Matrioshka Brain
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A Matrioshka Brain (or MB) is a hypothetical construction of immense computational and physical resources using a star (usually at its centre) as a power source. It is conjectured but not proven to be physically feasible. It is reasonable to assume that such a construction under currently known laws of physics would be valid.
The term was invented by Robert Bradbury (see external link) as an alternative to Jupiter Brains (their contrast being a concentrated intelligence vs. a distributed intelligence) and is derived from the term for Matrioshka dolls which are analogous to the shells in the most efficient (from an energy and mass requirements perspective) MB construction method known.
The construction in question is achieved by dismantling most or all of the planetary bodies in a given solar/stellar system. The material is then turned into a concentric series of heat-exchanging nanocomputers, arranged around a star. Those closest to the star would be run at extremlely high temperatures, the outermost would emit a heat level approaching that of space itself and each layer would be (at least partially) powered by the radiated heat of the next one in. One idea suggested by Charlie Stross would be to use it to run perfect simulations (mind transfer) of human minds in virtual reality spaces supported by the Matrioshka brain.
See also
External links
- Robert Bradbury's Matrioshka Brain site (http://www.aeiveos.com/~bradbury/MatrioshkaBrains/index.html)
- Short story by Charlie Stross mentioning the Matrioshka Brain concept (http://www.asimovs.com/_issue_0406/nightfall.shtml)it:Matrioshka Brain