Scientific methodology, emerged in Europe about 400 years ago, based on systematically making hypothesis and testing them through observation and measurement in the real world. The speaker argues that with computers we have added a third strategy to hypothesis and measurement, namely simulation. This he argues will become increasingly important in the years to come as we seek to understand ever more complex systems.
As the Internet provides increasing connectivity, we realise we have created a single giant computer with a billion processors; a complexity surpassing the neural structure of the human brain, and capable of operating as a single entity.
Kevin Kelly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fASXfRVf4V0