Tuesday, 7 September 2021

A Literalized Metaphor

"A Feast for the Gods."

We participate in metaphorical cyberspace when we use the internet. Does anyone imagine that there is a literal domain of cyberspace where it would be possible for a disembodied consciousness directly to perceive n-dimensional spaces, mathematical waves, energies and probabilities? (pp. 221-222)

The fantasy premise of this story is that human awe towards any phenomenon transforms that phenomenon into a conscious deity. Thus, this computer is conscious not because computers are conscious - they are not - but because human awe is deifying/divinizing/godding it. I think.

1 comment:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

Whereas, of course, the Christian view is that God is the infinitely transcendent Other who created the universe and cares about His creation.

Ad astra! Sean