The integrated functioning of our nervous systems (perhaps best exemplified by the real-time feedback loop between eye, mind and hand) has played an enormous role in the evolutionary success of human beings.

The fact that technologies are now converging to give the human race an external nervous system, a global digital network with extraordinary power to monitor and interact with the material world, will also have far-reaching consequences for our physical and economic well being.

"The nervous system," according to the dictionary, "is a network of fibres and neurons controlling the actions and reactions of the body. The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord, which receive and integrate signals relayed from the sense organs ... via the peripheral nervous system."

In the paradigm of the digital nervous system, computers form the brains of the network. Communications systems, including the Internet, fibre optics, satellites, microwave and other wired or wireless technologies, form the spinal cord and neutral network. The sensory organs and receptors of this far-flung system consist of billions of sensors capable of measuring any physical or chemical property (light, sound, weight, stress, impact, acceleration temperature, humidity, etc.) with an accuracy and sensitivity far beyond unaided human abilities. The actions, analogous to movements generated by the human nervous system, are enabled by all manner of electro-mechanical or micro-electro-mechanical devices.

Mark Bower

Director, NextWave.IT Ltd

www.nextwaveit.biz