Subject: [extropy-chat] Social Implications of Nanotech

[CurtAdams at aol.com]

Without self-replication, I don't see any good reason that nanotechnology 
will 
produce effects fundamentally different from other revolutionary techs, like
railroads, electricity, scientific drug design or computers.  You will have 
major
social effects, sure, that details of which will depend on exactly what you 
can
do efficiently with nano (currently unclear and speculative)  There will 
be early high value uses when the tech is expensive.   Tech prices will fall 
over
time and use will become more and more widespread.  Eventually it will become
widespread enough that the society will regear to base function on the tech.
But the whole process will take some time.