X-Message-Number: 12713
From: "john grigg" <>
Subject: exciting times ahead as we witness events building up momentum...
Date: Thu, 04 Nov 1999 15:22:10 PST

Hello everyone,

George H. Smith wrote:
>If, as now seems inevitable since July 20th's monumental >nano-computer 
>breakthrough, molecular nanotechnology will be >developed, wealth will 
>become the norm through technology until (as I >have detailed in past 
>posts) money becomes no longer necessary, and >hence ceases to exist in any 
>form.

Since technological advance is a driving force for economic growth I can see 
how the breakthroughs with molecular switch driven computing will bring much 
more prosperity.  I see money being of necessity for quite awhile still 
though.  Nanotech will have to mature I think before we see the total 
transformation of society and eradication of poverty and need that we all 
want.

Even with open source blueprints available on the net I would think there 
would still be a need for money to keep the infrastructure of corporate 
research and development going.  People would want the latest and most 
advanced designs and be willing to pay for them.

The "lower middle-class" of fifty to eighty years from now will have good 
housing, transportation and nutrition but lack the status symbols and state 
of the art the wealthier will be able to purchase.  I might have to manage 
in my moller skycar while Saul Kent uses his aerospace plane. :)

I realize I might be describing an intermediate state before the one George 
H. Smith envisions becomes a reality.  I would be curious to learn of this 
scenario.  I suppose I am stuck in the "money-driven economy" paradigm of 
the time I was born into.

>I smile sometimes at the assumptions I read that this new technology >will 
>continue to develop as slowly as previous "bulk" technologies.  >As has 
>been outlined in Drexler's books already, when we get to >ignition point, 
>the breakthroughs will spread like wildfire.  If we >survive the dangers at 
>all, it will be totally unlike anything which >has happened before.

I agree that things will develop quickly.  In fact with the molecular switch 
advance I see things going much faster now.  If I understood correctly some 
scientists are saying within five years this form of computing should be 
perfected and marketable.

I really, really want to witness this transformed world but when things are 
getting really great I will be an old man.  I will be seventy in the year 
2037!  Many of you will be in suspension in that year!

>But when that "ignition point" will happen remains the open question.

Do you think within the next five years?  Or do you mean something more 
along the extropian lines of the singularity?

I just want George H. Smith to know how much I appreciate his enthusiasm and 
positive attitude.  I have enjoyed his posts and my private correspondances 
with him.  I hope he gets to see the bright future he is looking forward to.


Sincerely,

John Grigg



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