When it comes to matters of defining the universe, my mind always cycles back to this: This universe has no beginning or end in it's existence, and no edge or center; that it it TRULY infinite - at least, as far as we can perceive of it at this moment. Who knows, maybe someday a guy with computer or a guy who IS a computer.....

When it comes to consciousness, our perception of the world, and existence itself, we do know one thing that we can tell ourselves - "I exist". After that, through a scientific method, we can discern other things that, while they may not be entirely true, ARE apparent and discernible in the fact that something is there. Using this we can build a picture of the world around us that, while it may not be entirely true, WORKS. After this, I simply stop worrying about whether what I'm perceiving is real and just go with it. It's apparent that something is out there, and I didn't start doubting it until I learned philosophy. Besides, assuming you're the only thing in existence and that everything else is an illusion that YOU project is kinda arrogant if you ask me. Fast track to a god complex, right there.

Consciousness, in my opinion, does NOT alter the fabric of the universe in any other way than a plant or a rock does. Consciousness is a by=product of the brain, a term of thought created and not possible without it, making it a part of the noosphere, if anything else.

As for the talking computer's bit, they've been doing it in video games for a loooooong long while. Just because a program can make words appear on a screen doesn't make it sentient. Stop humanising everything you see, guys!