Bigthink - Idea Comments Feed

Comment on: Re: Regarding Nano-Technology And The Human Life-Span

Bigthink — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 03:41:18 +0100

Well, one would hope we could design some sort of fail-safe mechanism similar to the brake example you mentioned. The problem arises when you consider the details of the machines' evolution. If a batch of engineered evo-bots mutated in a dangerous fashion and the fail-safe mechanism was applied, the chances will always exist that at least one bot could mutate randomly in such a way that the default shut-down is overridden. This is assuming that these bots evolve in the natural fashion; from random mutations that are selected for. So it's easy to see how nature would select for these rogues and their numbers would then grow exponentially to the point where we could not contain them.

Comment on: Re: Regarding Nano-Technology And The Human Life-Span

Bigthink — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:51:54 +0100

Thanks Bri7609 -- Interesting food for thought.

My thinking is that these evolving nano-machines of the future would also have fail-safe mechanisms mandated. Most of today's technical devices that could possibly be involved in potentially dangerous situations, have a benign default when there is a system failure. A simple example would be electric brakes that automatically apply if the power fails. I have not the vaguest idea as to what the equivalent would be to prevent a malevolent mutating nano-bot from taking over the world.

Comment on: Re: Regarding Nano-Technology And The Human Life-Span

Bigthink — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:04:34 +0100

Theoretically, its entirely possible. But there are also some clear inherent dangers in this type of set-up. Giving the machines the ability to utilize organic material to self-replicate and evolve could end up destroying our planet (see: gray goo hypothesis). Imagine if even one single nanomachine was replicated with an error that disabled some engineered control mechanism. This single "mutant" type would reproduce uncontrollably and exponentially, consuming all matter on the planet to make more of itself (This is called ecophagy). Some argue, however, that these nanorobots would only be restricted to reproducing in the domain of organic matter, as they would probably not to be able to obtain the energy necessary for reproduction from material such as rock. Either way, this type of scenario could mean a quick end to life as we know it, and it would only take one small error to bring this about (or, for that matter, an individual with bad intentions). This is one major hurdle nanotech researchers must leap before reaching an end goal of a self-sustaining and evolving beneficial nano-organisms. Interestingly, there has been some amazing work done regarding software that make use of special algorithms to evolve optimal designs for physical products and systems. This type of system essentially uses natural selection and random mutation to select for the "most fit" design (for instance, a car hood with superior aerodynamic properties). Major players in industry have picked up this method to generate more efficient/effective products or systems, at a fraction of the cost and time required for a human to do the same work. Evolutionary software is being used to improve design in circuits, satellites, antennas, automotive parts, among a myriad of other things.
While this is much different than creating nanomachines that can evolve, it shows that at least we are taking a step in the right direction. Organizations such as the Foresight Nanotech Institute are helping guide this emerging technology and address the ethics and consequences involved. If all goes well, we will soon see some truly revolutionary creations that will have an impact on all facets of human life (and will fundamentally alter how we define being "human").

Comment on: Re: Regarding Nano-Technology And The Human Life-Span

Bigthink — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 07:32:33 +0100

If we ever reach the point of truly understanding the evolutionary processes, is it conceivable that we could build nano-whatevers so that they evolve without intervention?