> First, there is the problem of energy, which is neither replicable nor
> renewable.
A double "HUH?". I am aghast at the engineering naiveté of that statement. For
transhumanity's purposes well into the next millennium w/o any significant
scientific breakthroughs, their is enough energy to power global output at its
current rate of consumption for several trillion years. That energy source is the
Sun. It may not be infinite, but it is renewable for all intents and purposes.
Another source of great promise is the thermal differential of the oceans which
can be tapped using OTEC generators. Again this is not an infinite source of
energy but very renewable. The differential tapped by the OTEC is renewed again
by the thermal output of the sun. With the combination of solar panels on land
and OTEC's on the ocean, their would be enough energy output to easily transport
all human culture right into the nanotech era; and with minimal impact on the
environment.
Paul