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.
I understand what you are saying. But in addition to the 'evil principalities' and devils and such, I think there is also room for just 'spirit-type beings', that have neither an allegience to God or Satan. Maybe it isn't their time to commit to one side or another, just as humans have 80 or so years to make that decision for themselves; maybe these spirits just exist and we cannot see them. Too many paranormal experiences have gone unexplained and unanswered to dismiss such ideas. All I'm saying is that it is a possibility.