Hal F. responded to Robert J.B.:
> > The main point I was trying to make was to counter Robin's statement that
> > we don't know if we can do hard nanotechnology. Robin is correct in that
> > there is no "evidence proof" as there is with wet(bio)-nanotechnology.
> > However, molecular assembly per se *is* not nessessary for a Dyson Shell
> > full of computronium in a short time.
>
>I think Robin was trying to close any loopholes in his argument about
>filters, by suggesting that it is likely that any technologically advanced
>civilization would be able to do megascale engineering. ...
Yes, Hal has summarized my intention well, perhaps better than I did.
Robin Hanson rhanson@gmu.edu http://hanson.gmu.edu
Asst. Prof. Economics, George Mason University
MSN 1D3, Carow Hall, Fairfax VA 22030
703-993-2326 FAX: 703-993-2323