Personal nanofactories promise an end to poverty, war

By Dick Pelletier

     Imagine a world with billions of desktop-size, nonpolluting, cheap machines that can manufacture almost anything – clothing, furniture, electronics, cars, even food. Today, such devices do not exist, but in the future, a small Star Trek-like replicator called a "personal nanofactory” (PN) will sit on your kitchen counter enabling you to create nearly anything your heart desires at little or no cost.
     These incredible machines receive raw atoms from supplied chemicals or from something as inexpensive as dirt, air or seawater. Then, using Internet-delivered software, they instruct atoms to assemble into the final product; a sweater, refrigerator, health medicine, tonight’s dinner; even a duplicate PN.
     In their latest book, Revolutionary Wealth, Alvin and Heidi Toffler argue convincingly that we are on the verge of a post-scarcity world that will slash poverty and "unlock countless opportunities and new life trajectories”.
     Futurist consultant Steve Burgess agrees. In his on-line essay, The (Needed) New Economics of Abundance, Burgess predicts that nanotechnology, especially PNs, could launch an unprecedented era of abundance for all people.
     The World Bank estimates that some 1.1 billion humans survive on the equivalent of $1 per day; 11% of the global population is well off, 11%, middle income, and 78%, poor. Experts believe advanced nanotech could bring clean water, reliable energy, and quality housing to every third-world country, and PNs could provide all the world’s poor with an affluent healthy lifestyle similar to that enjoyed in developed countries.
     In a recent article posted on KurzweilAI.net, UCLA researcher Robert Freitas Jr. suggests that nanotech will bring about major disruptions in the economy. Automated systems and "robotic slaves cheaply manufactured by PNs will allow humans to become pure consumers with no need to produce products or provide services”. This could reduce the value of human labor to zero.
     However, in this future nano-world, many forward-thinkers believe there will be little need for money. Technologies will eventually eliminate all living costs. Public projects like roads and other government activities could also slash most expenses with automation.
     In addition, rapid, flexible manufacturing will allow swift development of new inventions, spurring innovation, creating further benefits. As people begin to "replicate” items, some will create designs that produce a better product, which others will copy, making new products available at faster rates than in today’s commerce-driven market.
     Positive futurists believe that nanotech could also eliminate some of the reasons nations go to war. Many conflicts arise from a fear of losing access to resources such as oil. Nano-solar systems will provide low-cost methods of harnessing solar energy creating a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Countries enjoying the benefits of advanced nanotech will be less likely to turn hostile.
     General-purpose molecular manufacturing with PNs appears to be inevitable. It could become reality as early as 2020, and certainly should happen by 2025. When it arrives, it will come quickly. To prepare for the coming development of molecular manufacturing technology, futurists say we must start planning for it today.
     Clearly, the road to personal nanofactories winds around unknown turns. However, strong commerce and government support will insure its arrival. This "magical future” promises reduced conflicts between nations, optimum health and undreamed of personal wealth for everyone on Earth.

This article appeared in various print media and blogs; comments always welcome. See other published work by Dick at http://www.positivefuturist.com/archive.html