OT: Nanobots

[pmulcahy11b]

For those who don't know, nanobots are very small robots composed of individual atoms. They're small enough to put into someone's bloodstream and repair faulty systems or fight diseases directly.

But I'm watching a show on the Science channel right now, and one of the things that nanobots would be able to do is break down waste matter and use it for energy, either for the nanobot or the person.

Eventually, this could eliminate the need for a person to go to the bathroom!

I'm not sure I'd be happy, though, if I couldn't take a giant dump or let rip a nasty fart anymore...

[Targan]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

I'm not sure I'd be happy, though, if I couldn't take a giant dump or let rip a nasty fart anymore...

Darn Paul, you make yourself sound so... earthy!

It was you who mentioned 'grey ooze' recently wasn't it? That's a runaway, self replicating nanobots scenario right?

[Legbreaker]

Whenever I hear "nanobots" I think of Stargate's "replicators".

Don't think I'm all that comfortable with shoving any of them up my backside.....

[headquarters]

if ever a reality I think I side with rhar guy who wrote the sci fi books about a society with widespread nano technology ..Neal Stephenson "The Diamond age "?

Wars and weapons are in an insane race to outdo eachother when it comes to creating a nanobot weapon that the other side has no protection against -althouigh the main theme is something else entirely .

How about walking around with a gun implanted in your skull that fires through your mouth ? Or having a swarm og near invisible bots fly around and eat anything you direct them against?

The positive sides are discussed to - materials,medical applications etc ..All in all I must say it looked like a scary future to me.

[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by headquarters

How about walking around with a gun implanted in your skull that fires through your mouth ?

Yep, you could be kissing your girl and accidentally blow her head off...

[Mohoender]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

Yep, you could be kissing your girl and accidentally blow her head off...

That would solve numerous couple issues. However, what a headache each time you shoot.

[Webstral]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

I'm not sure I'd be happy, though, if I couldn't take a giant dump or let rip a nasty fart anymore...

I'm sure they could be customized. For the vulgarians among us, nanites could be programmed to yield the biggest, stinkiest, nastiest stool and farts imaginable. People could start having competitions to see who could most quickly clear a public latrine during a sporting event. The designer of the winning nanites would, of course, have bragging rights.

Webstral

[headquarters]

Originally Posted by Webstral

I'm sure they could be customized. For the vulgarians among us, nanites could be programmed to yield the biggest, stinkiest, nastiest stool and farts imaginable. People could start having competitions to see who could most quickly clear a public latrine during a sporting event. The designer of the winning nanites would, of course, have bragging rights.

Webstral

suicide bombers with methane producing nanobots in their bowels...

[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by Webstral

I'm sure they could be customized. For the vulgarians among us, nanites could be programmed to yield the biggest, stinkiest, nastiest stool and farts imaginable. People could start having competitions to see who could most quickly clear a public latrine during a sporting event. The designer of the winning nanites would, of course, have bragging rights.

Webstral

Crepitation contest, anyone?

[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by headquarters

suicide bombers with methane producing nanobots in their bowels...

Yes, just send them to Taco Bell before their attack!

[pmulcahy11b]

Imagine: the black hat (airborne instructor, for those who are still legs) standing in front of us, shouting --

"Now let me hear a loud and thunderous Airborne fart!"

BTW, I had hemorrhoids during jump week. Every opening shock was a new adventure in pain...

[pmulcahy11b]

This thread's really starting to sound grim and foul. Maybe we should add it to the "Pick Your Apocalypse" thread.

[MajorPo]

The gray goo idea and most of the original nanotech stuff is the work of the physicist K. Eric Drexler. He did some great work around all this in the early 80s. Check out his stuff on the net or even his book "Engines of Creation". It's a great read. I love the work of Neal Stephenson too. I think his books do very well at imagining the impact of nanotech on how a society would function.