by tahanson43206 » Sun Jun 05, 2016 5:06 pm
As an example of a (possible) positive feedback loop between and among Knowledge Forum authors, I would like to point to:
Begin Quotation:
Life Altering/Destroying Disasters
Postby Guy-prog » Fri Jun 03, 2016 5:00 am
End Quotation.
Here is a post which could generate numerous ten year threads, all by itself.
As a side observation ... Since reading Dr. Dartnell's book, and participating in this forum, I have become aware of the importance of Adam Smith's concept of the "Division of Labour" to any hope to deal with disaster.
If this forum were to succeed as a repository of knowledge, and as a starting point for recovery from loss of memory, let alone actual disaster, it would happen due to individuals tackling parts of the problem.
A year or so ago, I undertook an effort to build a capacitor, using household aluminum foil and household freezer paper as the dielectric. The capacitor was wound on a lathe, and inserted in a 5 inch PVC pipe. An friend who is an engineer measured the capacitance of the device at .3 microfarad. This is a trivial amount of capacity, although it is possible the capacity could withstand a reasonably high voltage before breaking down. I was disappointed by the poor showing, but the experience gave me a sense of what a person would encounter when trying to recreate "ancient" technology.
It has taken the combined efforts of millions of individuals over thousands of years to bring human culture on Earth to the complex/productive/fragile state we observe today.
An attempt to duplicate/replicate the level of "civilization" we have (in places) today on Earth, on Mars, the Moon or anywhere else, would surely require the combined and coordinated efforts of thousands of persons, if not millions.
Artificial Intelligence and a variety of robotic actuators may reduce the number of people needed eventually, as science fiction writers have been imagining for decades.
However, we are still some way from being able to call upon these resources on a wide scale.
In the mean time, this forum provides a place where thoughtful individuals can collect knowledge that would be useful.
(th)
May every member of The Knowledge forum grow financially, intellectually, socially and beyond.