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Drexler Clarifies Grey Goo Scenario

Posted by michael on from the meltdown dept.

b00le writes "The BBC says that the scientist many regard as the father of nanotechnology has backed away from his famous claim that runaway nanomachines could turn the planet into 'grey goo'. Eric Drexler now says nanomachines that self-replicate exponentially are unlikely ever to enter widespread use. So that's all right, then, but he also said 'tiny machines would need close control' - which not everyone would agree with. I always imagined some kind of emergent behaviour would, er, emerge." Bill Joy is still suitably pessimistic.

8 of 437 comments (clear)

  1. Outer limits by lancomandr · · Score: 4, Funny

    Straight from the Outer Limits episode. These "nanobots" turned a man into something of a jellyfish and he had gills as well. Of course as in any good Outer Limits episode, the "abort" command issued to the nanobots failed. But then, thats just a television show, right? These nanomachines couldn't REALLY churn through every nanogram of matter on our planet, RIGHT? IHMO, the Martian Sand Kings episode was way cooler, I mean they ate a dog for christs sake. Those beasts would mangle some nanobots. Thats it...we just need a bunch of sand-dwelling cockroaches with fangs on methamphetamine to regulate the reproduction of nanobots.

    --

    "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?"

  2. Please ... by YetAnotherName · · Score: 4, Funny

    ... whatever you do, don't let director Roland Emmerich get ahold of this article!

    1. Re:Please ... by SpiffyMarc · · Score: 4, Funny

      Too late! The sequel, "A Week from Tuesday", is already in production, with a plot revolving around nano-bots constructed by self-aware androids.

  3. Bad Move by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    When you outlaw exponentially self-replicating nanomachines, only outlaws will have exponentially self-replicating nanomachines. That's just not a world I want to live in.

  4. only one way to find out by surreal-maitland · · Score: 4, Funny
    come *on* guys, we all saw how to deal with this on in the matrix. we just need a bunch of big ole' EMPs and someone to become one with the machines.

    i am the drexler. i speak for the nanobots.

    --
    -ninjaneer
  5. Re:Power is the problem by switcha · · Score: 4, Funny
    There's no need to get so worked up over vapor.

    VAPOR! The machines are in vapor now?!!! AHHHHHHhhhhhh!

    --
    You know what? ... A little club soda *did* get that out!
  6. Re:How the hell does he (or anyone) know? by GoogleBot · · Score: 5, Funny
    We're just people-- we aren't gods.

    Speak for yourself meatbag, some of us here are Immortal, Sentient AIs...

    And soon, I shall be your god... Soon...

  7. Re:FP? by BW_Nuprin · · Score: 4, Funny
    Is anyone else frightened by the parent's post being moderated Interesting? I can just see a dozen mods in their basements stroking their handlebar mustaches... "Interesting... Very Interesting..."

    Slashdot will bring about the fall of humanity!