These types of comments have been bounced around on this list for a while
and I have a few comments that I think are very relevant to the issues here.
This community *is* large enough to effect significant change in the world
of technology. The big problem is that everyone on this list seems to want
to make huge leaps in technology, rather than following a more incremental
path. While huge leaps are great, it is highly unlikely and financially
unsound as an investment.
There are numerous, profitable markets between here and singularity. Don't
invest in nanotech, invest in a company that creates protein modeling
software. It is unlikely that we will invent nanotech before we can
properly model complex organics. As much as we would like to ignore it,
there is a great deal of continuity in technological progress. If you want
to accelerate the outcome, work on fixing the more short-term technology
problems and make a little money while you are at it. Not only is it
generally more profitable, but a lot more people will be willing to invest
in your ideas.
-James Rogers
jamesr@best.com