Will the "chemputer" destroy society?

[Politruk]

The chemputer is a machine that can -- potentially -- synthesize any chemical substance. You only need the right feedstock chemicals, and the right software.

What happens when they become widely and cheaply available?

Conceivably, chemputers could destroy Big Pharma -- anything they have to sell, you could make at home.

Of course, a machine that can make prescription medications can also make recreational psychoactive drugs. In unlimited quantitites.

And a machine that can make drugs . . . can also make explosives.

 

[Politruk]

And if you have a chemputer and a 3D printer . . .

 

[BrightShinyGirl]

I’m more worried about teleporters destroying civilization.

 

[Politruk]

I’m more worried about teleporters destroying civilization.

But chemputers exist now, though still in their infancy. We don't have even a hypothetical line on teleportation.

 

[RobDownSouth]

I’m more worried about teleporters destroying civilization.

you have to balance that against the ability to order 'Tea, Earl Grey, Hot' on command.

 

[Politruk]

you have to balance that against the ability to order 'Tea, Earl Grey, Hot' on command.

If Star Trek matter-replication technology ever exists, it will come at the end of a long line of development that began with chemputers and 3D printers, like automobiles descend from chariots.

 

[RobDownSouth]

If Star Trek matter-replication technology ever exists, it will come at the end of a long line of development that began with chemputers and 3D printers, like automobiles descend from chariots.

Gaaaah, REPLICATORS. I sat here for five minutes trying to remember what those things were called!

 

[Politruk]

Gaaaah, REPLICATORS. I sat here for five minutes trying to remember what those things were called!

They never address, in any episode I saw, what happens if somebody goes crazy and orders "critical mass of plutonium." Presumably the computers that control the replicators are programmed not to produce certain things.

 

[Politruk]

This is not just speculation -- I have already seen advertisements for guns made by 3D printers, supposedly undetectable by metal detectors.