Re: SOCIAL: Military and nanotech

> Not sure what you mean here.  Nanotech does not generally have the power
> to morph preexisting "dumb" objects.


WHAT??? Is utility fog incapable of embeding itself in jello? Are burrowing
nanites impossible?
With all the conjecture regarding DNA recontructionism (possibly allowing us
even Odo-like capabilities)
what exactly are you saying?

  On another note, a few ideas on the value of 3d printers...

       Much consideration has been given to various ways the introduction of
nano-facilities might play out in terms of social context.  In the
current climate of "Fear of Terrorism" nanotechnological capability could
only exacerbate those fears. A big concern would be to clamp down
on public access to this "most dangerous" technology.  Although "fear of
abuse" is a real concern; I need to think that any desire to abuse the
power of nanotech comes from having grown in the dysfuntionalisms of this
pre-nanotech culture.

       However, if desktop fabricator (3d printers) systems become popular,
many of the benefits we hope to gain through nanotechnology
(home fabrication, downloadable designs and the societal differences from
the changes incurred through their popularization), we may find
ourselves living less in a climate of fear and more in an era of freedom,
hope and accelerated progress.

        The potential of these devices must not be understated.
Nanotechnology, when it comes of age, presents such a profound and
fundamental alteration to so many aspects of society and the world, that I
percieve the DF, even with it's somewhat limited capacity, as an
excelent means to popularizing the perspective of "Matter as Software".

       When significant numbers of DF's are aquired by consumers new markets
open up. The Design of Interesting, Usefull products
fabricatable with DF soars! It fosters innovation! The tools,instruments to
implement discovery are always at hand! The bull market starts
demanding "Full Color DFs" (my euphemism for DFs with more and better base
materials!).  It's product changes by internet download!

Programs that facilitate design, design search and distribution are demanded
and supplied. Need I say that all or any above attributes paves
the road to nanotech useage/acceptance in ways unlikely to be met by any
other means.  I can think of no better way to inculcate world mind
with the full ramifications of post-nanotech potential.

Conclusion:
 The part that 3d printers play in the transition to mainstream
nanotechnology, should not be under-valued. Through the
popularization of 3d printers, many of the key benefits we hope to gain
through nanotechnology will become main-stream ideas unconjoined
to the darker side of nanotechnology.