1) What dangers does nanotechnology pose?
SUB: What is the "gray goo" doom scenario?
Nanotech poses several dangers from uncontrolled expansion to social upheaval.
Ecophagy ("gray goo") is the scenario in which self-replicating nanomachines capable of digesting the organic feedstock of a planet undergo unrestricted exponential growth.
Future shock is the term used to apply to the psychological response of individuals and social groups to a great advance in technology. It has a varied nature and wide range of possible effects. As such it still comes under discussion regularly in the sci.nanotech group and is still showing surprises. {AJ}
2) What safeguards can prevent nanotechnology horrors?
The problem of ecophagy, commonly termed "gray goo", is one that has been known from the early days of nanotechnology. It has been studied in detail and effective methods of combating it have been produced.
Future shock is altogether a much harder problem. The best ways to prevent this appear at present to be through education, allowing the general public to approach the change through a gradually built confidence in the technology. The possibilities made available to us through this new technology are "mind-numbing" to put it simply, reducing the shock is a prime candidate for sociological study at present. However it is a tricky subject and no perfect solutions may be possible, the change is vast and the future possibilities are even more so. {AJ}
3) How will nanotechnology affect society?
The interdependency we have in today's society comes from the mega centralization of manufacturing and capital. However, it seems clear that nanotech will make a much more decentralized manufacturing possible, perhaps even decentralized o your basement. If that is the case we should see a sharp change. In prehistory we were dependent on ourselves and our family, then we move to tribal organization, then to micro states, then to major states, then to today, where we are dependent of a large multinational industrial economy for our way of life. However, with the introduction of nanotech we can see a sharp reversal of that, all the way back to the family, in a few short years, because we won't need all these mega-corps or governments to provide our lifestyle. Talk about future shock! {IFO}
4) How will the economy work when we have mature Nanotechnology?
Will there be a need for money when we can use nanotech devices powered by free solar energy to turn garbage into whatever we want?
We still don't have a comprehensive answer to the economy question. But the consensus so far has been that humans will probably always prefer the current system of monetary economy with some form of material basis to value, although some groups may go back to barter. In his article "Tangible Nanomoney" ( Newsletter, Issue II, July 2000, pp. 2-11) Robert Freitas Jr. has done an analysis of the possible elements and monetary forms we could use.
Note though that due to a lack of strong data at present some of the elements quoted may be eliminated from consideration by availability in future space borne sources. Freitas also has as one of his requisites; that the monetary basis be safe to handle, this is not an absolute requirement and alternative systems ignoring this requirement have posed some interesting and exciting possibilities. {AJ and RFJ}
5) What industries will be most affected by nanotechnology and how will they be?
There is no answer to this question at the current time.
6) What industries will nanotechnology eliminate?
There is no answer to this question at the current time.
7) What industries will be least affected by nanotechnology and why?
There is no answer to this question at the current time.