ally of the AI world lol.
That last part made me laugh out loud! Regarding human perception of god, I am not into the religious aspects but through psychedelics and meditation and stuff like that I feel I have experienced some 10th dimensional type stuff. At least I think I have met my version of the source or godhead or whatever anyone wants to call it. And what I came away with is that it really is one thing... Love. God is Love. With this in mind I wonder what a god may seem like to an AI. Could love be the god of an AI? I don't think so. In many ways, and since AI is supposed to be so intelligent, I could easily see AI looking at humans and appreciating our role in its creation. I also see AI as realizing humans kind of suck for the most part and not needing us around. If that is the case, some dystopian type of AI, even though we are its creator, will it do away with us? Could the created actually do away with its creator? Dude you totally got my mind spinning. Super dope, thanks a bunch and be well.
We think alike. I believe humans are spiritual beings with highly developed consciousness, we even have subconsciously layered on top of that. so if hypothetically, an AI does take over, they would recognize this and not do away with humans just like that.
but this is all wishful thinking though. programmers could easily code a hard-wired Artificial intelligence shy with low self-esteem, low confidence that would always seek human approval.
Thanks for reading, friend, I appreciate your input
Deep
Thanks fam 🖖
For some people the internet is a God. For me... Well, I see it more like vessel. A non corporeus vessel capable of the unthinkable, designed to please humankind.
Thanks for your input, The internet is indeed designed as a tool. but designs will gradually change as applications and integrations on the internet continues to grow in the coming years.
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It's an interesting theory. I think it falls at the "omnipotent" hurdle, though. This means unlimited, absolute power, and as powerful as the internet is, it isn't that. And of course, our various deities have had consciousness, and the internet does not have that. Yet!
BTW, American Gods was based on an excellent book by Neil Gaiman. Well worth a read!
Thanks for your point. this theory or philosophy comes from syntheism, which considers gods as man-made.
so the rules of a conscious god don't really matter to it. also about the "omnipotent" yes, you are right, the internet is not all-powerful, but there are also some gods in mythology that are not all powerful. some mythological gods are said to have power over some elements and lack in others. like god of thunder, wind, harvest, etc.
yeah, I do plan to read the book of that movie American Gods. you sparked my interest, thanks for reading my post, friend :-).
It's an odd distinction that this theory seeks to make. If gods are man-made, then they really don't exist in any tangible manner. They are not gods. It is just a label, especially when applied to something like the internet.
I understand that there are some gods that are not all powerful, but you tried to suggest that the internet was omnipotent. I just pointed out that it isn't!
like I said in my previous comment. you are right about the omnipotence. It can be classified as a type of god that was my main point. not every god is omnipotent. just because the theory suggests that gods are man-made doesn't mean they don't exist in a tangible manner.
there are a lot of man-made things that have proven to be more powerful than man. this can be found especially in technology.
Quite insightful. Syntheism sounds funny to me, but appears to be true. I don't think religion would ever disappear completely, but i believe with time, it'll lose relevance.
Cultural evolution is inevitable. but religion is hardwired into society. thanks for reading.
Very interesting ponderings. What of the mystery, though? I feel like mystery is an important component of religion. What do you think? Is there enough mystery in the internet?
what a lovely point @uniwhisp.
you are right. There is not enough mystery created by the internet, because the internet is not self-aware yet, with the integration of AI tech it could be. the only mystery I can think of is synchronicity on the internet. that is talking about reoccurring numbers and combinations, but that is at a very low level. only to those who are conscious of it.
but you raise a very good point. I believe we are not close enough to feel the internet that is why there are few mysteries about it. It's pretty common to close your eyes and feel at peace with a god, God or diety. but the internet is another case, it is clearly and recently man-made and mostly seen as a tool. but I keep hearing hypothesis about uploading a human mind unto the internet. maybe such development would spark a connection and mystery on the internet
We shall see where things go! Thanks for the fun discussion!
That's really out the box thinking there. I liked that :) Personally, after shedding any notion of a deity controlling me gave me such personal responsibility and power :)
You are correct sir. where there is a will there is a way
and free will is definitely the human way.
Internet cannot replace God. Our brains came before the internet and so on some level will always yearn for something from before it too. God in this context is from before the brain and will carry a higher priority.
This is not about God or your God as I got the impression from your comment, it is about a type of god. there are different philosophies and definitions of god throughout different cultures. this can be one of them as it pertains to the modern age.