The Vital System of Qanat and Openness to Different Fields of Consciousness Intelligent Technology in Iran

Despite having very simple components, Qanat is a complex phenomenon which has emerged from indigenous knowledge and a collective intelligence inherited through many generations. The technology of the Qanat benefits from a deep understanding of climate, water basins, geography, culture, religion, architecture and city planning. Qanat is not just an instrument for water supply, but rather it is a self-organizing old machine, which is generative, self-regulating and flexible towards its environment and the natural irregularities that occur around it. Because of the informational connection of this phenomenon to the upper layers of consciousness, one can assume an artificial mind for this primordial machine. By dismissing dualectic and oppositional theories, this paper focuses on the continuity of mind and matter in technology, and attempts to demonstrate that the concept of the Qanat is fundamentally different from modern technology and as a model of thought it has paradigmatic value which can become a prototype for Cognitive Architecture and Cognitive Urbanism. In this paper we have explained Qanat and its productive networks with city, people, nature, geography.