Newswise — The development of molecular manufacturing—an advanced form of nanotechnology—will be a hinge point in history. Like the invention of the printing press, steam engines, and computers, molecular manufacturing (MM) will transform business, industry, social structures, and the balance of world power. The question is not if, but when.
Powerful new products made quickly, cheaply, and cleanly, with atomic precision, will impact all of us. People on every continent, in every country, and of every language will be affected. Whether those impacts will be largely beneficial or terribly damaging is unknown.
There are many factors that will determine how soon and how safely MM is integrated into society, including where, how openly, and how rapidly it is developed. Because nanotech manufacturing could be so disruptive and destabilizing, it is essential that we learn as much as possible about those factors and others. The more we know, the better we may be able to guide and manage this revolutionary transformation.
Although it is not yet certain how quickly progress will occur from today's nanoscale technologies to a robust molecular manufacturing capability, recent developments suggest it could be sooner than many expect.
The above is excerpted from an article written by Mike Treder, Executive Director, The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology. Dr. Treder's full report can be read at
http://www.futurebrief.com/miketrederdimensions004.asp
About Mike Treder
Mike Treder is a professional writer, speaker, and activist with a background in technology and communications company management. In 2002, Treder co-founded the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (CRN), a non-profit think tank. CRN promotes public awareness and education, and the crafting of effective policy to maximize benefits and reduce dangers. Treder is executive director of CRN. As an accomplished presenter on the societal implications of emerging technologies, he has addressed conferences and groups in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, and Brazil.
In addition to his work with CRN, Treder is a Research Fellow with the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, a consultant to the Millennium Project of the American Council for the United Nations University and to the Future Technologies Advisory Group, serves on the Advisory Board of the Global Risks Council, is on the Nanotech Briefs Editorial Advisory Board and on the Board of Directors of the World Transhumanist Association, is a member of the Executive Advisory Team for the Extropy Institute, a member of the New York Academy of Sciences, and a member of the World Future Society. He also founded the Incipient Posthuman website and is listed as a "Big Thinker" on KurzweilAI.net. Treder lives in New York City.
About Future Brief
Quantum physics, terrorism, Moore's Law, global warming, increasing human migration, incurable deadly viruses, ever more sophisticated surveillance, the list goes on and on. We speak of "global community", but can forget that community-building has always been a painful experience in human history. The reward potential is balanced by the risk potential. Neither should be ignored.
Scientists today speak of the "NBIC convergence" - the interaction of advances in nanotechnology, biotechnology, the information sciences, and the cognitive sciences. Future Brief takes one step back and looks at the greater convergence of the accelerating changes in science and technology with the equally rapidly accelerating changes in society and politics.
Future Brief is an organic, growing resource center. What you see now is only a beginning. Our purpose is not only to provide commentary, but also to provide services to those with an interest in global convergence. This convergence is of critical importance to all of us today and to those who will follow us in the future. We can either choose to deal constructively with it now or be forced to deal with it abruptly following a global catastrophe. We opt for the former.
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Not only is our global community changing, it is changing at an accelerating pace. If you don't keep up, you will fall behind. Linear thinking will not suffice in an exponentially changing world.
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