But to be series for a moment, this is some pretty interesting stuff. If something like a 'global consciousness' exists, how are we going to find out, other than by experimenting and observing?
This is a valid point. However, those experiments must be described sufficiently that an impartial observer can repeat them. When repeated, they must produce similar results. The results must be published, along with a description of the methods, in a peer reviewed journal.
This actually fits in well to a biblical/Christian worldview. Not the idea of a "global consciousness" but rather a spiritual realm. If there is the biblical God (and I firmly believe there is) then there are His opponents too...in the spiritual world. Such things would be happy (exited?) in being behind (or in the case of natural disasters, aware of) crises such as 9/11 perhaps causing a blip on a random-number graph.
All I'm saying is scripture teaches an invisible spirit realm, where Christians are opposed by (to use a nearly obsolete word) devils.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Eph. 6:12)
Perhaps the "consciousness" these machines detect IS global, but NOT human.