“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” — Arthur C. Clarke (1917-) — Profiles of the Future (1962; rev. 1973) — “Hazards of Prophecy: The Failure of Imagination” — Clarke’s Third Law

I would be very, very surprised if there are not several military, intelligence, and governmental agencies who are paying very close attention to the latest developments in nano-technology. A number of questions, in my mind at least, were answered regarding its imminence as a well established game-changer over the next 20 years, when I read that a power supply issue was solved, among others. This relatively new field raises so many possibilities for entirely new processes, smaller, more powerful computers the size of a period at the end of a sentence, and bio-technical miracles, such as nanobots the size of bacterial cells, that find and destroy cancer cells faster than they can grow, by altering their very DNA, or whatever is the method of choice at the time.

The military implications are disturbingly endless; even I, with little technical expertise in the subject, beyond the moderate amount I’ve studied informally, can easily think of three or four practically unstoppable weapons of mass destruction utilizing this technology. Think about what a mad scientist could do, and almost certainly is doing with this sort of limitless technical promise! The possibility exists that nanobots, complete with programmed abilities to learn, and able to reproduce themselves, without limits other than their basic programmed purpose, small enough to be deployed in an aerosol spray, are being earnestly sought after by generals, admirals, and spooks, because of their possible application to the art of war.

For example, a nanobot could be inserted into a polluted river, and clean the toxins and filth from the system within whatever parameters would most enhance the return of the river’s natural ecosystem. Conversely, the bots could be programmed to poison an entire watershed, rendering it undrinkable, or actually toxic. And that is only one of the more basic forms the technology could assume; another would be to combine nano-technology and stem cell research results to create armies of superhuman warriors.  It’s far too powerful a tool for the military to resist. Probably why they are most likely the biggest clandestine financiers of this radically new technology; I’d bet the house on it……or at least ‘a’ house. Doesn’t have to be mine, just cover my play, and I’ll pay you back when I win….

“It isn’t paranoia, if they are actually out to get you.” — Anonymous, that great Greek philosopher.
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Warm eyes, wet lips
Gently touch my finger tips

Soft sighs, silky hair
Longing for me to touch her there

Her begging eyes
Her whimpering cries

Urgent needs of one so sweet
Bring me quickly to my feet

The night is warm, there is no doubt
It’s my turn to take the dog out.

There was no attribution listed for this little piece, which is a shame, because I’d be willing to read more from the author. What a great little turn-around at the last line!…. I’m a sucker for unabashed whimsy….. actually, I just realized that it sounds very like something Ogden Nash might have penned during one of his numerous demonstrations of his unquenchable sense of humor. That, or a moderately talented copy-cat of his style…. regardless, it’s a welcome addition to today’s lineup of esoterica…..
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“I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races – that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes (sic), nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality.”  — Abraham Lincoln, Fourth Lincoln-Douglas Debate, September 18, 1858

This is very interesting, and not in a good way; if authentic, it seems that Abe was not above the typical habit of many political strategists, of lying to the public, or at minimum stretching the truth in order to secure votes. Either history has painted a very inaccurate picture of his character, or he underwent a complete reversal of his opinions in two years; the Civil War began in 1860. Reading this gave me a chill; it is completely contrary to everything that school children are taught about him. It makes me wonder, and wonder very strongly, about what else historians have edited out of the books used to teach the subject. How much of what we know is really true?

We really haven’t much recourse to correct the issue; any overt evidence of the crime was destroyed long ago, and the folks responsible are long dead. I’ll tell you what, though…. it certainly makes me less trusting of what I will read from now on; my trust in the integrity of historians as a group is pretty well compromised by this knowledge. I don’t like the idea of lying to suit an agenda, no matter how well-intentioned the lie…. and I certainly don’t want my kids to base their own world-view based on lies, as is now seen to be the case. Downright pissed I now am; reduced to Yoda speech-mode I now am ….. great….. damn those bloody fools anyway!
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If Ms. Fraiberg is correct, and she presents a strong argument, then we humans are some of the Universe’s most perverse creatures. Her argument, presented in a logical, structured, and thorough fashion is evidence of the very characteristics she describes, providing solid evidence of the truth of her proposition. It is an enjoyable feeling to encounter such a clear expression of what it means to be human, and offers a sense of pride for possessing such a marvelously unique quality, even if it is completely undeserved.

Why, after all, should we be proud? It’s not as if we had a choice in our birth as a human; no act of our own brought us to this plenum. But, that sense of entitlement seems to come naturally to some folks, probably because their own actions and existence haven’t produced anything that would justify their pride. I guess being able to imagine pride, and to count without resorting to toes as well as fingers doesn’t necessarily mean answers to deep questions will be either sought after or found. Or perhaps it would be better to say, some folks just see deeper into the universe, and into themselves, than others…..

“I personally think we developed language because of a deep inner need to complain.” — Jane Wagner
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The spirit of man communes with Heaven; the omnipotence of Heaven resides in man. Is the distance between Heaven and man very great?”  — Hung Tzu-ch’eng (1593-1665)

This is one of those questions to which Ms. Fraiberg refers above, and a good example of the genre. When I stop listening to all the distracting side comments made by that part of me that is not engaged in the actual process of writing, and think about only this concept, I find myself falling deeper and deeper into shades and depths of meaning that are revealed, as one thought follows another down the path toward illumination. I can’t tell you the answer I get; it wouldn’t mean anything to you. But, follow the chain of reasoning yourself, and become acquainted with a part of your own self you may never have met…..
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I can’t believe I wrote that whole thing. But, I feel better for having purged it from my head; I can use all the random access memory I can get. Time for me to turn my wits to the coming day here in Paradise…. Y’all take care out there….