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> > "
> I recall in Larry Niven's _A Gift from Earth_, the inhabitants of the planet Plateau used specially bred worms that burrowed for specific metals, refining and excreting them.
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> And while burrowing could create channels for a working fluid to reach geothermal heat sources- might as well be efficient.
If Ufog or some other generic smart-matter scenario, ever becomes common then probably much matter that is not being actively used will be held in common. Ufog-rentum?
Dennis Roberts
drobert@a-o.com