Computers on the scale of solar systems
Am reading a book by Ray Kurzweil, one I've been meaning to get around to for some time and thoroughly enjoying so far, The Singularity is Near. I was just blown away by the following paragraph (p136 of 2006 paperback edition). So much so, I have to share this with you:
"And, of course, human civilization will not be limited to computing with a few pounds of matter. In chapter 6, we'll examine the computational potential of an Earth-like planet and computers on the scale of solar systems, of galaxies, and of the entire known universe. As we will see, the amount of time required for our human civilization to achieve scales of computation - and intelligence - that go beyond our planet and into the universe may be a lot shorter than you might think."
I love the sheer...immensity of Kurzweil's vision.