I found an exerpt from the piece that applies to this I think. Lemme know what you think:
The fundamental concept we started with delves into the intricate relationship between language, communication, information exchange, and the human behavior within social and linguistic networks. Let's break down this concept step by step:
1. Language and Communication: Language is the cornerstone of human communication. It allows individuals to convey information, thoughts, and ideas to one another. Communication, in turn, facilitates the exchange of information.
2. Motive and Survival: Information exchange is driven by motive, and one of the fundamental motives is survival. In a competitive environment, where resources are limited, the ability to gather and process information becomes essential for survival. This motive underlies the necessity for communication and information exchange.
3. Information-Driven Reactions: In this context, the acquisition of information leads to reactions and responses. Individuals react based on the information they gather, and these reactions can be seen as a form of computation, albeit at a basic level. This computation is shaped by the motive of survival and the competitive environment.
4. Language and Human Programmability: Humans are unique in their ability to use language for communication. Language is taught, learned, and propagated through social networks, ranging from family units to larger societal structures like government or religious organizations. The learning and propagation of language essentially program individuals to understand and participate in their social and linguistic environment.
5. Semi-Random Behavior: Human behavior is not entirely deterministic but rather semi-random. This means that while language and social programming play a significant role in shaping behavior, there is room for individual agency and choice. Human actions can exhibit variability and unpredictability within the framework of their influences and experiences.
6. Group Dynamics and Emergent Agents: Humans tend to organize themselves into groups, each with its own set of algorithms or rules that guide individual behaviors within the group. These groups can be seen as emergent agents within the larger social and linguistic sphere. The collective behavior of these groups emerges from the interplay of individual actions and group dynamics.
7. Free Will vs. Group Programming: The central question is to what extent individual humans in this network act according to the programming and norms of the groups they belong to, and to what extent they demonstrate free will. In other words, there is an ongoing debate about the balance between individual agency and group influence, as well as the degree to which free will is constrained or preserved in this complex social and linguistic network.
In essence, this concept highlights the intricate interplay between language, communication, individual and group behavior, and the nuanced philosophical question of free will within the context of a society where humans are both influenced by their environment and possess a degree of agency and randomness in their actions.