"Richard Harrison" wrote in message
...
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ComputerDoctor randomly hit the keyboard and managed to
write on 21/12/2003 23:46:

| Ben Bova wrote:
| " We are nearing the point where we can produce machines
that are
| intelligent, and can reproduce themselves endlessly.
Perhaps it is
| intelligent machines who will inherit the universe. "
|
| Does anyone have any idea what he is talking about here?
| I presume the intelligent machines are our computers.

Nanobots.

| The MTBF of these machines is pathetically short,
| and the software needs such careful tending that I can
make a living at it
| :-)

At this stage of development the nanobots will be able to
analyse/re-program
themselves.

Yup. Or, rebuild themselves and/or replicate
themselves--babybots? Nanunanabots?

| Are the computers going to dig up their own silicon, etc
etc ?
| Will the oil last long enough to inherit the universe?

Sand. Also if they are in space... lots of raw material.

Sure--comets have plenty raw materials and the Oort cloud
enough for millions of years at least. And solar energy is
out there galore--besides, why does ComputerDoctor assume
oil is the only source of energy even on Earth; besides
solar, wind, water wave, and geothermal, just 2 words,
nuclear energy (fission and fusion!)

| IMHO we have reached peak world oil production, and from
here on the price
| of fuel can only increase rapidly (like it did in USSR
before the collapse),
| making international trade and our whole 'intelligent'
way of life
| impossible, including our intelligent machines.

Whereas if you create true *Minds* as in Ian 'M' Banks
novels they will be able
to solve all our problems.

Sure, and long before even the oil gives out. Bank's
advanced "minds" allow for a commodity-free Culture, i.e.,
completely cost-free goods makes the concept of possessions
unnecessary. I'd settle for a culture with only 1% of
today's cost. Feasible in maybe a few centuries on Earth?
...tonyC

Richard
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