Zubon,
Your model assumes that these 'nano-assemblers' will be able to reproduce themselves using any nearby molecules and not some specific kind of molecule/substance. It would seem obviously unwise to invent something that could eat away any matter you put near it for the sake of self-reproduction. Why would we ever design such a thing? Even Kurt Vonnegut's hypothetical Ice-Nine could only crystalize water and only at certain temperatures- creating something that essentially crystalizes EVERYTHING does not seem trivial, easy, or advisable to anyone. ... (read more)
Zubon, Your model assumes that these 'nano-assemblers' will be able to reproduce themselves using any nearby molecules and not some specific kind of molecule/substance. It would seem obviously unwise to invent something that could eat away any matter you put near it for the sake of self-reproduction. Why would we ever design such a thing? Even Kurt Vonnegut's hypothetical Ice-Nine could only crystalize water and only at certain temperatures- creating something that essentially crystalizes EVERYTHING does not seem trivial, easy, or advisable to anyone. ... (read more)