[ExI] von Neuman machines

[Anders Sandberg]

I haven't seen that much new since Freitas & Merkle's magisterial book, 
but this is a field that is pretty understudied. Obviously the additive 
manufacturing world has done a lot of very relevant work, but it has not 
been applied directly to self repliaction (with the exception of RepRap).

I am mildly interested in the problem, but may have trouble getting 
research time for it (priorities, priorities...)


On 2016-08-26 05:27, Keith Henson wrote:
> I have recently had two people talk to me about replicators on the
> moon and a robotic self replicating asteroid mining capability.  I
> fear I rained on their parade.  After some reconsideration that might
> not have been entirely justified because I have not thought seriously
> about bulk state replicators for a long time.
>
> The Wikipedia take on the subject is here
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-replicating_machine
>
> I read the article through and don't find substantial advances in
> recent decades.  The article mentions the usual suspects, Eric
> Drexler, Freeman Dyson, Nick Szabo, Robert Freitas and Ralph Merkle.
>
> Question I have is:  Do any of you know of projects beyond what the
> Wikipedia article mentions?
>
> Alternately, do any of you have insight into solving the problems?  I
> am particularly interested in proposals to take an asteroid, say a
> carbonaceous chondrite and make it into useful materials to feed to
> the replicator.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Keith
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-- 
Dr Anders Sandberg
Future of Humanity Institute
Oxford Martin School
Oxford University