From: hal@finney.org
Date: Thu Sep 14 2000 - 16:25:10 MDT
xgl writes:
> this thread is fast becoming too confusing for me; let's recap. is
> this thread about whether we _can_ over run the solar system, or whether
> we _will_?
"What do you mean 'we', paleface?"
Meaning, there are many people with different views on the matter.
Some may want to grab all the resources they can, others may be more
conservative. When you have a vast space like the solar system, it may
be difficult for the stay-at-homes to enforce their will on those out on
the frontier. If space-based self-replicating machines are practical,
and someone starts chewing up the asteroids and turning them into armed
habitats, how will people on earth stop him?
> to me at least, there is no question that given sophisticated
> nanotech, we would be _able_ to turn the solar system (the galaxy even)
> into a terran breeding ground in an astonishingly short time. however, i
> thought samantha's original point was that once we have such power, we may
> not _want_ to waste it so profligately.
I think it is a mistake to analyze this problem in collective terms.
You need to look at the diversity of goals, drives, and constraints which
people will have. It's hard to judge the scenarios at this point, but
it seems plausible to me that we could end up with a race to acquire,
develop and defend space resources.
Hal
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