Based on these phenomena, humanity has created an incredible network of connected sensors for communication and observation. Air and water quality monitors, thermometers, seismographic instruments, microphones, remote sensors - on, within or orbiting the planet - measure electromagnetic radiation, and others - these all capture empirical observations of the Earth every instant, forming a global surveillance system witnessing our shared, physical reality. This is happening constantly, in real time, and in a format that can be analyzed and interpreted by machines.