Implications of Self-Replicating Machines:
If you search Google with the term Self-Replicating Machines, you come across a variety of websites. Some of them are news articles about the Cornell Researchers who have made break throughs with their little cubes that replicate. You also get information about the subject from wikipedia, some information about von Neumann, and of course some ads about copy machines.
Wikipedia offers some of the best information in many subjects so I used that as a research tool.
If you search Google with the term Self-Replicating Machines, you come across a variety of websites. Some of them are news articles about the Cornell Researchers who have made break throughs with their little cubes that replicate. You also get information about the subject from wikipedia, some information about von Neumann, and of course some ads about copy machines.
Wikipedia offers some of the best information in many subjects so I used that as a research tool.
As we know it, the self-replicating machine is not yet possible. The little factories that replicate will undoubtedly be a few decades away however, once we possess these wonders, life will surely change. If we set them up to be like the infamous 'astrochicken', we will learn alot about the way the solar system, the universe, and perhaps even evolution work.
Once we start the self-replicating machines on their journey to populate the stars, it will be interesting to see how they are affected by the reproduction and radiation of space. As many have already stated, it will be key to have robust error correction. Though it would be quite interesting to see what would happen if we let the machines replicate with errors. Most would probably shut down but mutations in the code may result in some highly complex behavior.
Other advantages could come from sensors and radio transimissions from the machines. While on their journey through the cosmos, they could transmit scientific data about the area they are in and the composition of matter around them allowing us to further our own knowledge. I would assume that they could also have radio sensors in hopes of detecting other forms of intelligent life.
After self-replicating machines become a reality, there are sure to be policies to follow. Initial policies should include robust error correction. There should also be encryption of the program running the machine so that people cannot turn the machines into weapons. Numerous tv shows and movies have used this as a plot line and even in real life we should be wary of the capabilities of the machines. These machines should only be used to spread information and learn about the stars. They will alter the environment that they land in but they will help gain important information about that same environment. They could help us spread our civilization to the stars.
Implications:
The self-replicating machine is a truly marvelous engineering wonder. Their potential for scientific knowledge is nearly infinite. Though regulation of the machines will be important, once policies and guidelines for their use are laid down, their importance will only grow.
Resources:
http://ai2dot0.blogspot.com/2006/11/self-replicating-machines.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-replicating_machine
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=self-replicating+machines
http://www.acceleratingfuture.com/michael/blog/?p=455
Once we start the self-replicating machines on their journey to populate the stars, it will be interesting to see how they are affected by the reproduction and radiation of space. As many have already stated, it will be key to have robust error correction. Though it would be quite interesting to see what would happen if we let the machines replicate with errors. Most would probably shut down but mutations in the code may result in some highly complex behavior.
Other advantages could come from sensors and radio transimissions from the machines. While on their journey through the cosmos, they could transmit scientific data about the area they are in and the composition of matter around them allowing us to further our own knowledge. I would assume that they could also have radio sensors in hopes of detecting other forms of intelligent life.
After self-replicating machines become a reality, there are sure to be policies to follow. Initial policies should include robust error correction. There should also be encryption of the program running the machine so that people cannot turn the machines into weapons. Numerous tv shows and movies have used this as a plot line and even in real life we should be wary of the capabilities of the machines. These machines should only be used to spread information and learn about the stars. They will alter the environment that they land in but they will help gain important information about that same environment. They could help us spread our civilization to the stars.
Implications:
The self-replicating machine is a truly marvelous engineering wonder. Their potential for scientific knowledge is nearly infinite. Though regulation of the machines will be important, once policies and guidelines for their use are laid down, their importance will only grow.
Resources:
http://ai2dot0.blogspot.com/2006/11/self-replicating-machines.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-replicating_machine
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=self-replicating+machines
http://www.acceleratingfuture.com/michael/blog/?p=455
