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 153
... matter yet ! " Hindsight is all too easy , yet in a world made of matter , inhabited by material people using material tools , this ignorance of the nature of matter was a gap in human knowledge that Michelson should perhaps have noted ...
... matter yet ! " Hindsight is all too easy , yet in a world made of matter , inhabited by material people using material tools , this ignorance of the nature of matter was a gap in human knowledge that Michelson should perhaps have noted ...
Page 158
... matter that makes up the earth's crust is constantly dissipat- ing . Mountains are wearing down and topsoil is being blown away with each passing second . " By " blown away " Rifkin doesn't mean blown into space or blown out of ...
... matter that makes up the earth's crust is constantly dissipat- ing . Mountains are wearing down and topsoil is being blown away with each passing second . " By " blown away " Rifkin doesn't mean blown into space or blown out of ...
Page 159
... matter , " of material entropy increasing of matter becoming " unavailable . " The spread of salt into water in a bottle will serve equally well . Consider , then , a test of the " fourth law of thermodynamics " in the Salt - Water ...
... matter , " of material entropy increasing of matter becoming " unavailable . " The spread of salt into water in a bottle will serve equally well . Consider , then , a test of the " fourth law of thermodynamics " in the Salt - Water ...
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