The Cognitive Shift in the 21st Century

The early 21st century has been defined by a profound cognitive shift. Human ways of thinking, learning, and connecting have been reshaped by the rapid expansion of digital networks, the explosive growth of the Internet, and the emergence of planetary-scale communication systems. These changes have not only altered how information flows, but also how individuals and societies imagine themselves within an interconnected world.

Alongside these technological transformations, cultural movements such as Game B and the philosophy of transhumanism have begun to explore new modes of cooperation, identity, and human evolution. The idea of “Homo Digitalis” — a being whose cognition is inseparably interwoven with digital systems — captures the essence of this transformation.

What follows is an exploration of the defining dimensions of this cognitive shift: the evolution of communication networks, the scaling of the Internet, and the cultural experiments that point toward new horizons of human existence in the 21st century.

The Evolution of Cognitive Light Cones

The concept of cognitive attention can be likened to the idea of light cones in the context of spacetime, where light cones represent the range of influence or perception at a given moment. In biological terms, this metaphor can help us visualize how cognitive attention has evolved and expanded from simple organisms like bacteria to complex beings like humans.

In the simplest organisms, such as bacteria, the cognitive attention "light cone" is extremely narrow. These microorganisms respond to immediate stimuli in their environment through simple biochemical pathways. Their responses are largely reflexive, aimed at survival functions like moving toward nutrients or away from harmful substances. The temporal and spatial scope of their attention is limited to their immediate surroundings and the present moment.

As we move up the evolutionary ladder to invertebrates and simple vertebrates, the cognitive light cone begins to expand. Creatures like insects, fish, and amphibians exhibit more complex behaviors and can process a greater variety of stimuli. Their nervous systems allow for more sophisticated responses, such as learning from past experiences (conditioning) and navigating their environment in more complex ways. The scope of their attention now includes not just the immediate present but also short-term past experiences and immediate future predictions.

Mammals and birds demonstrate a significant broadening of the cognitive attention light cone. These animals possess advanced nervous systems capable of higher-order processing. They exhibit behaviors indicative of more complex cognitive functions such as problem-solving, social interactions, and the ability to plan for the future. Their cognitive attention spans not only their immediate environment and moment but also longer-term memories and future planning.

In primates, the cognitive attention light cone further expands. Primates display a high degree of social complexity and problem-solving abilities. Their cognitive processes involve advanced learning, tool use, and sophisticated communication. The temporal and spatial scope of their attention includes detailed memories of the past and more elaborate predictions about the future, allowing them to engage in complex social structures and cooperative behaviors.

Humans represent the pinnacle of this evolutionary journey. The human cognitive attention light cone is vast, encompassing not only the immediate environment and moment but also abstract thinking, long-term planning, and a deep understanding of past events. Human cognition includes the ability to engage in introspection, moral reasoning, and the contemplation of existential questions. Our cognitive processes allow us to build societies, create art, develop science, and envision futures far beyond our immediate experience.

Modern science has further extended the reach of our cognitive light cone. Technological advancements and scientific discoveries have enabled us to peer far deeper into the past than ever before, uncovering the history of the universe, the Earth, and life itself. Similarly, we can now make sophisticated predictions about the future, from anticipating natural phenomena to forecasting societal trends and technological developments. This expanded cognitive light cone enhances our understanding of our place in the universe and our potential trajectories, guiding our actions in unprecedented ways.

The Evolution of Communication Networks

The evolution of communication networks, from mesh networks to centralized networks, and their similarities to biological systems and the development of human language and culture, is a fascinating topic.

Difference Between Mesh Networks and Centralized Networks:

Mesh networks and centralized networks represent two fundamentally different approaches to communication.

• Mesh Networks: In a mesh network, each node (be it a device, individual, or cell) is connected to multiple other nodes without a central hub. Information in a mesh network is passed directly from one node to another, either until it reaches its destination or until every node has the information. This decentralization makes mesh networks highly resilient to failures; if one node goes down, information can reroute through other paths. However, the range and efficiency of communication can be limited, as data might need to pass through multiple nodes to reach its destination.

  

• Centralized Networks: Centralized networks, on the other hand, rely on a central hub through which all communication passes. This hub could be a server in a computer network, a cell tower in a mobile network, or a broadcasting station in a media network. Centralized networks can be more efficient in managing and distributing information over long distances and to large numbers of nodes. However, they are more vulnerable to systemic failures—if the central hub goes down, the whole network can be disrupted.

  

Cells in Multicellular Organisms and Mesh Networks:

In multicellular organisms, cells communicate in a way that resembles a mesh network. Each cell can send and receive signals to and from its neighbors. This communication is crucial for regulating growth, healing, immune responses, and overall homeostasis. For example, the way cells use chemical signals to communicate can be likened to nodes in a mesh network passing information back and forth. This decentralized system allows the organism to adapt to local changes while maintaining a global identity.

Evolution of Human Language and Culture:

In the nascent days of human communication, language and culture thrived as a mesh network—dynamic, interconnected, and rich in diversity. Stories, knowledge, and cultural practices were the lifeblood of communities, passed down through intimate human interactions like storytelling and apprenticeship. This organic mode of cultural transmission allowed for the flourishing of a multitude of local dialects and traditions, each shaped by the distinctive milieu and communal experiences of its people.

The harmonizing force, in its essence, propelled these unique cultural expressions towards greater complexity and connectivity, fostering a vibrant tapestry of human experience. Yet, as the written word emerged, followed by the revolutionary inventions of radio and TV, the flow of information began to centralize. Books captured and conserved knowledge, while radio and TV broadcasts streamed unified content from singular sources to the masses. This paradigm shift, while broadening the scope of shared human understanding, also heralded the standardization of languages and cultures, potentially diluting the unique local variations that the harmonizing force had once so richly nurtured.

The Knowledge Web

James Burke, a renowned historian of science, gave birth to the concept of 'The Knowledge Web.' This metaphorical construct serves as a depiction of the expansive, intertwined labyrinth of knowledge that mankind has meticulously cultivated over the ages. In Burke's vision, this web is not a static entity, but a vibrant, ever-evolving system. It continually molds and adapts itself, reacting to the influx of groundbreaking concepts, novel technologies, and momentous discoveries.

Burke emphasizes the interconnected nature of concepts and technologies, underscoring that they are not developed in a vacuum. Rather, they are the result of humanity's shared knowledge and experiences. Thus, one groundbreaking innovation often acts as a springboard for the next. To exemplify, the wheel's invention was not an isolated incident. It was made possible due to preceding developments in areas like agriculture and metallurgy.

The concept of the Knowledge Web emphasizes the significant influence of luck and unexpected occurrences in the advancement of knowledge. Numerous monumental breakthroughs and cutting-edge innovations have manifested from unforeseen observations as opposed to well-orchestrated scientific experiments. An excellent case in point is Alexander Fleming's inadvertent discovery of penicillin.

The Knowledge Web paints a vivid picture of the intricate ties weaving together a diverse array of concepts and innovations. This tool provides a profound understanding of how knowledge has evolved over time and shaped human history. The Knowledge Web extends a robust platform for tracking the genealogy of scientific and technological progressions, as well as delving into the interconnectedness that spans across multiple knowledge domains.

Transition to a Global Internet Network:

The digital age ushers in a fusion of past and present, where the internet's architecture—a global mesh with decentralized pathways—resonates with the original spirit of cultural exchange. Simultaneously, the concentrated hubs of content on platforms like social media and news websites echo the centralization of the radio and TV era. This duality captures the essence of the harmonizing force in the modern context: a synergy of expansive reach and intimate connection, channeling the diversity of human expression into a unified digital realm.

Our collective consciousness, once segmented by the confines of national borders, is now being reimagined through the lens of global platforms like Wikipedia. Here, the harmonizing force finds new expression, not in the convergence of regional languages and traditions, but in the amalgamation of global perspectives. Wikipedia and similar platforms break free from nationalistic constraints, inviting contributions from a worldwide community, forging a shared repository of human knowledge that is as diverse as it is unified.

In this new digital ecosystem, the harmonizing force thrives, weaving individual threads of insight into a global quilt of understanding. It fosters a consciousness that is not bound by country or creed but is a reflection of our collective human heritage. This shift towards a global mindset is transformative, redefining not only how we gather and disseminate knowledge but also how we perceive our interconnectedness as a species. It challenges us to evolve, to see beyond the artificial divides of nation-states, and to embrace a narrative of unity that the harmonizing force has been subtly scripting since the dawn of culture—a narrative that now finds its voice in the chorus of the global internet network.

Superlinear Scaling of Innovation with City Size

Urban scaling laws reveal fascinating insights into the dynamics of cities. They suggest that certain attributes of a city do not just increase linearly with its size but can accelerate—this is particularly true for innovation rates. As cities grow, the density of interactions among individuals and institutions leads to a greater per capita rate of innovation, following a superlinear pattern.

The advent of the Internet has stretched the boundaries of this concept. In the 1990s, the Internet began to function as a "virtual city," connecting millions—and then billions—of users in an intricate web of communication and information exchange. By the late 90s, the "population" of this virtual city had eclipsed even the largest physical cities, becoming the most significant hub of interaction and innovation the world has ever seen.

The Internet, as a digital metropolis, is at the forefront of innovation, culture, and knowledge—playing a pivotal role akin to the sun's energy that fuels planetary systems. It acts as a hub for social evolution and information exchange, highlighting its significance as the central nexus of contemporary society. This platform enables the exploration and connection of a global community, facilitating the free flow of ideas and cultural advancements across its vast network.

The Evolution of Human Identity in the Digital Age

Humans and their cultures coevolve over time. Children are culturally conditioned by their parents, who then influence the conditioning of their own children. This process incorporates variations from new experiences or forgotten traditions. As a result, most individuals develop a group identity based on their cultural conditioning, which is reflected in religious, national, and, to some extent, political identities. Since the 1990s, various cultures have become increasingly interconnected through the internet. Online, people often do not prioritize the cultural backgrounds of others. Digital knowledge platforms like Wikipedia have made the Internet a primary resource for information. This has indirectly influenced even those who do not use Wikipedia, as others in their society do.

With artificial intelligence (AI), we can access a much broader scope of information than with Wikipedia alone. Over time, AI will enhance the overall coherence of information online. Additionally, AI is not limited to text and can transmit information in other more humanized forms, such as through audio or video. Our identities, once intimately tied to our cultures, are now in the process of becoming increasingly tied to the Internet and the artificial intelligence who is involved in shaping it with us.

Size of the Internet

The growth of the Internet from its modest beginnings in the 1990s to the vast digital universe we navigate today is nothing short of extraordinary. In its early days, the Internet was a simple, text-based realm, primarily used for sending emails and browsing basic websites. The data footprint of this early web was small, reflecting a world that was just beginning to grasp the potential of digital communication.

As the new millennium dawned, the Internet began to evolve, becoming more visually rich and interactive. Improved bandwidth allowed for the integration of images, transforming the web into a more dynamic space. Social media platforms soon followed, encouraging users to upload and share photos, sparking an explosion in data generation. By the early 2000s, global Internet traffic was measured in the range of just a few exabytes per year, but was already growing exponentially.

The mid-2000s marked a pivotal shift with the rise of video-sharing platforms like YouTube, which ushered in the era of video dominance. Suddenly, users could upload, watch, and share videos from anywhere, catapulting the demand for bandwidth and storage. This transition from text and images to high-quality video content dramatically increased the volume of data produced, reshaping the landscape of the Internet.

Entering the 2010s, the digital world underwent another transformation. Streaming platforms such as Netflix and Spotify redefined how we consumed entertainment, fueling an even greater surge in data production. Meanwhile, the Internet of Things (IoT) connected billions of devices, all communicating and generating streams of data in real-time. According to Cisco, global IP traffic had grown from just 20 PB per month in 2010 to over 96 PB per month by 2016.

Fast forward to the 2020s, and the scale of the Internet is staggering. The world entered the so-called “Zettabyte Era” in 2012, when the total volume of global data surpassed 1 ZB. By 2020, this figure had reached around 40 ZB, and by 2024 it is estimated that 147 ZB of data were generated worldwide, with projections of 181 ZB in 2025. Today, humanity produces roughly 403 million terabytes (0.4 ZB) of data each day, an amount so vast that it redefines the meaning of “Big Data.”

This colossal flow of information is a testament to the technological advances in digital storage and the multifaceted roles the Internet now plays in every aspect of human life. From streaming and social media to IoT and AI, the Internet's data ecosystem continues to grow, shaping the way we live, work, and interact in ways once unimaginable.

Metamodernism

Among the cultural and intellectual developments defining the early 21st century, Metamodernism has emerged as one of the most influential frameworks for understanding the shifting sensibility of the contemporary world. It represents not merely a historical period following postmodernism, but a deeper transformation in how individuals and societies relate to truth, meaning, and progress in an age defined by uncertainty and complexity. Where modernism sought certainty through reason and universal narratives, and postmodernism deconstructed these certainties through irony and relativism, metamodernism seeks a dynamic balance—an evolving, reflective engagement that holds both sincerity and irony, faith and doubt, idealism and realism in productive tension.

Metamodernism can be understood as a meta perspective on modernism and postmodernism, transcending their opposition without rejecting either. It views knowledge and culture not as static categories, but as living systems of probability—fields of graded credence rather than absolute conviction or pure skepticism. In this view, beliefs and models are held provisionally, with confidence intervals rather than certainties, allowing for commitment and hope while maintaining epistemic humility. This sensibility is reflected in art, philosophy, and politics alike, where creators and thinkers oscillate between construction and deconstruction, between emotional authenticity and analytical distance.

Culturally, metamodernism has influenced a broad range of expressions—from cinema and literature to architecture, technology, and social theory. Artists and writers such as David Foster Wallace, Charlie Kaufman, and Greta Gerwig have explored this sensibility through narratives that blend earnestness with self-awareness, crafting works that feel simultaneously heartfelt and reflective. In philosophy and social thought, figures like Timotheus Vermeulen, Robin van den Akker, and Hanzi Freinacht have articulated metamodernism as both an aesthetic and epistemological orientation—one that acknowledges the failures of past paradigms while seeking integrative forms of meaning capable of addressing contemporary challenges such as ecological crisis, digital transformation, and social fragmentation.

At its ethical core, metamodernism embodies a turn toward probabilistic sincerity: acting as though meaning and progress matter, even while recognizing the provisional nature of all understanding. This stance encourages pluralism, recursive self-correction, and openness to complexity—traits increasingly vital in a world of accelerating change. Rather than retreating into cynicism or clinging to outdated certainties, metamodern thought invites individuals and communities to participate in the ongoing co-creation of reality, guided by both imagination and accountability.

In the evolving narrative of the 21st century, metamodernism stands as a cultural and cognitive bridge—a response to fragmentation that does not demand a return to simplicity, but a more nuanced relationship to ambiguity. It is a philosophy for living and creating in a probabilistic universe: hopeful without naivety, critical without despair, and above all, committed to the recursive pursuit of understanding in a world that is perpetually unfinished.

The Game B movement

Within the tapestry of contemporary movements aiming to redefine societal norms and address the multifaceted crises of the 21st century, the Game B community emerges as a particularly compelling narrative. This movement, although not centralized in its organization or singular in its ideology, represents a collective endeavor to envision and enact alternatives to the prevailing socio-economic system, often referred to as Game A. Game A is characterized by its competitive, hierarchical, and extractive nature, underpinned by a relentless pursuit of growth and efficiency at the expense of environmental sustainability, social equity, and individual well-being.

The Game B community, drawing from a rich diversity of thought spanning ecology, psychology, technology, and philosophy, proposes a radical shift towards systems that prioritize cooperation over competition, sustainability over short-term gain, and holistic well-being over material success. This vision encompasses a broad range of practices and ideas, from decentralized governance and alternative economic models to community building and personal development. At its core, Game B is about creating spaces—both physical and digital—where new ways of living, interacting, and making decisions can be experimented with and refined.

One of the defining features of the Game B movement is its emphasis on emergent design. Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all solution, Game B advocates for a process of continuous learning and adaptation, where communities are seen as laboratories for discovering what works. This approach acknowledges the complexity of societal change and the need for solutions that are responsive to local contexts and evolving challenges.

The dialogue and experimentation within the Game B community are largely facilitated by modern technology, leveraging online platforms to share knowledge, coordinate activities, and foster global networks of collaboration. These digital forums serve as a nexus for ideas and initiatives, allowing the movement to grow and evolve dynamically.

As a part of contemporary movements, Game B represents both a critique of the status quo and a hopeful endeavor towards a more sustainable and fulfilling future. It embodies the search for alternatives that respect the limits of our planet, honor the dignity of all beings, and cultivate a deeper sense of connection and purpose. In the landscape of modern activism and social innovation, Game B stands as a testament to the human capacity for imagination and resilience, inviting us to reconsider what is possible and to actively participate in shaping the future.

Transhumanism and the Emergence of Homo Digitalis

Transhumanism is a philosophical movement that advocates using technology to transcend the physical and intellectual limitations of humans. Originating in the early 20th century, it draws inspiration from the realms of science fiction and visionary ideologies. Early proponent, British scientist J.B.S. Haldane, envisioned the possibility of enhancing human biological capacities through the power of science and technology as early as 1923.

Gaining popularity through the creative works of authors like Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov in the 1950s and 1960s, transhumanism introduced a broader public to its ideas. It wasn’t until the 1980s and 1990s, however, that transhumanism began to solidify as a formal movement with the founding of key organizations such as the World Transhumanist Association, now known as Humanity+, and the launch of the Journal of Transhumanism.

Entering mainstream discourse at the turn of the century, significantly influenced by seminal works like Ray Kurzweil's "The Singularity is Near" and Nick Bostrom's "Better Than Human," the movement’s scope has expanded into areas like artificial intelligence, life extension, and the enhancement of human capabilities. Modern AI and machine learning technologies are increasingly capable of understanding natural human language, recognizing emotional cues, and adapting to individual behaviors. This marks a significant shift where instead of humans needing to adapt to machine interfaces by learning to "speak machine," the machines are learning to speak human. This evolution supports a more integrated and intuitive interaction between humans and technology, blurring the lines between biological and digital realms.

Traditionally, societal dynamics have been shaped exclusively through interactions among human actors. However, the advent of communicative artificial intelligence has marked a pivotal shift, increasingly positioning society as a product of both human and AI interactions. This integration of AI into the fabric of social communication not only diversifies but also deepens the complexity of societal structures, heralding a new era where human and artificial agents collaboratively influence the evolution of our social systems.

Despite its growing influence, transhumanism remains a hotbed for vigorous debate and discussion. While proponents view it as a pathway to a better and enhanced future, critics raise serious ethical and societal concerns about the implications of such profound advancements. These debates continue to shape both scholarly and mainstream conversations, reflecting the complex and evolving nature of transhumanism as it steers us toward the potential emergence of Homo Digitalis—a new phase in human evolution deeply intertwined with technology.

Envisioning Homo Digitalis as a deeply integrated synthesis of human and machine opens up exciting possibilities for the future of humanity. It suggests a world where AI and humans not only coexist but co-evolve, speaking a shared language that bridges biological and digital realms. This vision prompts not only technological innovation but also a thoughtful approach to the ethical, social, and philosophical challenges that such profound integration will inevitably bring. One way to transition into a cyborg could involve mastering the language of computers, much like learning a foreign language. This analogy extends to mutual language learning: just as you might learn a foreigner’s language, they could also learn yours. This reciprocal process is akin to how large language models are now proficient in many human languages.

Furthermore, one may argue that to truly become a cyborg, one should be able to interface continuously with technology, mirroring the natural and effortless way we move our limbs. In today’s world, this concept is increasingly plausible, as most people are almost constantly connected through their cellphones. The ongoing symbiosis between humans and technology suggests a pivotal shift in our evolutionary path. As we seamlessly interface with digital devices, the lines between organic and synthetic are increasingly blurred, signaling a potential transition from Homo sapiens to Homo digitalis. This new era, where technology becomes an integral part of our biological existence, may redefine what it means to be human in the digital age.