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 28
... copies are often centuries younger than the lost originals . Nonethe- less , from differing copies with differing errors , scholars can recon- struct versions closer to the original . They compare texts . They can trace lines of descent ...
... copies are often centuries younger than the lost originals . Nonethe- less , from differing copies with differing errors , scholars can recon- struct versions closer to the original . They compare texts . They can trace lines of descent ...
Page 58
... copies of itself . It builds one copy in one thousand seconds , thirty - six in ten hours . In a week , it stacks up enough copies to fill the volume of a human cell . In a century , it stacks up enough to make a respect- able speck ...
... copies of itself . It builds one copy in one thousand seconds , thirty - six in ten hours . In a week , it stacks up enough copies to fill the volume of a human cell . In a century , it stacks up enough to make a respect- able speck ...
Page 122
... copies of a DNA molecule will be able to reconstruct an undamaged original — and the billions of cells in a dried skin contain billions of copies . From these , we will be able to reconstruct undam- aged DNA , and around the DNA we will ...
... copies of a DNA molecule will be able to reconstruct an undamaged original — and the billions of cells in a dried skin contain billions of copies . From these , we will be able to reconstruct undam- aged DNA , and around the DNA we will ...
Contents
Engines of Construction | 3 |
The Principles of Change | 21 |
Predicting and Projecting | 39 |
Copyright | |
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ability able active shields arms artificial intelligence atoms automated engineering systems bacteria basic Biochemists biostasis bonds brain build cell repair machines Chapter chemical chines complex computers copies cost damage dangerous described develop devices discussion due process Earth electronic energy Engines of Creation entropy enzymes Eric Drexler EURISKO evolution evolved experiments fact forum faster future genes genetic hardware human hypertext ideas imagine knowledge layer lightsails limits to growth living Marvin Minsky material mechanical memes mental million mind molecular machinery molecular machines molecular technology molecules nanocomputers nanomachines nanotechnology natural neural nuclear organisms patterns possible predict principles problem protein machines replicating assemblers ribosomes Richard Dawkins RNA molecules Robert Ettinger robots rockets science court scientific scientists seems simple simulation space speed spread survive synapses technical technology race tion tissue viruses vitrification