Global Brain: The Evolution of Mass Mind from the Big Bang to the 21st Century Paperback – August 1, 2001

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.

I have read all of Howard Bloom's books. I'm actually only half way through this one. As with all of his books, I put each one down saying this is the best book I have ever read. This book covers everything. A must read for every person who wants an understanding of everything! I call it the Bible because it should be on every human's bookshelf. When I order a Howard Bloom book, I always order 2.... because each is so great I want to share with others. I lend the other out. Not a single friend has ever been disappointed. I actually drool at night just waiting to pick it up and read what is next.

This book is incredible. Howard Bloom has both a scientific and intuitive understanding of evolution, particularly in the realm of mass behavior. I was given this book by my father just as a random recommendation. At the time, I was deep in the trenches of learning about music business- and feeling very frustrated by it. The ideas presented in The Global Brain helped me understand how the music business, and more broadly, politics work. For those scratching their heads, the music business runs on social politics. I finished the book and didn't pick it up for a few years until giving a copy to a friend. It was at this time I decided to google the author to see what he was about. To my amazement, I noticed what he did as a career before writing this book- music PR! I had no idea this was his background when reading the book and applying his ideas to my problems understanding the music business world!Incredible!

I love the way that Howard Bloom thinks, it is always illuminating and never elitist. Reading his books always reminds me of reading something written by Carl Sagan. They both have a playful, quick, and insightful way of looking at the world and they both ask questions that make you think for yourself. Do not take this book as scientific proof of group selection (as nothing is EVER proven) but instead prepare to gain new insights into everything related to how our world works.Howard's original book The Lucifer principle still stands on my list of things that everyone could read to better themselves.The Art of WarLucifer PrincipleThe Naked CapitalistThis book will most likely be added to this list once I give it another read. One thing I will say, however, is that Mr. Bloom's writing has improved in both it's impact and delivery.

Once I have seen Howard Bloom in an interview and really like his way thinking.He is genius and writing style unique... some may not like the style... but that is HIS Style.After Lucifier principle this my 2nd book from him.This book definitely gives a different perspective on how see the world and how it might have been evolved / evolved.Worth of reading....and understand it and put your on thought on it.All I can say I really enjoyed reading it.

I had high expectations about this book; Bloom's former work, Lucifer Principle, was definitely one of those few books that blew my socks off. Therefore, I thought Global Brain would float on the same level, because Bloom is everything but a petty author. On the contrary, this book lacks pace and insights. At times it sounds like a history book, that wanders among several fields, but without coming to any significant conclusion. Like a history book, hence, it keeps telling and telling, whereas the key concepts remain the same throughout all the book and are also kind of weak. You will find a very few interesting ideas in this book; only a few key concepts and 2 hundred pages written to back them up with lenghty, and at times weak arguments and stories. On the whole, I consider Global Brain a letdown; if each chapter of Lucifer Principle contains an intriguing speculation, and it's worth reading by itself, a 1 page summary would do for the entire Global Brain if you want to grasp its deep meaning.

love it ,,love you Howard

A must read! I am re-reading this book and am still blown away by the ideas Bloom suggests. I am recommending this book to most of my friends and aquaintances.

This is a well-written book, but the problem I have with it is that there are too many 'mechanical' or 'computerized' analogies in the book - and I think that these analogies lead the thinking (and understanding) in the wrong direction. The Global Brain, or Mass Mind, is NOT a Computer. And I don't think that "swarms of nanocomputerized bacteria", used as "exploratory engines", are a "giant leap for all mankind" (p.223). They might actually become a mega-nightmare! Maybe we aren't the "neurons of this planet's interspecies mind" (p.223), but its cancer cells? It depends on whether we can overcome the hubris of our engineering minds.