Nanotechnology Immortality Or Total Annihilation Essay Example For Students

Nanotechnology: Immortality Or Total Annihilation? Essay Technology has evolved from ideals once seen as unbelievable to common everyday instruments. Computers that used to occupy an entire room are now the size of notebooks. The human race has always pushed for technological advances working at the most efficient level, perhaps, the molecular level. The developments and progress in artificial intelligence and molecular technology have spawned a new form of technology; Nanotechnology. Nanotechnology could give the human race eternal life, or it could cause total annihilation. The idea of nanotech was conceived by a man named K. Eric Drexler (Stix 94), which he defines as Technology based on the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules to build structures to complex atomic specifications (Drexler, Engines 288). The technology which Drexler speaks of will be undoubtedly small, in fact, nano- structures will only measure 100 nanometers, or a billionth of a meter (Stix 94). Being as small as they are, nanostructures require fine particles that can only be seen with the STM, or Scanning Tunneling Microscope (Dowie 4). Moreover the STM allows the scientists to not only see things at the molecular level, but it can pick up and move atoms as well (Port 128). Unfortunately the one device that is giving nanoscientists something to work with is also one of the many obstacles restricting the development of nanotech. The STM has been regarded as too big to ever produce nanotech structures (Port 128). Other scientists have stated that the manipulation of atoms, which nanotech relies on, ignores atomic reality. Atoms simply dont fit together in ways which nanotech intends to use them (Garfinkel 105). The problems plaguing the progress of nanotech has raised many questions among the scientific community concerning its validity. The moving of atoms, the gathering of information, the restrictions of the STM, all restrict nanotech progress. And until these questions a re answered, nanotech is regarded as silly (Stix 98). But the nanotech optimists are still out there. They contend that the progress made by a team at IBM who was able to write letters and draw pictures atom by atom actually began the birth of nanotech (Darling 49). These same people answer the scientific questions by replying that a breakthrough is not needed, rather the science gained must be applied (DuCharme 33). In fact, Drexler argues that the machines exist, trends are simply working on building better ones (Unbounding 24). Drexler continues by stating that the machines he spoke about in Engines of Creation published in 1986 should be developed early in the 21st century (Unbounding 116). However many scientists still argue that because nanotech has produced absolutely nothing physical, it should be regarded as science fiction (Garfinkel 111). Secondly, nano-doubters rely on scientific fact to condemn nanotech. For example it is argued that we are very far away from ever seeing nanotech due to the fact that when atoms get warm they have a tendency to bounce around. As a result the bouncing atoms collide with other materials and mess up the entire structure (Davidson A1). Taken in hand with the movement of electron charges, many regard nanotech as impossible (Garfinkel 106). But this is not the entirety of the obstacles confining nanotech development. One major set-back is the fact that the nanostructures are too small to reflect light in a visible way, making them practically invisible (Garfinkel 104). Nevertheless, Nanotech engineers remain hopeful and argue that; With adequate funding, researchers will soon be able to custom build simple molecules that can store and process information and manipulate or fabricate other molecules, including more of themselves. This may occur before the turn of the century.(Roland 30) There are other developments also, that are pushing nanotech in the right direction for as Lipkin pointed out recent developments have lead to possibilities of computers thinking in 3-D (5). Which is a big step towards the processing of information that nanotech requires. Although there are still unanswered questions from some of the scientific community, researchers believe that they are moving forward and will one day be able to produce nanomachines. One such machine is regarded as a replicator. A replicator, as its name implies, will replicate; much like the way in which genes are able to replicate themselves (Drexler, Engines 23). It is also believed that once a replicator has made a copy of itself, it will also be able to arrange atoms to build entirely new materials and structures (Dowie 5). Ethnographic Paper EssayOne scenario which illustrates the danger of nanotech is referred to as the gray goo problem. Gray Goo is referred to as when billions of nanites band together and eat everything they come into contact with (Davidson A1). However, Davidson only gets the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the deadliness of gray goo. Roland better illustrates this hazards threat; Nanotechnology could spawn a new form of life that would overwhelm all other life on earth, replacing it with a swarm of nanomachines. This is sometimes called the gray goo scenario. It could take the form of a new disease organism, which might wipe out whole species, including Homo Sapiens(32). Simply put the nanites would replicate to quickly and destroy everything including the human race (Stix 95). Moreover, the rapid replication rate that nanotech is capable of could allow it to out-produce real organisms and turn the biosphere to dust (Drexler, Engines 172). However, death is only one of the da ngers of gray goo. If controlled by the wrong people, nanites could be used to alter or destroy those persons enemies (Roland 32). But gray goo is only of one of the many potential harms of nanotech. If so desired, nanotech could be used as a deadly weapon. Although microscopic robots dont sound like a very effective weapon, Drexler states that they are more potent than Nuclear weapons, and much easier to obtain (Engines 174). But aside from being used as a weapon, nanites would be able to produce weapons at a quick and inexpensive rate. In fact, with the ability to separate isotopes and atoms one would be able to extract fissionable Uranium 235 or Plutonium 239. With these elements, a person has the key ingredients for a nuclear bomb (Roland 34). As a result of the lethality of nano-weapons the first to develop nanotech could use it to destroy his rivals. New methods for domination will exist that is greater than Nukes and more dangerous (Roland 33). This along with simple errors, such as receiving the wrong instructions points toward nanotech doing more harm than good (Darling 56). Moreover, the threats from nanotech could be a potential cause of extinction (Drexler, Engines 174). Drexler continues by saying that unless precautions are taken nano could lead to complete annihilation (Engines 23). However, if nanotech does not lead to extinction, it could be used to increase the power of states and individuals. Bacon believes that only the very most elite individuals will receive benefits from nanotech. Beyond that however, it is perceived that advanced tech extends the possibilities of torture used by a state (Drexler, Engines 176). However, states will become more powerful in other ways. With the increase means of production, nanotech could remove the need for any if not all people (Drexler, Engines 176). This opens new doors for totalitarian states. They would no longer require keeping anyone alive, individuals would not be enslaved, rather they would be killed (Drexler, Engines 176). It is perceived that all the benefits would remove all interdependence, and destroy the quality of life itself (Roland 34). In the end, nanotech could give a lifestyle never before imagined. On the other hand, it could destroy entire species. The effects and potentials of nanotech are best sum med up by its inventor, Drexler, Nanotechnology and artificial intelligence could bring the ultimate tools of destruction, but they are not inherently destructive. With care, we can use them to build the ultimate tools of peace (Engines 190). The question of how beneficial nanotech will prove to be, can only be answered by time. Time will tell whether developments and progress in artificial intelligence and molecular technology will eventually produce true nanotechnology. And, if produced, whether this branch of science will give us immortality or total annihilation.