Warning Signs

Existential threat

Diamondoid surfaces

Cognitive Hazard

A catch-all sign for things you really don’t want to mess with – existential threat implies threats...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

8 comments

Diamondoids are likely to be very useful, but can be pretty risky in some forms. Bulk diamond shards...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

1 comment

Exactly what kinds of hazards could occur with mature cognotechnologies is hard to imagine. This...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

8 comments

Chaotic system

Borg warning

Autonomous device

Chaos control is likely to be very useful in many future applications. But chaos is sensitive, so...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

10 comments

While well-behaved group minds no doubt are selective of who joins (it is after all rather intimate)...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

9 comments

This device may start acting at any time because it “wants” to. While it might have...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

3 comments

Antimatter

Active nanodevices

Ubiquitious surveillance

My symbol is intended to both remind of a Penning trap (for early applications where we just have a...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

2 comments

Warning sign for active nanodevices. As nanosystems become more common we might need to make their...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

2 comments

Using microdevices, identity technology and pattern recognition software it is not inconceivable...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

8 comments

Stable strangelets

Nonstandard spacetime

Self-replicating device

If strangelets are stable at zero pressure and have a positive charge, they can absorb ordinary...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

0 comments

A warning sign for black holes, event horizons, naked singularities and other spacetime engineering...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

10 comments

Self-replicating devices are potentially the most powerful technology of all, since they can...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

2 comments

Self-improving software

Self-evolving system

Nanoparticle hazard

Systems that might launch a “hard takeoff” AI where they rapidly become smarter and more capable...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

0 comments

A system that evolves freely is potentially very adaptable and creative. It could also become nearly...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

7 comments

Whether nanoparticles are dangerous or not depends likely on their size, composition, surface...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

7 comments

Motivation hazard

Memetic Hazard

Macroscale quantum system

As we learn to affect our brains better there is an increased risk for addictions, to gain pleasure...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

11 comments

A black lightbulb to represent really bad ideas.

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

17 comments

Macroscale quantum systems are likely not personally dangerous, but interfering with them will of...

Some rights reserved

Uploaded on Oct 8, 2006  |  Map

8 comments