I think the complexity has been exaggerated so often that the notion of incomprehensibility has become an accepted belief. I lean more toward Kurzweil's view in his book "The Age of Spiritual Machines". If we allow it to happen, it's just a matter of time before someone puts the right parts and programming together, and after that it's only a matter of time before our own consciousness pales in comparison to that of machines. It's probably the most frightening of possible futures, while at the same time holding the most promise.
Are you sure you don't mean Gary Numan? Because listening to too much of that could conceivably have unforeseen consequences .
...ah so true, *(insert oops here!), and an exhausting affair this week has been! Thanks and my apologies to Gary Numan who's Tubeway Army records were a direct influence on my ever twisted younger days. The whole "plugged into consciousness" school of thought brought two simultaneous Numan tunes to mind. Both of which I am truly enamored by. Are friends Electric, and the incredible, Me! I Disconnect From You. Some of Numan's newer discs have been just excellent as well. But, incredibly dark. I like that from time to time.
On the former, I am certain in a "lets explore consciousness" fashion sense, you are very correct, unfortunately. It's almost a clear reflection of the ever present, stigmatic social entropy process in full bloom, but I'm not going there now. However, parting company with a biased, unqualified, or possibly even a "spiritually enlightened pathway", the realm of consciousness is assuredly being addressed in what are far and away respectable channels of research based testing and institutional interest.
As a lay person myself that really enjoys exploring in hypothetical speculative thought, the notions of theoretical consciousness modeling, much like I do UFOs, but not nearly for as long, I recommend the fascinatingly consistent
Skeptiko - Science at the Tipping Point. I would genuinely love to have Gene and Chris interview Alex with respect to his cutting edge cannon of interests which he articulates pretty darn well.
*(just not the one that this forum currently offers cause it looks like some gal that's getting her skirt up on a windy day!)
Kurzweil: Over Rated. Pappy Created. Genius/Somewhat. Big Buzz Daddy Right Now, red (sic) the headlines. I'm thinking you could reverse that initial descriptive order and almost see the prophetic entropy in action. Oh, I forgot to tell you, I'm feeling a little dark today.
But, it's all good. I like Ray for entirely different reasons than those brought to mind by the S word. He understands the relevant value of supplemental nutrition. I believe he's whipped the big C several times now. To me, that makes him a hero, and me possibly an idiot.