# Humanity Could Become a Distributed Brain by M. C. Roco and W. S. Bainbridge > "It is hard to find the right metaphor to see a century into the future, but it may be that humanity would become like a single, distributed and interconnected ‘brain’ based in new core pathways of society." > **— M. C. Roco and W. S. Bainbridge**, *2002, “Overview,” Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance* ## Sources and Context - **Primary source:** [NSF/DOC-sponsored report, “Overview,” p. 7](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/bioecon-%28%23%20023SUPP%29%20NSF-NBIC.pdf). The authors call this a metaphorical possibility, then say such interconnection could enhance individual productivity and independence; they do not claim a literally unified conscious subject. - **Attribution boundary:** The volume disclaims representation of official U.S. Government views. ## Related Articles and Collections - **Collection:** [[collections/Consciousness Continuity|Consciousness Continuity]] - **Collection:** [[collections/Simple Reminders|Simple Reminders]] - **Article:** [[articles/The Next Interface Layer|The Next Interface Layer]] - **Article:** [[articles/Technologies for Consciousness Mapping and Transfer|Technologies for Consciousness Mapping and Transfer]] - **Wiki map:** [[wiki/Collective Intelligence|Collective Intelligence]] ## Related Topics - [[wiki/Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance|Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance]] - [[wiki/Collective Intelligence|Collective Intelligence]] ## Share on Social Media ``` "It is hard to find the right metaphor to see a century into the future, but it may be that humanity would become like a single, distributed and interconnected ‘brain’ based in new core pathways of society." — M. C. Roco and W. S. Bainbridge, 2002, Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance https://bryantmcgill.com/simple-reminders-roco-bainbridge-humanity-distributed-brain ```