Engines of CreationIn this original book about the consequences of new technologies, Drexler takes the reader through exhilarating new discoveries and the promise of those around the corner. Beginning with the insight that what we can do depends on what we can build, Drexler analyzes nanotechnology, which involves the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules. He makes a plausible case for expecting technological developments in artificial intelligence and molecular engineering that will result in tiny mechanisms being controlled by microscopic powerful thinking computers. He also explains how the new alternatives could be directed toward vital human concerns -- wealth or poverty, health or sickness, peace or war. ISBN 0-385-19972-4: $17.95. |
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Page 6
Biochemists dream of designing and building such devices , but there are difficulties to be overcome . Engineers use beams of light to project patterns onto silicon chips , but chemists must build much more indirectly than that .
Biochemists dream of designing and building such devices , but there are difficulties to be overcome . Engineers use beams of light to project patterns onto silicon chips , but chemists must build much more indirectly than that .
Page 58
It builds one copy in one thousand seconds , thirty - six in ten hours . ... Thus the first replicator assembles a copy in one thousand seconds , the two replicators then build two more in the next thousand seconds , the four build ...
It builds one copy in one thousand seconds , thirty - six in ten hours . ... Thus the first replicator assembles a copy in one thousand seconds , the two replicators then build two more in the next thousand seconds , the four build ...
Page 59
If a replicating assembler can copy itself in one thousand seconds , then it can be programmed to build something else its own size just as fast . Similarly , a ton of replicators can swiftly build a ton of something else - and the ...
If a replicating assembler can copy itself in one thousand seconds , then it can be programmed to build something else its own size just as fast . Similarly , a ton of replicators can swiftly build a ton of something else - and the ...
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Great Book
User Review - nubianangel - Overstock.comEngines of Creation is a very good book to help the nonscientist get a grasp on the complexities of nano technology where we are and where we could go with it. While it breaks the information down to ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - mentatjack - LibraryThingThis is one of my favorite science non-fiction books ever. If you've enjoyed any of the nanotechnology in science fiction in the last few decades, it was probably informed in some way by Drexler's ... Read full review
Contents
Engines of Construction | 3 |
The Principles of Change | 21 |
Predicting and Projecting | 39 |
Copyright | |
15 other sections not shown
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Common terms and phrases
ability able active already arms assemblers atoms basic become better biostasis brain bring build called cell repair machines Chapter chemical complex computers consider copies cost damage dangerous described develop devices direct discussion Earth effect electronic energy engineering evolution evolved example exist fact force future genes give groups grow growth holds human hypertext ideas imagine institutions intelligence knowledge lead less light limits living machinery material matter means mechanical memes million mind molecular molecular machines molecules move nanotechnology natural organisms patterns possible present principles problem produce protect protein quantum mechanics reach reason remain replicators require seems selection shape simple space speed spread structures success suggest technical things thousand tion tissue understand universe
Bibliographic information
| Title | Engines of Creation The Anchor library of science |
| Author | K. Eric Drexler |
| Contributor | Marvin Minsky |
| Publisher | Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1986 |
| Original from | the University of Michigan |
| Digitized | 28 Jan 2010 |
| ISBN | 0385199724, 9780385199728 |
| Length | 298 pages |
| Subjects | › Technology & Engineering / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |