Gray Goo Or Grey Goo |
Grey
goo is a hypothetical end-of-the-world scenario involving molecular nanotechnology in which out-of-control
self-replicating robots consume all matter on Earth while building more of
themselves-a scenario known as ecophagy
("eating the environment").
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Gray
goo refers to out-of-control self-replicating nanorobots
threatening and consuming life on Earth while building more of themselves (a
scenario known as ecophagy).
In a worst-case scenario, all of the matter in the Galaxy could be turned
into goo (with "goo" meaning a large mass of replicating nanomachines lacking large-scale structure,
which may or may not actually appear goo-like), killing the Galaxy's
residents. The disaster could result from an accidental mutation in a self-replicating nanomachine used for other purposes, or possibly
from a deliberate doomsday device.
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Gray
goo (or, in British spelling, "grey goo") is a term used to
describe what life on our planet might become if self-replicating robot s or nanomachine s got out of control and began to
use up life forms for their own energy
needs in some unstoppable way. The term was first used in K. Eric Drexler in
his seminal book about nanotechnology , Engines of Creation . Michael
Crichton's Prey is one of several science
fiction novels about gray goo catastrophes. The possibility of all of us
becoming a lifeless conglomeration of gray goo, whether by accident or by
robotic intent, is considered exceedingly unlikely. However, it has been
taken seriously enough by one researcher, Robert Freitas, to suggest some
public policy recommendations.
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Self-replicating
(von Neumann) nanomachines
spreading uncontrolably, building copies of themselves using all available
material. This is a commonly mentioned nanotechnology disaster scenario, although it
is rather unlikely due to energy
constraints and elemental abundances. More probable disaster scenarios are
the green
goo, golden
goo and red goo,
khaki
goo scenarios. As a protection blue
goo has been proposed.
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A
hypothetical substance composed of sagans of sub-micron-sized
self-replicating robots programmed to make copies of themselves out of
whatever is available. The image that goes with the term is one of the entire
biosphere
of Earth being eventually converted to robot goo. This is the simplest of the
nanotechnology disaster scenarios, easily
refuted by arguments from energy
requirements and elemental abundances. Compare blue
goo.
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Speculation
about the potential dangers of artificial self replicating machines (which
have been labeled as "molecular
assemblers")
has led some to envision apocalyptic scenarios. One scenario suggested danger
to life could arise in the form of grey goo which consumes carbon to make more of itself. If unchecked such mechanical replication could potentially consume whole
ecoregions or the whole Earth (ecophagy),
or it could simply outcompete other natural lifeforms for necessary resources
such as carbon,
ATP, or UV light (which some nanomotor
examples run on). It is worth noting that the ecophagy
and 'grey goo' scenarios, like synthetic
molecular
assemblers,
are based upon still-theoretical technologies that have not yet been
demonstrated experimentally.
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The
name given to free-range self-replicating miniature machines that could, in
theory, run out of control and cause severe damage to the biosphere. The actual threat is generally
overrated, as we explain here.
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Out-of-control
replicating nanotechnology; some calculations indicate
that the entire ecosphere could be consumed within weeks or days. One of the
primary risks threatening the complete destruction of humanity. [K. Eric
Drexler, Engines of Creation, 1986] Perhaps an
even more dangerous variant is "red goo",
or military nanotechnology.
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See
Star Trek scenario.
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Destructive
nanobots [AKA: "gray dust"]. Opposite of Blue
Goo. See Star Trek scenario. Vast legions of
destructive nanites.
Typically, created by accident. Left unchecked, they will basically convert
everthing they contact into more of themselves, or consume and digest it for energy. Either way, its pretty much bad news. The
debate rages on. Check out the first technical analysis of gray goo ever
published, in April 2000, by Robert A. Freitas Jr. Also - Self-replicating
(von Neumann) nanomachines
spreading uncontrolably, building copies of themselves using all available
material. This is a commonly mentioned nanotechnology disaster scenario, although it
is rather unlikely due to energy
constraints and elemental abundances. More probable disaster scenarios are
the green
goo, golden
goo, red goo,
khaki
goo scenarios. As a protection blue
goo has been proposed. [AS]
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Nanotech-disaster scenario in which myriads of self
replicating nano-assemblers
make uncountable copies of themselves and consume the earth
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Destructive
nanobots See Star Trek scenario. Vast legions of
destructive nanites.
Supposedly created by accident, they are nano-scale
or "atomic-precision" robots capable of precise, molecular control over chemical reactions,
programmed to make unlimited copies of themselves, and capable of surviving
and gathering supplies in a wide range of environmental conditions. Left
unchecked, they would basically convert everything they touch into more of
themselves, or consume and digest it for energy
[ecophagy].
Either way, a gray goo would be bad news
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Destructive
nanobots [AKA: "gray dust"]. Opposite of Blue
Goo. See Star Trek scenario. Vast legions of
destructive nanites.
Typically, created by accident. Left unchecked, they will basically convert
everthing they contact into more of themselves, or consume and digest it for energy. Either way, its pretty much bad news. The
debate rages on. Check out the first technical analysis of gray goo ever
published, in April 2000, by Robert A. Freitas Jr. Also - Self-replicating (von
Neumann) nanomachines
spreading uncontrolably, building copies of themselves using all available
material. This is a commonly mentioned nanotechnology disaster scenario, although it
is rather unlikely due to energy
constraints and elemental abundances. More probable disaster scenarios are
the green
goo, golden
goo, red goo,
khaki
goo scenarios. As a protection blue
goo has been proposed. [AS]
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A
scary concept dreamed up by Erik K Drexler whereby tiny assemblers, or molecular
machines, that are capable of making copies of themselves, are let loose and
proceed to replicate uncontrollably, consuming everything in their path and
turning it into a grey goo.
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Self-replicating
nanomachines
spreading uncontrollably, building copies of themselves using all available
material.
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