I'm not sure the conclusions follow from the premises in this piece: 3D printing + miniaturization + Moore's law (eventually ubiquitous computing does not necessarily yield 'the Matrix.' Combining trends in technology this way is a bit sloppy reasoning, IMO.
What the author is hinting at (eg when he talks about machines the size of blood vessels), but does not say explicitly, is indeed that an era of molecular manufacturing, computing and construction looms. The field of nanotechnology will pioneer these breakthroughs over the next few decades. For further reading I would recommend Drexler's seminal "Engines of Creation" (non-fictive) alongside Stephenson's "Diamond Age" (fictive/scifi).
Comments
I'm not sure the conclusions follow from the premises in this piece: 3D printing + miniaturization + Moore's law (eventually ubiquitous computing does not necessarily yield 'the Matrix.' Combining trends in technology this way is a bit sloppy reasoning, IMO.
What the author is hinting at (eg when he talks about machines the size of blood vessels), but does not say explicitly, is indeed that an era of molecular manufacturing, computing and construction looms. The field of nanotechnology will pioneer these breakthroughs over the next few decades. For further reading I would recommend Drexler's seminal "Engines of Creation" (non-fictive) alongside Stephenson's "Diamond Age" (fictive/scifi).