Mindplexing - Cooperative, Shared, Distributed Collaboration between Networked Minds
Jønathan Lyons
2015-09-06 00:00:00

(A mindplex is a cooperative, shared, distributed collaboration between networked minds. Human minds can sign in and out of such a multiple-mind collaborative mindplex, potentially alongside artificial intellects and who knows how many other networked humans. The concept is promoted by IEET Fellow Ben Goertzel in his essay here.)

A few weeks back, I had the privilege of being part of a rudimentary mindplex: I was part of a three-day, daylong training session on teaching first-year college seminars. And I noticed something important: At times, the whole room erupted into excited chatter as we exchanged ideas and strategies. As slow and clumsy as the serial form of communication that is the spoken word, we were nonetheless mindplexing. We were sharing one another’s thoughts and ideas in a group-mind way that served all of us better than our individual, solitary thinking could.



It’s a more effective way of getting at and solving issues than that of a lonely, solo individual, toiling away by zirself.

Weeks passed, and I was lucky enough to attend a conference with a focus on “the story” — a conference based partly upon writing conference, partly physical expression, and firmly on group interactions. We mindplexed in session after session, and from a few loose scraps and notes, this helped me flesh out a plot arc for the new novel I didn’t even realize I was beginning to write.

Now I want access to mindplexes. I want access to various informed individuals and their potent ideas. As Prof. Kevin Warwick has noted, our communication via this slow, serial means that we call speech is pokey and awkward compared to what’s coming, technologically speaking.

As I participated in these mindplexes, I found myself craving the speed of thought for interacting with my fellow participants in mental exchanges. Imagine what you might accomplish, mindplexing your ideas with a group of likewise intelligent and engaged people!

Add what Warwick calls Rich Thought Communication. I look forward to rich thought communication, mindplexes, and a safe, effective means of doing both — which most probably means some sort of brain implant.

Throw in the occasional General Artificial Intelligence and access to the Internet (along with an understanding of credible vs. non-credible sources)? Imagine!