From: Dickey, Michael F (michael_f_dickey@groton.pfizer.com)
Date: Wed Mar 05 2003 - 11:07:52 MST
On Tue, 4 Mar 2003, Robert J. Bradbury wrote:
> So, *why* the blazes is the ExI list debating IRAQ when
> it should be debating caloric intake? Just what part
> of the principle of "rational thinking" is not being
> understood (e.g. saving more people is perhaps better
> than saving fewer people)? While I will freely
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I personally think the most extropic thing extropians could do in regards to
the obesity 'problem' is to create a simple, inexpensive, and attractive
manner for the average person to easily overcome their obesity problem.
This has all-ready been solved in concept in a suggestion I saw another list
member make, I believe it was Spike but I am not positive. Anyhow, a simple
device, an implant in the abdomen or so, that would process carbohydrates
into h20 and co2. Most of the bodies processes work on diffusion so the
mere fact that such an implanted device would create an excess of CO2 and a
deficit of carbohydrates would likely facilitate a successful integration of
such a device into the body with little beyond its self contained components
necessary. Such a device could be devised to 'burn' 100 - 200 calories per
day, over any significant length of time this would cure the 'obesity'
problem, allow people to eat pretty much whatever they want, and be thin and
healthy. We Eat to much because we are genetically inclined to indulge in
times of scarcity but have no mechanism to restrict ourselves in times of
excess. Coming up with a scientific and technical solution to a 'problem'
that technology (through food abundance) caused is the epitome of an
extropic effort.
A cheap, simple implant anyone could get. Ideally, it would be even better
if such a device could power external electronic devices.
I found this idea quite fascinating when it was proposed on this list a few
months back, it didn't seem to generate much interest, but it's a great idea
IMHO. In my own limited research into the topic I found a class of fuel
cells called 'Microbial Fuel Cells' which do just this, and they are being
researched to power robots called 'Gastrobots' since they function on a
'stomach'
There are a heck of a lot of intelligent electrical engineering, physics,
and chemistry people on this list, perhaps a calloborative effort could
bring such a device into existence.
Michael Dickey
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