Skynet is the fictional computer that gains self-awareness and consciousness and results in the horrific slaughter and subjugation of man in the Terminator movies. The idea that computers can be taught to think as we do is the basis for AI or artificial intelligence. It’s a holy grail thing despite its implications.

Recently I read a short story by George Dyson that poses the question – what if the great search engine Google was a potential Skynet? The story is here. And it is a slogging read at times because it is heavy on tech and backstory but it is worth skimming for the parts that are easy for a lay person to understand. 

The last couple of paragraphs especially make it worth the while.

Interesting theory though about dreaming before thinking.

And if you still aren’t sure that Google (or Apple for that matter) are steadily liberating more data from us than our own governments. Read this.