Indeed it may not be practical to try such a program on current computers. I've had thoughts for some time about an analogy where each person in a civilization represents a cell in a single brain, and so on, so perhaps AP is merely a portion of the program for this "brain". As to what happens when you try to concentrate a disproportionate amount of the programming task into a few hands, that appears to be the situation we have now.
For an excellent high-level coverage of 'hive' behaviour in man and machine see Kevin Kelly's, "Out of Control: the raise of neo-biological civilization" (also has significant coverage of us cypherpunks), Addison-Wesley, 1994, ISBN 0-201-57793-3. PGP Fingerprint: FE 90 1A 95 9D EA 8D 61 81 2E CC A9 A4 4A FB A9 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Snoop Daty Data | Internet: azur@netcom.com Grinder | Voice: 1-702-655-2877 Sacred Cow Meat Co. | Fax: 1-702-658-2673 7075 W. Gowan Road, #2148 | Las Vegas, NV 89129 | --------------------------------------------------------------------- Just say NO to prescription DRUGS. "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive." -- C.S. Lewis "Surveillence is ultimately just another form of media, and thus, potential entertainment." -- G. Beato