The Biggest Problem of All
Molecular manufacturing will give its wielders extreme power and has the potential to remove or bypass many of today's limits, including laws. That could lead to a planet-wide dictatorship, or to any of several forms of irreversible destruction. Perhaps the biggest problem of all will be how to develop a system of near-absolute power that will not become corrupt.
- From "The Need for Limits" by Chris Phoenix.
Posted today at KurzweilAI.net:
The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (CRN) has created a series of new research papers in which industry experts predict profound impacts of nanotechnology on society. The first set of 11 of these original essays by members of CRN's Global Task Force will appear in the March 27 issue of the journal Nanotechnology Perceptions. KurzweilAI.net will syndicate these essays over that week. In this preview, Chris Phoenix, CRN's director of research, presents the challenge of how to deal with possible unintended consequences of molecular manufacturing.
Tags: nanotechnology nanotech nano science technology ethics weblog blog
Ah, wouldn't that be: how to get everyone to cooperate instead of all defecting?
The Speculist pointed to a talk by Freeman Dyson, who thinks biotech will become domesticated. This might be a good idea for mnt as well. That way power could become as dispersed as possible.
Posted by: Rik | March 24, 2006 at 07:35 AM