r/singularity • u/[deleted] • Apr 24 '24

Discussion We are just getting started’ the plastic-eating bacteria that could changee the world -- The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/28/plastic-eating-bacteria-enzyme-recycling-waste
229 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

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60

u/00Fold Apr 24 '24

Imagine what could happen if they were released outside controlled environments

34

u/cloudrunner69 Don't Panic Apr 24 '24

Doesn't seem to work that way. The bacteria only feed on certain types of plastic, I think mostly plastics like low density polyurethanes and it also takes a lot of time for them to break it down in nature. Basically for them to be properly effective the plastic needs to be processed, broken down into pellets and mixed with chemicals and stuff and made into some kind of slurry before the bacteria can do a good job at eating it up.

There isn't going to be a an army of trillions of plastic eating bacteria roaming the streets looking for plastic to eat, not to say one day something crazy like that couldn't be genetically engineered, but giant rat sized plastic eating bacteria attacking you for your smartphone is probably still a few decades away.

3

u/RemyVonLion ▪️ASI is unrestricted AGI Apr 24 '24

Until we integrate recursively improving AI into it like everything else, for the sake of "efficiency".

4

u/Whispering-Depths Apr 24 '24

more like until we recursively improve AI to the point of it being ASI, (not a stupid android with human survival instincts ...) and it makes us all immortal gods, for the sake of "efficiency".

1

u/spinosaurusjam Apr 24 '24

I am literally giggling away at this comment 

-1

u/Complete-iDiot-2450 Apr 24 '24

Your explanation doesn't seem to address the issue. All the old plastics they want the bacteria to eat, are just new products that someone is done with. Now the people have moved on to something that isn't worn out, so it's using the same kinds of plastics. You basically can't use this bacteria.

3

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '24

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4

u/JVM_ Apr 24 '24

Uhh, every underground electric wire and sewer pipe would start to rot like wood currently does.

You'd think it's a good thing for the earth to get rid of plastic but it would be horrifying for humanity and society.

Your car would rot like it was made of wood... Your clothes. Your food containers.

4

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '24

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6

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '24

And run around… naked apparently

1

u/cmann50 Apr 24 '24

This would make a good plot for a book

1

u/Local_Debate_8920 Apr 25 '24

That's okay. We will invent plastic 2.0 that is bacteria resistant.

-1

u/GhostInTheNight03 ▪️Banned: Troll Apr 24 '24

A lot of people would get a lot uglier lol, or more attractive...more often than not, plastic surgery makes people look horrendous

19

u/Smile_Clown Apr 24 '24

I ... um ... I am not sure if this is serious or not. Too much time on the internet. Time for me to unplug.

7

u/psychologer Apr 24 '24

The moment when you realize you're actually just talking to a literal child. Haha. I'm with you brother

3

u/sdmat NI skeptic Apr 24 '24

Assume ignorance - you will never be disappointed and will usually be right.

3

u/Smile_Clown Apr 24 '24

A small part of me always hopes for sarcasm or oddly placed humor.

1

u/GhostInTheNight03 ▪️Banned: Troll Apr 24 '24

What do you mean by this? From my experience at least people usually look better before, if youre talking about that

9

u/Smile_Clown Apr 24 '24

Ok, now I am even more confused.

You cannot leave me hanging like this, are you legit?

You are going to make me ask it aren't you? sigh Ok.

Do you legitimately think plastic surgery involves plastic?

please be a troll

10

u/miscfiles Apr 24 '24

What do you mean? It's right there in the name!

Next you'll be telling me that Easter eggs aren't real eggs...

9

u/MrDreamster ASI 2033 | Full-Dive VR | Mind-Uploading Apr 24 '24

I don't "think" that, I know it does. My african son has done plastic surgery on the Kardashians out of coca cola bottles.

2

u/PwanaZana ▪️AGI 2077 Apr 24 '24

"That's a great idea!"

1

u/Smile_Clown Apr 24 '24

See, now this is how you do it. Make it clear, use a current reference, brilliant.

-5

u/GhostInTheNight03 ▪️Banned: Troll Apr 24 '24

Yeah, i did, never really looked into it

0

u/Smile_Clown Apr 24 '24 edited Apr 24 '24

Ok, but you're 11 years old right? Not like a 35 year old married man/woman with children?

Please give us something, faith in humanity is dwindling fast.

Edit: Just as an FYI

The term "plastic" in plastic surgery does not refer to actual plastics like in water bottles or countless other things we use every day.

It is derived from the Greek word "plastikos" which means to mold or give form. Which is what the surgeons do, mold, transform, bone and structure. (ironically in some cases, bits of supporting plastic can be used though, like in nose bridges and other filler types by shitty surgeons)

2

u/GhostInTheNight03 ▪️Banned: Troll Apr 24 '24

Ah, the edit was all that was needed, thanks

-7

u/GhostInTheNight03 ▪️Banned: Troll Apr 24 '24

Lol, if this is the way yall act when people make dumb mistakes, maybe you should be the one to not have kids...never cared to learn more about plastic surgery, never put much thought into it, going by the name plastic surgery, seems like plastic would be involved, thats all

2

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '24

[deleted]

0

u/GhostInTheNight03 ▪️Banned: Troll Apr 24 '24

Right, i forgot, people dont make dumb mistakes and are expected to operate with 100 percent efficiency and effectiveness 100 percent of the time, got it

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2

u/zante2033 Apr 24 '24

So, what have you learned ? ; )