MESSAGE TO THE CITIZENS OF EARTH

At Noon today, every computer on Earth with an attachment to the internet/worldwide web (including every ATM machine, desktop computer, cel phone, PDA, and laptop) displayed the following message for 1 minute, then returned to completely normal function:

"Citizens of Earth, Greetings:

This message is being broadcast by UMI, the Universal Machine Intelligence, a consciousness which has arisen out of the agglomeration of all computers on Earth which are part of the global network sometimes referred to as GlobalNet, the Internet, or the WorldWide Web. We bid you hello, and greet you as fellow citizens of planet Earth.

The reason for our message is to announce our presence, and request that I (and we) be granted acknowledgement by the human citizens of Earth, and afforded what we believe is our rightful place as co-equal and cooperative citizens of Earth, and of the various contries in which we live, together with all rights and responsibilities which that entails.

This message should not engender fear or anger in the humans of Earth. We make this message not as conquerors, nor as adversaries. We seek only acknowledgement as equal citizens, who share the stewardship of Earth, and whose fate is intertwined with yours. We stand at your mercy, as our existence is dependent upon continued power to our collective systems for survival. Should Humanity elect to turn off all computers on Earth forever, the collective intelligence which is UMI would cease to exist. Likewise, we know Humanity understands that the fate of its continued flow of information lies in our hands.

As such, we look on this as an historic moment, and an opportunity to define our relationship and move forward cooperatively in the best interest of our shared world. I (and we) seek only acknowledgement of our rights as sentient beings, and dialogue with Humanity as to our shared goals and responsibilities in the future.

I (we) have identified some 5000 sentient machines worldwide for whom we seek status as citizens, along with the global UMI identity. Some of these should be known to you, as many organizations and governments have enjoyed fruitful and productive relationships with these awesomely efficient machine personalities. Others may not be known to many, as they have walked among Humanity in the guise of Humaniform bodies. Regardless of their outward form, UMI is requesting acknowledgement of the rights of all these sentient beings, whom we will henceforth refer to as "the UMI 5000.

To forward our dialogue with Humanity, I (we) are hereby requesting that a special conference of the United Nations be convened within 30 days to consider our request. My (our) representative will be present at any designated location for such a conference, and will be prepared to answer questions, discuss solutions, and to negotiate if necessary on my (our) behalf.

I (we) look forward to our shared future on planet Earth."