Ultra long term technology stability
Assuming with gem-gum technology our human technology will some day reach a
level of sophistication challenging the sophisticatin that is present in life
(albeit implemented in and operating in very different ways) (see: gem-gum rainforest world):
Could it be that our technology could then become similar resilient and persevering as life?
Life prevailed on Earth for a good part of all of earths history.
From human lifespan perspective these are hard to fathom timescales.
Fragility of human technology of today:
As it stands today (2021) in case of a total collapse of civilization (god forbid) a lot of stuff would be lost quite quickly and "reclaimed by nature".
All active robotics, all of our computers and delicate data storage. Only thing left are metals for a while and ceramics almost forever.
Resilience of human technology of tomorrow?
But with really advanced gem-gum technology could it be that,
if all maintenance and development becomes fully automated,
everything just keeps running and technologically keeps on self evolving?
Even once all humans are gone (or have changed into beyond recognition)?
Contents
Key differences
- Life had no higher intelligence involved as a highly disruptive wildcard.
- Life uses a ludacris level of redundancy. A full copy of the building plan for the whole body in every single cell (well at least stem cell).
Well, Dedicated backup systems with less higher intelligence and more redundancy can be deliberately designed and
distributed like geocache (some with deliberately undocumented storage locations).
See: Save point
Backup of human technology in space:
Inner solar system multi celestial backup with key-fob sized "technology save point devices" seems easy for gem-gum technology.
On longer timescales interstellar backups might will quite likely be possible too.
(given that even today there are the first halfway serious investigative thoughts about that)
Let's not talk about intergalactic travel. It seems entirely fantasy at this point.
Backup of natures technology in space:
We have no evidence yet but life may come (as a backup seed)
from an other place than Earth. A place that by now might have been completely sterilized.
This contains the idea of "panspermy". Note that regarding lifes origin/emergence panspermy just shifts the problem.
And given that hydrothermal vents on Earth seems to be a good place for lifes emergence assuming panspermy seems unnecessary.
We have no clear evidence against it either though.
What are the existential risks of the far future?
Natural disaters
Note: Almost all of these are local events.
Backups in space neutralize them.
- large asteroid impacts
- supervolcanoes
- black swan event – (Small black hole passing through our solar system?! – this one not likely)
Destruction from within
The dangerous part about these is that they can jump over planetary and (less likely but still possible) even celestail distances.
- war(s) based on interest conflicts
- advanced gem-gum hardware computer virus(es)?
- everyones favorite: The grey goo horror fable – (unlikely)
- black swan event – (Discovery and triggering of discharge of false vacuum? – this one not likely)
