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I see the beauty in my state, but still want to visit other states. I see the beauty in my country, but still want to visit other countries. Not sure why this t

I see the beauty in my state, but still want to visit other states. I see the beauty in my country, but still want to visit other countries. Not sure why this thought should end at our atmosphere. Also, the only thing that will end mining on this planet is if all humans are dead. Until the Zharnog Mining Fleet from Seeplebop 14 strip mines the entire planet, that is.

astazangasta 10y ago
>Also, the only thing that will end mining on this planet is if all humans are dead. No, we just need to stop depending on metals and fossil fuels, both of which are possible and desirable. We've already come close to achieving the latter; the work of this century will be doing the former. Unless we waste all of our time trying to get into space, that useless, airless desert.
- jkaunisv1 10y ago
  How would we have ubiquitous computing without metals? Or really any tools, modern or not?
  - astazangasta 10y ago
    Yes, where on Earth can we find examples of computing that rely only on organic inputs?
    - fixermark 10y ago
      Hey, if you can find some with radio or miles-distant electrical or optical signalling features, go for it. Until then, I'm going to want at least a few crust-extracted materials to keep the Internet operational so we can even have this conversation from casually-anonymous points on the globe.
      - astazangasta 10y ago
        Here's some hope for optical signalling: http://www.nature.com/articles/srep13615 http://www.nature.com/articles/srep13615 I have very little doubt we'll be printing long wires using just carbon in the next few decades. Until then, sure, let's use crust-extracted materials, but the advantages to making them obsolete are enormous and available.
    - jkaunisv1 10y ago
      I wasn't trying to imply it's impossible, and I agree it's a worthy goal, but I am curious as to some real ideas that would replace our current setup. Doesn't a typical smartphone use dozens of rare metals? People aren't going to give that up for the environment or they would have already, sadly.
    - TeMPOraL 10y ago
      How do you suppose we can gain access to organic computing and manufacturing without going through intermediate, less precise step that requires fuels and metals to compensate for the lack of molecular-level finesse?
denom 10y ago
The immortal words of Lao Tzu: 80.1 Ah, for a small country with a small population! Though there are highly efficient mechanical contrivances, the people have no use for them. Let them mind death and refrain from migrating to distant places. 80.2 Boats and carriages, weapons and armour there may still be, but there are no occasions for using or displaying them. 80.3 Let the people revert to communication by knotting cords. See to it that they are contented with their food, pleased with their clothing, satisfied with their houses, and inured to their simple way of living. 80.4 Though there may be another country in the neighbourhood so close that they are within sight of each other and the crowing of cocks and barking of dogs in one place can be heard in the other, yet there is no traffic between them, and throughout their lives the two peoples have nothing to do with each other.

astazangasta 10y ago

>Also, the only thing that will end mining on this planet is if all humans are dead. No, we just need to stop depending on metals and fossil fuels, both of which are possible and desirable. We've already come close to achieving the latter; the work of this century will be doing the former. Unless we waste all of our time trying to get into space, that useless, airless desert.

jkaunisv1 10y ago
How would we have ubiquitous computing without metals? Or really any tools, modern or not?
- astazangasta 10y ago
  Yes, where on Earth can we find examples of computing that rely only on organic inputs?
  - fixermark 10y ago
    Hey, if you can find some with radio or miles-distant electrical or optical signalling features, go for it. Until then, I'm going to want at least a few crust-extracted materials to keep the Internet operational so we can even have this conversation from casually-anonymous points on the globe.
    - astazangasta 10y ago
      Here's some hope for optical signalling: http://www.nature.com/articles/srep13615 http://www.nature.com/articles/srep13615 I have very little doubt we'll be printing long wires using just carbon in the next few decades. Until then, sure, let's use crust-extracted materials, but the advantages to making them obsolete are enormous and available.
  - jkaunisv1 10y ago
    I wasn't trying to imply it's impossible, and I agree it's a worthy goal, but I am curious as to some real ideas that would replace our current setup. Doesn't a typical smartphone use dozens of rare metals? People aren't going to give that up for the environment or they would have already, sadly.
  - TeMPOraL 10y ago
    How do you suppose we can gain access to organic computing and manufacturing without going through intermediate, less precise step that requires fuels and metals to compensate for the lack of molecular-level finesse?

denom 10y ago

The immortal words of Lao Tzu: 80.1 Ah, for a small country with a small population! Though there are highly efficient mechanical contrivances, the people have no use for them. Let them mind death and refrain from migrating to distant places. 80.2 Boats and carriages, weapons and armour there may still be, but there are no occasions for using or displaying them. 80.3 Let the people revert to communication by knotting cords. See to it that they are contented with their food, pleased with their clothing, satisfied with their houses, and inured to their simple way of living. 80.4 Though there may be another country in the neighbourhood so close that they are within sight of each other and the crowing of cocks and barking of dogs in one place can be heard in the other, yet there is no traffic between them, and throughout their lives the two peoples have nothing to do with each other.