Re: Goo prophylaxis (was: Hanson antiproliferation method?)

Nicholas Bostrom (bostrom@mail.ndirect.co.uk)
Wed, 27 Aug 1997 23:47:45 +0000


Mark Grant wrote:

> The only difference today is that your
> preferred scenario could come to pass and one group could already be
> powerful enough to prevent competitive research.

Yes, that is one of the main reasons. Another is that if one
nanopower is stronger than another, then it can eliminate it and
easily repair all damages it contracted in the war.

>Nicholas seems to be on the side of the Borg, whereas personally I'm
>for the Armadillos; I can think of few things worse than being the
>only entity in the universe.

No, I have not sided with anyone. I have only discussed the factual
problem, what is likely to happen; not, what would be nicest if it
happened. I think it's important not to let our desires influence the
way we estimate which scenario is most probable.
------------------------------------------------
Nicholas Bostrom
bostrom@ndirect.co.uk

*Visit my transhumanist web site at*
http://www.hedweb.com/nickb