So I have a mid-future SF setting on simmer where technology has become a lot “softer” (read: more organic, in the background, largely unnoticed). As part of that, I’d like to have a mesh network of genetically-engineered microbes exchanging P2P wifi signals. They’re in plants, animals, people, and so the Net is everywhere.
My problem is, what stops these microbes evolving back into non-wifi-enabled microbes that would have an advantage over the wifi-enabled ones (because they wouldn’t be using energy to broadcast radio signals, and would get to use it for themselves)? What advantage is there to a microbe in being part of a mesh network?
Lacerant Plainer, Peter Smalley: any thoughts?
Microbes mutate quickly, either through plasmid sharing or viral code injection. I’d pick sod (large surface area, controlled genetics – “WiFi Sod at Home Depot, now with 802.11r!) or trees for longevity, though signals in winter when they sleep?
Microbes mutate quickly, either through plasmid sharing or viral code injection. I’d pick sod (large surface area, controlled genetics – “WiFi Sod at Home Depot, now with 802.11r!) or trees for longevity, though signals in winter when they sleep?
Moss? In this setting, a lot of tree planting has gone on (to claw back from climate change), and nobody really has lawns any more.
Moss? In this setting, a lot of tree planting has gone on (to claw back from climate change), and nobody really has lawns any more.
Mike Reeves-McMillan moss is a viable alternative, and is used in place of lawns in many areas (still a niche custom, but very environmentally friendly.) If I wasn’t in the Phoenix Furnace … http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/garden/01moss.html?
Once established, it does much the same as sod, and is probably as genetically stable. Moss in real life doesn’t like copper. Antennas need a conductor to propagate signal so, moss carbon nanotubes?
Mike Reeves-McMillan moss is a viable alternative, and is used in place of lawns in many areas (still a niche custom, but very environmentally friendly.) If I wasn’t in the Phoenix Furnace … http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/garden/01moss.html?
Once established, it does much the same as sod, and is probably as genetically stable. Moss in real life doesn’t like copper. Antennas need a conductor to propagate signal so, moss carbon nanotubes?
Radio moss sounds good, with carbon nanotubes. There’s still the question of why it just doesn’t evolve back into a form that keeps the energy for itself. Why does moss want a radio?
Radio moss sounds good, with carbon nanotubes. There’s still the question of why it just doesn’t evolve back into a form that keeps the energy for itself. Why does moss want a radio?
It would evolve back, but on a longer time scale. In order for the moss to want a radio, it needs an incentive. Microbes evolve to resist antibiotics, but this resistance takes energy. In an antibiotic-free environment, the microbes lose resistance because those without have the advantage.
Why does moss want a radio? That’s an excellent question. Perhaps it confers extra energy? The moss antenna array could absorb background noise, and only emit on the frequencies it’s programmed to, garnering a small benefit in the difference. Not realistic, since background radio only gives what, pico-watts?
It would evolve back, but on a longer time scale. In order for the moss to want a radio, it needs an incentive. Microbes evolve to resist antibiotics, but this resistance takes energy. In an antibiotic-free environment, the microbes lose resistance because those without have the advantage.
Why does moss want a radio? That’s an excellent question. Perhaps it confers extra energy? The moss antenna array could absorb background noise, and only emit on the frequencies it’s programmed to, garnering a small benefit in the difference. Not realistic, since background radio only gives what, pico-watts?
Could it benefit from knowing what weather was coming, by communicating with other moss far away?
Could it benefit from knowing what weather was coming, by communicating with other moss far away?
Possibly. Either by adapting to changing conditions – dry spell on the way, go dormant – or by signaling for attention through passing devices, hey human water me please!
Possibly. Either by adapting to changing conditions – dry spell on the way, go dormant – or by signaling for attention through passing devices, hey human water me please!
Oh, now that opens up possibilities. They can get the water and nutrients they need by signalling with wifi. But that only works in inhabited areas, not out in the forest – unless the squirrels and such are also wifi-enabled, and can be induced to crap near them to fertilise them?
(It’s much easier to answer “why does a squirrel want a radio?”)
Oh, now that opens up possibilities. They can get the water and nutrients they need by signalling with wifi. But that only works in inhabited areas, not out in the forest – unless the squirrels and such are also wifi-enabled, and can be induced to crap near them to fertilise them?
(It’s much easier to answer “why does a squirrel want a radio?”)
Just an idea: gamified crowdsourced civilization. Just like getting points in Farmville and similar games, people get points for helping where the community needs it. Moss needs water, first person to quench the thirst gets points. Trees need harvesting, etc. Points to be exchanged for… more resources?
Just an idea: gamified crowdsourced civilization. Just like getting points in Farmville and similar games, people get points for helping where the community needs it. Moss needs water, first person to quench the thirst gets points. Trees need harvesting, etc. Points to be exchanged for… more resources?
Yeah, that’s where I’m taking it already. Contributor credits. Though it’s mainly for things that AIs can’t do, creative things and the exercise of human judgement, rather than watering the moss. Where I am right now with the first story, the protagonist is trying to raise enough credits to get equipped to go out in the wilderness.
Oo. There we go. There are rewards for going out in the wilderness and maintaining the moss there. Thank you!
Yeah, that’s where I’m taking it already. Contributor credits. Though it’s mainly for things that AIs can’t do, creative things and the exercise of human judgement, rather than watering the moss. Where I am right now with the first story, the protagonist is trying to raise enough credits to get equipped to go out in the wilderness.
Oo. There we go. There are rewards for going out in the wilderness and maintaining the moss there. Thank you!
Happy to be a sounding board!
Happy to be a sounding board!
This is what I like about G+.
This is what I like about G+.