[extropy-chat] Freitas' path to nanotech

[Hal Finney]

Robert Freitas has published an abridged version of a talk he gave at
the Foresight Conference last month,
http://www.molecularassembler.com/Papers/PathDiamMolMfg.htm , "Pathway
to Diamond-Based Molecular Manufacturing".  IMO this has the most
significant and impressive ideas about a possible path to Drexlerian
nanotech in years.

I don't have time to write about it in detail, but Freitas basically
describes a method which is (arguably) technologically feasible today,
for building a limited variety of diamondoid structures, with a somewhat
more sketchy path towards a self-reproducing system.  There are a number
of question marks and open problems, but it is a far more plausible and
detailed path than anything I have seen from Drexler or Merkle.

I'll try to write more soon.

Hal