on Mon, Oct 22, 2001 at 04:58:54PM -0700, David Honig (honig@sprynet.com) wrote:
At 01:17 PM 10/22/01 -0700, Steve Schear wrote:
One of the great long term hopes for nanotechnology is the "cornucopia" or StarTrek replicator, a device which can "manufacture" from raw materials and information a broad variety of consumables and hard goods. If it ever does come about and is not something centrally controlled and monitored a 'la Stephenson's Diamond Age, it could usher in an age of individual sovereignty the likes of which the world as not known since its transition from hunter gatherer to agriculture. It might also spell the end of economy.
steve
Replicators exist. They're called computers. They can only replicate bits, but they do so well enough to make Jack Valenti mess his diapers.
As to the end of the economy, see Schneier (et al?)'s _Street Performer Protocol_ (IIRC) paper. But you knew that.
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