i recently became interested in philosophy and have decided to minor in it since I only need to take 3 more courses in the area. As a computer sceince major, I have becam interested in fusing these two together. I plan on buying some books I have seen on the internet, such as "becoming Virtual: Reality in the Digital Age" and "A New Kind of Science" by Stephen Wolfram.

I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge of any websites that deal with research into the issue of the impact of the internet and computers on mankind both at the individual level and the level of society as a whole, and a kind of look at how the internet and computers are nothing more than an evolution of technology that man has used since the beginning, with "software" as written & spoken languages and symbols, and hardware being tools to increase efficiency of work performed.

My basic assumption is that high speed internet connection has implications to change mankind's perceptions and behavior as much as the printing press did, if not more, and I'd like to explore where the Digital Age will drive mankind.

Douglas Hofstadter was always an interesting read. At least have a look at G.E.B.

The Computer Revolution in Philosophy by Aaron Sloman

http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/research/cogaff/crp/

I went to a lecture on AI by this guy at ASE meeting earlier this year - fascinating stuff, and well-communicated. The book is old (1978) but some of it is still relevant. There's some interesting stuff on his homepage too - and he's a linux fan!

On the lighter end of the topic:

Serial Experiments Lain (Anime)

Alvin Toffler - Future Shock

This is a groundbreaking look at our ability to cope with change