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Lifeboat News #53

#53

Lifeboat News

This issue published on 01/01/07. Copyright 2007 Lifeboat Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

Internet Radio

There will be a nanotechnology dialogue with Lifeboat Foundation's Philippe Van Nedervelde on Gabriel Cousens, M.D.'s internet radio show.
 
Philippe Van Nedervelde joins Gabriel Cousens, M.D. to discuss how nanotechnology's advances can be implemented without causing great harm to humanity in the process. With the potential for nanotechnology to create self-replicating weapons that could "eat" our entire biosphere, or to create deadly nonreplicating weapons such as airborne toxin-carrying devices that are only 200 microns long, the dangers of nanotechnology are quite real.
 
Philippe wants to make sure that the dangers of nanotech are survived so we can enjoy the benefits of nanotech. For example, mature nanotech could be used to dramatically improve the health of all, all the way to indefinite longevity for those who opt for such. Responsible development implies that any potentially adverse health effects of powerful nanotech — such as toxicity etc. — need to be thoroughly and appropriately addressed.
 
He also addresses how the disruptive abundance that powerful nanotech will likely yield can be phased into our societies so that we maximize benefits democratically for all Earth citizens, while minimizing the disruptive downsides.
 
The interview will be Friday, December 29, at 12pm Pacific/ 3 Eastern. Listen live at http://modavox.com/modaview/010283/index.html CALL and TALK: 866-472-5795.

Blog

Read our new blog at http://lifeboat.com/blog

Ray Kurzweil

Ray Kurzweil's three hour's interview on C-SPAN2 is now available online at http://www.booktv.org/feature/index.asp...edID=457
 
This interview was for "Book TV", for their monthly show "In Depth". It features a two-part profile of Ray, an interview with him about his life, career, and ideas, and includes questions from Book TV viewers via telephone and email. Ray speaks about his inventions and books, including "The Singularity is Near".

A-PRIZE

We have defined the A-PRIZE taxonomic system at http://lifeboat.com/ex/a-prize#taxonomic

Research News

Read "Realization and Experimental Demonstration of the Kirchhoff-loop- Johnson(-like)-Noise Communicator for up to 200 km range" coauthored by Lifeboat Foundation's Laszlo Kish at http://arxiv.org/ftp/physics/papers/061...2153.pdf
 
In this paper, he shows that his new method of secure communication is able to handle distances far greater than quantum communicators can handle.

Banners

"Plausible Futures Newsletter: News and Analysis for Future Studies & Scenario Planning" is running a free banner ad for us at http://www.plausiblefutures.com/

Reports

Our Scientific Advisory Board members have generated many interesting reports recently. They include:
 
"Can a machine be conscious? How?" by Stevan Harnad at http://lifeboat.com/ex/can.a.machine.be.conscious
 
"I, Nanobot" by Alan H. Goldstein at http://lifeboat.com/ex/i.nanobot
 
"Singularities and Nightmares: Extremes of Optimism and Pessimism About the Human Future" by David Brin at http://lifeboat.com/ex/singularities.an...ghtmares
 
"Some Limits to Global Ecophagy by Biovorous Nanoreplicators, with Public Policy Recommendations" by Robert A. Freitas Jr. at http://lifeboat.com/ex/global.ecophagy
 
"Utopian Surgery: Early Arguments Against Anesthesia in Surgery, Dentistry, and Childbirth" by David Pearce at http://lifeboat.com/ex/utopian.surgery

End of the Year

Remember that the fiscal year is about to end so now is the time to make some tax-deductible donations!