Re: [silk] More from Bill Joy

["Arsalan Zaidi" <arsalan_zaidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Arsalan Zaidi wrote:
>
> > Slightly OT. I sometimes wonder at the excitement the concept of
> > self-replicating nano machines generates. Wouldn't it be far easier to
use
> > existing micro-organism to do the work you want? Better to use existing
> > 'code' rather than re-inventing the wheel.
>
> You may observe that biology did not invent the macroscopic wheel, nor
> the electromotor, nor the plasma drive, nor the atmospheric reentry heat
> shield, the superconductor, radio communication nor the terawatt pulse
> laser. Critters do not operate in a vacuum; they're a part of the
> biosphere and hence subject to its usual direct or indirect feedback and
> regulations mechanisms, as well as design limitations. They can't cross
> extended patches of bad fitness landscape in person, and mutation-driven
> tunnelling is highly limited in extent. The reason we're wrecking so
> much without even really trying is because we've stepped outside of the
> domain of biology with our technology. Nothing can touch us but ourselves.
>

Cool explaination.

<snippage of more cool stuff>


> A neologism, a set of blanketing countermeasures against acts of
> bioterrorism and flareups of highly lethal natural pathogens. We don't
> have anything like that in place yet. (Wink, wink, nudge, nudge).
>
Countermeasures? The best we can do is try and contain the infection and
hope for the best. Coming up with a cure in a couple of hours will probably
be a tad difficult...
<X-Files>
Unless of course, the pathogen in question is one that has been developed by
the govt. itself!
</X-Files>

> > What kind of 'quite, pragmatic solutions' could there possibly be?
>
> In case of bioterrorism: A network of biological sniffers in urban areas
> with wireless realtime reporting. Blanket PCR screen for nonhuman DNA of
> all blood and tissue samples submitted. Infrastructure to rapidly order
> and enforce a stringent curfew and quarantine cordoning. Ubiquitous
> presence of personal sterile seals and training in their use. And quite
> a few other things I forgot.
>
> It's doable technically, and not even prohibitively expensive. It's a
> political and social problem, mostly.

I'd say! Though it could probably be easy to set up in Britain :-D Think
about it. Would you want the govt. tracking your every move? 'Screening' you
every time you enter or leave an airport... a theater... a sports stadium?
Would you really want the govt to have the infrastructure in place to
"rapidly order and enforce a stringent curfew and quarantine cordoning"? I
think not!

--Arsalan.