Physicists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have devised an approach that may help unlock the hidden shapes of alternate dimensions of the universe.
"Individuals are getting more and more powerful," says author Glenn Reynolds in his insightful new book, An Army of Davids. "With the current rate of progress we're seeing in biotechnology, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and other technologies, it seems likely that individuals will one day -- and one day relatively soon -- possess powers once thought available only to nation-states, superheroes, or gods.
Ray Kurzweil proposes a strategy for dealing with the dangers from Genetic Engineering, Nanotechnology, and Artificial Intelligence. The strategy includes "a streamlined regulatory process, a global program of monitoring for unknown or evolving biological pathogens, temporary moratoriums, raising public awareness, international cooperation, software reconnaissance, and fostering values of liberty, tolerance, and respect for knowledge and diversity."
Ray Kurzweil has proposed a nanobiotechnology research program to replace the cell nucleus and ribosome machinery with a nanocomputer and nanobot to prevent diseases and aging and another program to create defensive technologies against rogue designer viruses.
"Technology based on intentional, open-source biology is on its way, whether we like it or not. Distributed biological manufacturing is the future of the global economy and will occur as inexpensive, quality DNA sequencing and synthesis equipment becomes available to anyone."
In the foreword for a new book on Virtual Humans, Ray Kurzweil argues that "by the end of this decade, we will have full-immersion visual-auditory environments, populated by realistic-looking virtual humans."
Molecular manufacturing, and the use of molecular assemblers to hold and position molecules, will be key to the future, controlling how molecules react and allowing scientists to build complex structures with atomically precise control. In this essay, Dr. Drexler discusses the benefits and challenges of future molecular manufacturing.
Expert witnesses at a U.S. congressional hearing recommended wider public debate, greater resources to develop defensive technology, and funding of societal, ethical, and environmental impact studies along with technology forecasting and basic science studies.
[ Link to Hearings ]
Kurzweil argues that of all the applications of theraputic cloning, human cloning is the least interesting and least worrisome.
A prominent CEO of a nanotechnology research corporation argues that "Nanotechnology needs a 'grand challenge' project, and energy self-sufficiency is one that would pay huge benefits to both the USA and the world."