Nano vs. God

The U.S. is experiencing an apocalyptic showdown even as we speak.  In one corner we have nanotechnology, which could potentially end the world through rogue replication or uncontrolled alteration.  In the other we have God, who has - and this according to his fans, remember - killed almost everything on Earth at least once and will do so again the very instant he decides he wants to, under the euphemistic name of "Rapture".  The public is the referee and, amazingly, they're on the "I drowned all but one family of you people once" guy's side.

A team of American and Singaporean scientists conducted a survey of attitudes towards nanotechnology, and found that the more religious the community, the more they opposed the science of nanotechnology.  Even accounting for factors such as general level of education, activity of the nanotechnology sector in the country, and overall attitudes towards science, the results remained the same.  The more a group believes in invisible and quite extraordinarily silent sky-people, the less they approve of mini-machines.

A key point is that this survey did not account for, or even mention, the "grey-goo" scenario of rogue nanomachines destroying the world - it was a simple survey of "nanotech, morally acceptable or not" over a general audience. Many of whom had never even heard of such a situation, which if nothing else proves their lack of knowledge or authority to comment on nanotech in the first place.

It's important to note that this isn't meant to cast religion in a negative light, just to highlight the fact that misapplying it can be harmful.  Religion can provide a strong moral code (apart from the psychos and the gibberish, most religions boil down to "Try to be nicer to each other"), support for those in need, and an explanation of an often bewildering world to adherents.  The difficulties only set in when it's extended beyond its remit.  Making societal technology choices based on religion is like altering the economy based on a knowledge of macramé: it might be something you care about in your daily life, but that doesn't make it valid for everyone else.

Of course, the religious resistance to the technology of the future of technology could be simple jealousy.  After all, even early nanotech applications have been shown to heal the sick and have potential to feed the many - and apparently there's a guy who's already meant to do that. Even if he's two thousand years late for his return appointment.

Notions nix nanotech

Comments

[Dave]

Jealousy is the correct word. And you can take 'nano' out of the word. When it comes down to the choices above, it's tech or science that the superstitious despise, because for each new discovery that science provides, their mysterious little world (and sphere of control) gets smaller and smaller.

Regards
Dave

[Nephish777]

I suggest you look at Josh McDowell's Evidence That Demands A Verdict and the books by Lee Strobel before you bash the followers of Yahweh (AKA Jehovah).
I am a Born from Above Christian, and I still accept technology. I DO NOT accept evolution as the chance of it happening is so remote as to be nonexistant. (For just one item, how can indormation come out of nothing?) I don't have it all figured out but I am sure one day the Lord God Jesus the Messiah will reveil much of how things work and came into existance.

[Eric]

You say "It's important to note that this isn't meant to cast religion in a negative light," but you also say: "invisible and quite extraordinarily silent sky-people." So how are you not trying to cast religion in a negative light?

Also, you say "God, who has... killed almost everything on Earth at least once and will do so again the very instant he decides he wants to." If you had even cursory knowledge of the religion you're attacking, you'd know that the flood story includes God's promise never to destroy the world again. Try to get your stories straight and also try not to alienate the segment of your readers who might be religious themselves, and at the very least aren't all "spaghetti monster Dawkins skybeard lol!"

[Mark]

I know why you had to provide the 'we're not disparaging religion', but it's irrelevant.

Anyone who believes in silent sky gods, invisible good/evil beings, and thinks that without religion that civilization or our species would cease to exist, is mentally unbalanced.

Zealotry is what causes religions to spread. Mentally ill people who think a ghostly spirit is talking to them are the reasons why religions START in the first place.

And don't forget one extremely important fact: everyone on the planet is born an atheist. Everyone last being on the planet is born a total and complete non-theist. They have to be brainwashed into believing otherwise.

[Gary]

Now I wouldn't necessarily say brainwashed. I mean think about it, a child's mind is very influenced by anything it encounters. So if you want to be technical, anything you learn in your life is brainwash, seeing how it didn't come from your mind alone, but from the environment your in. Another fact that has to be taken into account is information, what information is distributed and how it is being presented. Most everyone knows the expression "two sides to every coin", if a neutral observation is not used, there is instant prejudice. I am a believer in science, but I also accept that we cannot possibly think to understand everything, simply because there are things that the human mind cannot fathom. Once something is observed, it is instantly altered, whether it be for or against the opinion of the observer. The expressions "I think therefore I am", "in the eye of the beholder" and "a mind changed against its will,is of the same opinion still" come to mind. Life, the universe, and everything we know is just...incomprehensible to a certain extent.

[Julian]

Eric- It was obviously for comedic affect. If someone can't take a joke they probably shouldn't be allowed to be on the internet.

Nephis777- Evolution is as basic to science/reality as the Earth revolving around the Sun. Another thing they have in common is a book of myths, parables and legends says they're both wrong.

[vanderleun]

Please print out your post and carry it with you always. It will give you something to read after the nanonosehairtrimmingbots get to the bottom of the hair and start boring into your brain. Just before they carve out the cerebellum your last words will be, "Oh God! O God!"

[Kevin]

Hilarious article-- I loved it! I think the religious zealotry in the United States shows how our education system has failed. I think it has been proven many times over that religion occurs in the desperate uneducated people, generally of lower class, because they need something to hope for. Unfortunately it is holding us back now and needs to be eliminated from the main stream ASAP.

[John]

Kevin,

Thanks for supporting the Constitution of the US. Our education is failing for other reasons, but blame God if if makes you feel better.

It's pure arrogance to suggest we know everything and that includes the knowledge that there is no god.

[Peter]

I would say that the author of this article is just as ignorant of Christianity (or religion) as he claims the religious communities are of nanotechnology.

Before bashing their ignorance, ask yourself how many people in the world(including athiests) really do have a good understanding of nanotechnology, or have heard of the "grey-goo scenario".

I have not heard of it before and I am educated, successful, not highly religious and even subscribe to the Daily Galaxy.

The truth is that people fear things they do not understand, whether they are religious or not.

[Kevin]

John, I think you're confused about some things. I did not blame God for our education failing, I said our educational system must be failing due to the massive number of religious zealots. Never once did I even lend any insight as to whether or not I believe in a higher being.

Your second line, claiming arrogance, is incredible. Do you not realize the irony in that statement? All three of the big religions claim to know everything, and that is the problem.

I'll key you in on something though: religion has nothing to do with God. Their books, what they base everything on, are creations of humans and that is it. If people want to believe in a higher being they should embrace spirituality rather than religion. At least then they couldn't mask their blood lust and hatred under the banner of their religion.

[Dext]

Meh... These Daily Galaxy writers are good for all but one type of article. Whenever a problem comes even close to concerning religion, they lash out with bad jokes like extremist atheists. I would suggest to them to contain such outbursts, and try to prove to us, the readers, that they are as intelligent as they try to make themselves look. Cracking bad jokes about God doesn't make them cooler or more popular with us. They should stick to the science, and make reduce the number of affronts they make, because it is not God that they are insulting, it is us, the (religious) readers, and insulting us defeats the point of writing a blog for us to read.

[qaton]

Some said everyone is born an atheist.

A silly argument. Everyone is born without a knowledge of logic. Everyone born does not know that 1+1=2. So what? We are all born without certain types of knowledge.

God does say differently though in Romans 1, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools."

Such is the unbeliever. Holding the truth, loving their sinfulness. They are without excuse and destined for a very rude awakening as they step beyond the threshold of this life.

[qaton]

Some said everyone is born an atheist.

A silly argument. Everyone is born without a knowledge of logic. Everyone born does not know that 1+1=2. So what? We are all born without certain types of knowledge.

God does say differently though in Romans 1, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools."

Such is the unbeliever. Holding the truth, loving their sinfulness. They are without excuse and destined for a very rude awakening as they step beyond the threshold of this life.

[Kevin]

God never said that. To my knowledge, he/she/it has never spoken a word. If you are referring to the Bible, that is a work of fiction written by humans like you and me. That goes to the root of the problem, religious people continue to quote their Bible as if it is fact. Non-religious people are not so gullible to believe in it, that would be like picking up a copy of Lord of the Rings and thinking it were real. Therefore, you can't make a valid argument. All I can say is there is a tremendous lack of evidence proving you are right, and a tremendous amount of evidence proving that at least some of the Bible is wrong (some things are just too absurd to disprove!). Not to mention the extreme amount of hypocrisy that goes on in it, if it were up to the Bible we'd still have slaves and we'd be killing people left and right for small offenses. Funny how religious people pick and choose what to believe, very convenient.

[Dave]

Qaton
Atheism is the lack of belief in a theism, and of course you are born without any such belief, therefore one is born an atheist. Whatever fantasy you choose to indulge in or escape to is learned. After 49 years on this planet, I still have not seen sufficient evidence for your particular god, let alone the hundreds of others.

Dext
Get a grip. Apparently these are the only types of articles you choose to read. I am a daily reader and have been since darn near the inception of Daily Galaxy. Always thoughtful and full of interesting articles, rarely do the authors make fun of anything with the intent to denigrate. Good man Luke happens to push more buttons than the rest of them, but he is a hilarious and welcome addition, with a broad knowledge and witty repartee.

Thanks again for a wonderful site.

Regards
Dave

[René Sigma]

When the men don't understand something, they create a god.. also when they are in serious trouble, like child crying to his mother

Sun's Gods, Thunder's God, etc.

If you look the history, you will see that Yahve was imposed with a blade, and others like Odin or Zeus just disappeared.

Well, fortunately, we don't have a warp drive, and we are stuck here, in the earth. Just imagine what will happen when zealots reach other places, just like when they came here (america) and killed and slaved everyone who don't believe in jesus/god/yahve. Another life forms, culture, enviroment, appearance, they can't handle that.

Do you wanna check something ?, this article has a lot of replies, but this "http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2008/12/will-our-brains.html", not even one. Why ? think a little, zealots are sensitive...

I can tell you, that I'm buddhist, I'm very happy that science grows up and show what buddhism is the study of life, and is totally thruth. Meanwhile, others close their eyes to not see what is in front of them...

What will they do when new life forms appears or be found ? Close their eyes too ? or just seek a cheap excuse ?

Some people are stuck in the middle age. But remember, people without education and believers, are easy to manage... that's why most of goverments doesn't do investments in education... ask to Bush about it.

[EvilCosmicMonkey from Knoxville]

I've seen this movie before......
Science & high - tech against " ignorant, dumb religious folk ".

This kind of thing has been hashed & re - hashed & driven into the ground like a tent - stake !!

I'm a Christian, for the most part, but not some wild - eyed Luddite who thinks that technology & science is subversive, evil & a Satanic tool. I even find nothing wrong with the hot - button issue of stem - cell research. ( Or the idea that the Earth & observable universe was created over millenia or eons instead of 6 days )

I do have trouble with seeing science / scientific advancement as a faith or a substitute for ( a ) God, but that's a discussion for another time.

This is somewhat " old news " / " Old controversy "

[EvilCosmicMonkey from Knoxville]

Oh, BTW -

It must have been a slow news day for the people at the " Daily Galaxy ".

Just sayin'.....

[Dave]

Of course you, like Dext there, didn't bother to read anything else monkey? There is a lot of great stuff here if you open your eyes... But you are religious are you?

You do realize that there are people who still believe the world is only 6000 years old? That, in the name of religion, people who draw cartoons in parody are fair game for murder? That the most intolerant of people are the hypocrites who rail against those who seek the truth through science? The world has a virus and it's called religion. The controversy will end when religious persecution and intolerance ends.

Regards
Dave

[America_is_an_illusion]

Dave, It is more perfect that God exists than God not existing.

Get over yourself. Technology/science is the destruction of this world (Everyone who thinks religion is in the dark ages). Unless it will save us from a giant asteroid someday like in Armageddon. The galaxy will collide/sun will explode yada yada and everything will seize to exist anyway :) did science really prove that? or was it philosophy? Will it prove why we exist? or why the universe exists?

We are on the planet right now to survive? Why? What is the point if there isn't some lesson to learn?

You will be crying for a God on your death bed someday and by then it will be to late! By believing in God you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. In the end science truly gets you no where because you/we are a mere mortals. I didn't need a religion to brainwash me into thinking this way. It's common sense.

Look at an Atom for example. Scientists keep finding smaller and smaller pieces. There is no end! You can keep finding more pieces to the puzzle but they will never solve anything. Blamo "Infinity" If there are infinity pieces to a puzzle you can't imagine that God could be one of those?

Go on believe in your "science" of what? If I'm wrong I'm wrong but I will believe in my heart that is (what I know is right).

Tear me apart, I'm not going to look at the comments again so waste your time! But you won't change my mind. You're world is shrinking in on you and mine is getting bigger. Haha if you can't think outside the box (universe) I feel sorry for you.

Have a good day!

[Alan_Watts]

Check out Alan Watts and his fantasy of how planets form.

In the end way may never truly know if God exists or doesn't but in my mind if we are here to survive and die what would be the point? Other than to be created by god or to live infinity lives. We have existed once (obviously). Why can't we exist again in 5000000000000 trizillion years from now and not know it? We will never be able to prove it or disprove it in this life but isn't that the whole point of "faith"? To believe outside of ourselves and our whole existence? Is that what we are really about? If we are here to all go up in one giant ball of flame wouldn't that be sad?

[Dave]

"America" yes, that is irony. Why do you need there to be a reason? Does life and existence scare you that much? Life is what it is, and it doesn't need your superstition to justify it being here. It's you who needs it. I won't cry for your god. Nor will I bother to 'tear' you apart, other than to state the obvious: there is no evidence for anything BUT us mere mortals, yet we are the essence of what you claim your god to be. And it's your beliefs that are slowly and inevitably being challenged and then put to rest as fantasy and myth. Much to your chagrin. I'm glad for you that you believe in your heart what you have faith in, but you wouldn't have posted in response to me if what I said wasn't a true challenge to what you think. My friend, I am only the messenger. You believe what you want to believe. 'Truth' is what science is about. Discovering it and disseminating it in a testable fashion open to all, to the benefit of all. Truth is not to be held hostage by faith.

Regards
Dave

[Dave]

Oh, and by the way America (still how amusingly appropriate), I don't care much if you respond. My post was in response to your words and thoughts, not to you. People like you will not change what they believe by reasoning with them, by showing them the evidence of their silliness. But perhaps I can sway someone who is agnostic, sitting on the fence as it were. Perhaps they can look at what you feel is truth with the same sort of exasperation as I do, and realize that they are not alone in their incredulity; that there are people who still believe in tooth faeries, gods, and santa clause. And it's ok to question their sanity.

Regards
Dave

[TigerCat]

Ok, I can end this rambling about religion pretty fast. Everyone who thinks that they are smart enough to create a galaxy or several universes go right ahead! Go outside a create your own big bang and see what happens! You will only cause destruction, not create life because your just not smart enough to do it. No matter how hard you try it will not happen. There was a big bang. It was GOD snapping his fingers to create life. He's just that much smarter than the rest of us. Nanotechnology is a joke to him. Probably as simple as chewing gum.