Keynote Address: Slime vs. Silicon

The computer-savvy engineer dreams of being relieved of the burden of being encased in an expendable and fragile carbon-based unit, of uncertain but limited lifespan, and with an irritating propensity to fail at unexpected moments. The alternative: a silicon-brained metallic or polyalloy® ("Liquid Metal") body unit with a 1000-year rechargeable powerpack, unlimited warranty, and infinite upgrade capability. Into this unit the engineer will be ported with high speed and complete efficiency, to live a long, long uptime of adventure and discovery, while retaining or perhaps enhancing the ability to attract members of the opposite sex. Greg Bear will discuss the philosophical, biological, and practical aspects of this vision, and try to guess whether the U.S.'s current Republican administration will fund research into such endeavors.