As a follow-on to recent posts here and here, I’d like to offer a crisp example of the standards of cognitive reflection that were taught in the once-upon-a-time United States: a sample from Studies in Civics (1897), a high school textbook.
TO STUDENTS.
You will notice in chapter one that at the close of nearly every paragraph [...]For a good overview of structural DNA nanotechnology and DNA origami (a molecular wonder of the modern world), see this presentation from a course in the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois. The subject calls for a strong visual presentation, and the slides deliver this together with a good description of DNA engineering [...]…there’s a metacognition deficit. Very few in public life habitually step back and think about the weakness in their own thinking and what they should do to compensate…
Of the problems that afflict the country, this is the underlying one.
David Brooks, (“A Case of Mental Courage”, New York Times)
Brooks begins with the story of how [...]“How to Learn about Everything”, now in Belorussian translation:
(With thanks to Patricia Clausnitzer!)
I’ve updated “The Physical Basis of High-Throughput Atomically Precise Manufacturing”. Not a big change, but I expanded the discussion of reliable molecular modeling of selected, highly constrained systems, along the lines discussed here: “Making vs. Modeling: A paradox of progress in nanotechnology”.
A reader asks a general question about mechanosynthesis — How could a device release a reactive molecule once it’s bound to a product? — and I’d like to outline why there are many answers.
Mechanosynthesis is a very broad concept, and describes the operational principle of mechanisms that range from ribosomes in cells to rotary devices [...]Mobile factories that fit in a standard shipping container make replacement parts on-site, on-demand. Better and smaller systems in your neighborhood someday; military systems in Afghanistan today. John Robb sees them as part of a trend toward hyperlocal manufacturing.
Many of you have an interest in human longevity in general and in being healthier and living longer personally. If we want to help develop and guide nanotech and other advanced technologies, we need to stay healthy.
I am organizing a conference on this topic, October 9-10, here in the Bay Area:
http://lifeextensionconference.com
You will recognize some of [...]
Only 19 hours left until the Summit kicks off, and we are almost sold out of seats! Register now, if you haven’t yet, to ensure a seat.
There are also still slots available for our Meet & Mingle with the Summit Speakers event on Saturday night.
For those who have registered, see you at the Hyatt [...]
Many of you will recall Bill Joy’s famous article in Wired called Why the future doesn’t need us, where he expressed concern about various technologies including advanced nanotech. Apparently he gave an update of his views on this in his talk for TED, viewable here. An excerpt:
So if we can address, use technology, [...]