Space colonization via nanotech
from the there's-plenty-of-room-at-the-top dept.
David Coutts writes "I'm a big fan of the Living Universe Foundation, and a member. I agree with their goal of the human civilisation of space, starting with our own solar system (they call this phase "Solaria", the equivalent of Kardashev Level 2) and then on to the Milky Way galaxy ("Galactica", or K-3). Until recently, they don't appear to have taken nanotechnology seriously, so I was delighted to read the following article on nano fibers in the online "Distant Star" magazine: http://www.distant-star.com/issue13/jan_2001_nanofibers.htm Personally, I would like to see Foresight Institute and the Living Universe work together to ensure that there is a place for humanity in space, starting with our own solar system." CP: One point of disagreement would be that LUF wants to colonize the ocean surface first.
January 24th, 2001 at 6:47 PM
Why humans in space?
If you have full NT, and arguably you need full nanotech to put many humans in space anyway, then why would you populate the solar system, much less the galaxy with humans in their current form? You would have more than sufficient technology to deploy advanced AI, robotics and to redesign human beings rather drastically. A problem I've always had with the Millenial Foundation and now the LUF is the apparent assumption that we will or should spread human and other earthlife as is throughout the galaxy. There doesn't seem to be much acknowledgement of the fact that we have evolved to the point of now being able to take control of the evolution of life, biological and otherwise, from this point forward.
January 25th, 2001 at 10:12 PM
Re:Why humans in space?
Why *not* humans in space?
I've read a sampling of the literature on transforming (or, as you put it) deploying advanced AI and robotics to redesign human beings, and I've yet to be convinced as to the need or desirablity of doing so.
Arguments about the desirablity of doing so aside, I find it hard to imagine wanting to cuddle with a 'people' who is capable of traversing the moon sans pressure suit – just doesn't seem like she'd want to discuss classic comedy from Nick at Nite on the couch, ya know?
January 27th, 2001 at 6:41 PM
Re:Why humans in space?
Hi Samantha, I completely agree. For me, it is the spreading of life that is the key. I'd still like to see humanity play its part, but I suspect that our time is limited and that we will be surpassed by our own creations (helped along by nanotechnology, AI, genetics etc) I suspect humanity may make it into our solar system, but will lose out to "fitter" beings from Earth in the race to the stars. My article "The Cassandra Prophecy" covers this and other demographic/evolutionary matters: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~bnbgames/6billionZPG.htm Regards, David
January 29th, 2001 at 6:20 PM
"Waterclap", by Isaac Asimov. A tale with a moral.
Chris, Your comment about LUF wanting to colonise the oceans first struck a real chord with me. I have literally just finished reading a science-fiction story by the late master Isaac Asimov, called "Waterclap". Briefly, the saftey officer for the embryonic Moon colony (which recently suffered a minor catastrophe) is worried about losing out in government funding to the Ocean Deep settlement (which has a perfect safety record). He decides to sabotage the Ocean Deep colony, killing all 50 (plus) people and himself in the process. The enormous pressures so deep in the ocean should disguise his sabotage. The wife of the man in charge of Ocean Deep persuades the Moon Man not to destroy their ocean colony, on the basis that the hidden agenda of the the Ocean Deep colony is to genetically modify humans to live on Jupiter! Her argument (which is actually a lie) works, and the Moon man surrenders rather than destroy such an amazing scheme. However, it turns out that her husband is on the world council, and likes her idea so much that he intends to recommend that they implement her idea!!! I'm not a big fan of the ocean colony idea, but I guess the benefits could be more than they might first appear…
September 10th, 2001 at 11:39 PM
Re:Why humans in space?
Actually, I suspect we may do all of the above. One of the key points about a fully developed nanotech is all the choices that it gives you. At various times and depending on fashion, philosophy, practicality and whim, we will probably see virtually every variant on the human form that our imaginations and technologies can produce. This would also include cybernetic forms, software/virtual forms and various combinations of all of the above. Most of the ideas that have ever been developed for the future form of humanity seem to assume that it will be an all or nothing sort of thing and that once any given form is chosen it will be very difficult if not impossible to switch to something else. I suspect the reality will be much more flexible. We will have all possible forms of humans, organic and otherwise, running around before we're through.