The Zero Component Machine (ZCM) I was musing about all the problems things make, so I hit on this notation of the ultimate machine type: One with Zero Components! They have many advantages: zero design work: will never be the wrong thing zero raw material: will never deplete our resources zero production work: we can make as many as we want zero weight: ultimatively portable, take as many as you want zero space usage: no need of storage space, renting room zero power consumption: no batteries or power lines needed zero maintenance: no charging batteries or refilling consumables zero exhaust gases: no environmental threat zero noise generated: do not go on peoples nerves zero defects: never go broken, no repairs, last forever zero lossage: no checking for losing or forgetting them zero upgrades: no outrunning abilities, no selecting successor zero refuse: no landfill problems Later I thought about an ZCMs impact on society: In this they also look very good: zero manufacturing: no factories and workers required zero organisation: no silly managers and buerocrats zero capital needed: no "investors" getting undeservedly rich zero turnover needed: no putting up with annoying adverts zero distribution: no putting up with salescritters zero cost: no contribution to rich/poor problem zero stealing: no fear of loss, nor replacing them What? They don't do anything usefull? Now what sort of nitpicking is that! Actually this concept is usefull, because it gives an base for comparing all the advantages of (more) components, with all above disadvantages which each component adds more of. This not just applies to components of one design, but also the amount of devices one has and uses. Can the advantages in comfort/usefullness justify the disadvantages in expenditure/costs? Can the saving of time justify the time making it, or using it and material usage? This enables dividing of developements into sensible and senseless. It leads to only using that which brings more usefullness than damage. - Neil Franklin,, (original top section was around 1993/94) (addendum bottom section was around 1997/98)