September 15, 2007
Saving the Earth - a system problem or not?
Hi,
I often think about our effect on Nature and wonder if The World will survive long enough for us to fix it. We are in a fast moving time frame that is accelerating like a rocket. Forty years ago we could have changed things if we had known what to do, but now we are under the gun of advancing technology, changing economics, fragile friendships with other countries and a political system that elects politicians instead of statesmen. We need a lot of things done differently than they have been done in the past.
Many philosophies advocate changing the individual to fix the system. I feel more comfortable on the side that wants to understand the system before making changes to anything. But if you think you understand the system, you then need to apply your force... read full post..
February 5, 2007
Making Decisions
I look at the world and how humans struggle for dominance or just to be 'right' and I wonder if we will ever work out a way to solve our problems without violence. The wars and stuggles , expecially in the Near East, are almost always struggles for resources. Even America's invasion was directly driven by the need to control resources. All the ethnic struggle seems to be another form of resource stuggle.
A new website at http://www.humanrationality.com is one attempt to define and support the finding of additional tools for rational thought.
We appear to be animals even when we have clear and well spoken arguments about why we do things. By 'animals' I only mean that we are driven by our... read full post..
January 27, 2007
First post in a LONG time
Sorry to have let this blog lay fallow so long. Will try to be more attentive.
Nanotechnology is under strong develoment. Dr Drexler says that the past year, 2006, has shown a strong positive change in the acceptance of Molecular Manufacturing as a possible goal. Before that it was reglegated to science fiction because it predicted too many amazing possibilities. Now it has changed and a lot more people can see the possibility that we may be able to build things like the nanofactory.
The most important ways that nano will help nature is by cleaning up the filth created by humans and by reducing our need to consume everything in sight. At the same time, nano will allow us to heal the damage we have done in the past.
Nano robots are tiny... read full post..
September 9, 2005
Instuctions
Welcome. My first 3 posts appear on this front page. Later posts are in the Archives. See the link at top right?
To post a comment, go to the Archives and select a post or click on the comments link at the end of a post. Thanks, John Burch
NOTICE: Comments with links that are off topic or appear to be commercial in nature will be deleted, no matter how positive your comments on the blog. Too many robots are becomeing complementary in order to get their message listed.
read full post..
September 2, 2005
Time Line - when is all this going to happen?
Estimates run from 15 to 50 years depending on who is talking and what they are predicting. I worked with Dr. Drexler for almost a year designing and animatating “Productive Nanosystems” to show a theoretical design for his nanofactory. The nanofactory is a desktop device that will manufacture any physical object that can be described in software for the machine. It uses a chemical feedstock and produces drinking water as a byproduct of the manufacturing process. Dr. Drexler is using the 5 minute animation to educate the public and to communicate important concepts.
You can see the animation hosted as streaming video at read full post..
September 1, 2005
Return to the Garden
Here's another way nanotechnology could help nature. We will build underground and reduce our need to occupy every square foot of the planet. Instead of skyscrapers that reach 3000 feet, why not bury them and contribute the surface to a local nature conservatory? Put transportation below ground as well. Turn the surface of the Earth into a sparsely settled, recreation area with forests, prairie, footpaths, lakes, coliseums and bike paths covering the land that now is paved with concrete and roadway.
It is certainly a long term goal. No one wants to live in a hole while their neighbor lives in a national forest. But there might be a high percentage of the population that would trade surface rights for a tax break. All factories, office buildings and warehouses should,... read full post..
August 23, 2005
Welcome and Statement of Purpose
Welcome. My name is John Burch. I have had a long-standing interest in both Nanotechnology and Nature. I grew up on a farm, became an engineer, and later became an animator. I am able to appreciate both the power and beauty of nature and the incredible creative power of science. In 2004 I worked in the nano field to create animations to explain nanotechnology. See the post "Timeline" Sept 2 2005 for links to the animation.
I think nano has great potential to support Nature. I believe this because nano will supply all material human needs without drawing significant resources from nature. The human race causes the most damage when survival issues drive us to eat the world and we have little time or energy to worry about a salamander.
I believe there are... read full post..
