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>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 whi
by 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 agoHow would we have ubiquitous computing without metals? Or really any tools, modern or not?
- astazangasta 10y agoYes, where on Earth can we find examples of computing that rely only on organic inputs?
- fixermark 10y agoHey, 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 agoHere'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 agoI 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 agoHow 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?