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From: bill@utastro.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: What is a deadly Von Neuman probe?
Message-ID: <693@utastro.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 4-Oct-83 14:25:31 EDT
Article-I.D.: utastro.693
Posted: Tue Oct  4 14:25:31 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 9-Oct-83 18:18:48 EDT
References: <12170@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Organization: UTexas Astronomy Dept., Austin, Texas
Lines: 24

A von Neuman probe is a self-replicating automaton
which has been sent out by an intelligent life-form
to explore the galaxy in lieu of the personal
presence of the life-form.  A deadly von Neuman
probe is one that, through mutation (e.g., incorrect
replication of its program) or design (e.g., deliberate
design by the race that made it) is inimical to some
or all forms of life.  The fear is that such probes
might be deliberately sent out by xenophobic races
to wipe out planets it detects emitting electromagnetic
radiation before the intelligent race on such a planet 
could become a threat; or that a mutated probe might
even produce a race of probes inimical to its creators.

There is an interesting article on this and related subjects
that appeared just yesterday in my snailbox.  It is 
"The 'Great Silence': the Controversy Concerning Extraterrestrial 
Life", by Glen David Brin, in the *Quarterly Journal of the Royal 
Astronomical Society*, Vol. 24, p. 283 (1983). 

	Bill Jefferys  8-%
	Astronomy Dept, University of Texas, Austin TX 78712   (Snail)
	ihnp4!kpno!utastro!bill   (uucp)
	utastro!bill@utexas-11   (ARPA)