Strong Nanotechnology: Jumping Off Point to Singularity?

The "Singularity" can be viewed as a dramatic acceleration of scientific and technological progress, made possible by advanced technological tools of computation and manufacture. In other words, real molecular manufacturing and computation. Strong nanotechnology. Here are some provocative new essays on molecular assembly, the opportunities and dangers, by several knowledgeable nano-theorists. Hat tip The Speculist.

• Introduction to the second issue
  
  
• Bostrom, Nick - "Nanoethics
  
• Buerger, Michael - Enlightenment to N-lightenment
  
• Freitas, Robert A. Jr. - "What Price Freedom?" (summary)
  
• Burgess, Steve - "The (Needed) New Economics of Abundance"
  
• Freitas, Robert A. Jr. - "Economic Impact of the Personal Nanofactory" (summary)
  
• Vassar, Michael - "Corporate Cornucopia: Examining the Special Implications of Commercial MNT Development"
  
• Maclurcan, Don - "Molecular Manufacturing and the Developing World: Looking to Nanotechnology for Answers"
  
• Wang, Brian "Considering Military and Ethical Implications of Nanofactory-level Nanotechnology"
  
• Osborne, Deborah - "Molecular Manufacturing and the Need for Crime Science"
  
• Craver, Tom - "Safer Molecular Manufacturing Through Nanoblocks"
  
• Mulhall, Douglas - "Are We Guardians, Or Are We Apes Designing Humans?"
  

Here are links to a set of earlier essays on similar and complementary topics:

• Introduction to the first issue
  
• Kurzweil, Ray - "Nanotechnology Dangers and Defenses"
  
• Freitas, Robert A. Jr. - "Molecular Manufacturing: Too Dangerous to Allow?" (summary)
  
• Treder, Mike - "Nano-Guns, Nano-Germs, and Nano-Steel"
  
• Cowper, Tom - "Molecular Manufacturing and 21st Century Policing"
  
• Phoenix, Chris - "The Need For Limits"
  
• Prisco, Giulio - "Globalization and Open Source Nano Economy"
  
• Broderick, Damien - "Cultural Dominants and Differential MNT Uptake"
  
• Lin, Patrick & Allhoff, Fritz - "Nanoethics and Human Enhancement"
  
• Vita-More, Natasha - "Strategic Sustainable Brain"
  
• Hall, J. Storrs - "Is AI Near a Takeoff Point?"
  
• Brin, David - "Singularities and Nightmares: The Range of Our Futures"
  

Source for more essays: Wise Nano.

Danger and opportunity, in one small package. There is no such thing as life without risk, if we are lucky there never will be. One does tend to wonder what the singularity version of the afterlife would be, however. Another time, perhaps.
:-)