Page 28 - An Evening with Maxwell's Daemons

Invasion of the Silicates

component of other compounds, it keeps what it needs to extend
itself and rejects the rest. That could be interesting. There may be
all sorts of synthetic materials that cannot be recycled because the
chemicals or energy required to break them down is too hazardous
or too expensive. The sand monster could be harnessed to do that
job for us at low cost.”
“And speaking of energy,” piped up Hydrargyrum Diggers, “why
couldn’t a laser be invented to vitrify the stuff and slice it into layers
for solar panels?”
“And speaking of the climate,” Kornfleck continued, “maybe the
rock pile could be exposed by removing loose surface material and
become a gigantic reflector of heat back into the atmosphere. That’s
assuming it’s whiter than what it is presently beneath.”
“Or even tweak its molecular structure to absorb and sequester
atmospheric carbon, just like vegetation,” said Fred, happy to join
in the litany of positive outcomes.
Rutger Schlager raised both hands, palms outward.
“All right, I get the idea. We’ve already found out we can’t
always generate irresistible forces against immovable objects. I
guess this could be just one more case of the latter. And maybe
you’re right that I’ve pushed my version of inorganic nemesis too
far, and I should remember that my potential readers do not want
to identify with some sort of depressing existentialist pessimism.
The Chinese say the superior man bends with the wind instead of
fighting it. I will rethink the whole thing. Thanks.”

27