----- Original Message -----
From: Thomas Lunde <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; graffis-l <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: July 06, 1999 7:31 PM
Subject: Re: [graffis-l] The Virtual Alchemists
The following lengthy article, I think is very important. I have long
thought that the "replicator" used in the Star Trek space series was the
ultimate invention. The creation of matter by basic molecular
reconstruction solves that Starships food problem. On Earth, we may find
that a "replicator" technology might supply needed resource material we have
overused or perhaps even food that can be made as a manufactured product
based on mathematically knowing all the molecular compounds and developing
ways to combine them. What freedom that would bring - that each person
might have the "means of production" as defined in Hilaire Belloc's book The
Servile State - and perhaps more than just production, but also, the
creation of all necessary and luxury items a person could desire - made from
recombining at the molecular level. Is that a possibilitythat can be drawn
from this article below?
Respectfully,
Thomas Lunde
----------
[snip]
In the latter part of "The End of Work" (sorry, Ed!) Rifkin says that the
big changes in the next few decades will be in biotechnology and food
production with the latter moving to a factory environment with an even
smaller workforce than today.
Rifkin did not elaborate on the details. My own guess is that with advances
in biotech and adequate computing power it will be possible to grow yeast or
some other micro-organism in vats, which when processed will have the taste
and texture and appearance of steak or corn-on-the-cob or whatever we want.
Pretty close to a replicator.
I would not suggest, however, that such an advance would mean we could stop
worrying about world population.
Live long and prosper
Victor Milne
WebWizard HTML Design
at http://www.web-wiz.org
FIGHT THE BASTARDS! An anti-neoconservative website
at http://www3.sympatico.ca/pat-vic/pat-vic/
LONESOME ACRES RIDING STABLE
at http://www3.sympatico.ca/pat-vic/home.htm
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