[extropy-chat] Social Implications of Nanotech

[Dan Clemmensen]

Damien Broderick wrote:

>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Dan Clemmensen" <dgc at cox.net>
>Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2003 12:18 PM
>
>  
>
>>Most current hypothetical MNT centers on carbon,
>>which can be extracted from the air. A more sophisticated MNT will use
>>H, O  and N, all from the air, and Si, from the ground. Furthermore, MNT
>>should permit recycling at the atomic level. Therefore, the material
>>feedstocks also go to zero, at least for enough material to support an
>>extravagantly luxurious lifestyle for evey human (Pre-SI).
>>    
>>
>
>This is discussed in moderate detail, drawing on analyses by Robert Freitas
>and Robert Bradbury, in the 2001 US edition of THE SPIKE, pp. 323-4. I've
>been trying to paste in this material from my file of the book, and the
>damned thing won't let me do it; sorry.
>
>
>  
>
I know it's not original. We were discussing this stuff in 1996, also, I 
consider it to be part of our collective knowledge base, but I thought 
it was relevant to Robin's paper.  I loaned my 2001 edition to a friend, 
so I only have the 1997 edition here now.  (I still remember the thrill 
of buying a book on the web from an Australian bookstore. I think it was 
the first web purchase I ever made.)