Early MM Pros and Cons

From Wise Nano

[Please add your thoughts, on this page or on the "discussion" page. CRN will use your input to help shape its strategy.]

The world is not ready for diamondoid molecular manufacturing (DMM). We probably will not be ready by the time it's developed. Does that mean we should attempt to postpone it?

If we can postpone it, it may come harder when it does arrive, because the general progress of technology will have made it easier to develop rapidly. We can't postpone it forever; it's rapidly getting easier, and within a decade it may be within the reach of corporations and less-advanced nations. Also, if we postpone it, we will lose its benefits--which could include saving millions of lives per year.

If it happens early, we have less time to prepare. But we're not doing much to prepare now.

One option is to push for a different development track. Biopolymer molecular manufacturing (BMM) will have much lower performance, because it uses weaker materials, builds bulkier features, and works only underwater (in solution). BMM may be less disruptive, but will serve to clue in the world that MM works--and will rapidly get more powerful.

So, there are several options:

• Claim that all MM is impossible and try to delay the problem. (That's the current strategy of nanoscale technologists who fear for their funding.)
• Push for BMM more than DMM. (That delays some benefits but may enhance preparedness for DMM.)
• Push for both BMM and DMM ASAP. (A gamble.)