Reading Vernor Vinge’s A fire upon the deep has raised my interest in hard science fiction a lot. Vinge raises so many questions in his book that one wonders how the world well prepare for what is to come. Vinge, the mind behind the Vinge singularity (describing a process of self improvement that is exponential, going off-scale rather quickly) also talks about nanotechnology. That is when I came across the Foresight Institute, a charity after my liking. Instead of fiddling around with the present human condition (which is worthwhile, but maybe not the best use of resources), its goal is

to guide emerging technologies to improve the human condition. Foresight focuses its efforts upon nano technology, the coming ability to build materials and products with atomic precision, and upon systems that will enhance knowledge exchange and critical discussion, thus improving public and private policy decisions.

There is so much to write about and so little time. Next time I shall mention the concept of future shock, extropians and so on.

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