Ultimate values

Life (or mechanical life like Asa H) has as its most fundamental values reproductive success and lifespan (survival).  (see my blogs of 21 Sept. 2010 and 19 Feb. 2011)  Agents occupy a volume in space-time.  Perhaps they should strive to occupy (or exert influence over) more space, not just have longer duration (lifespan). Life that is widely distributed has a better chance of survival if something happens to one of its habitats. Perhaps spreading out over space should be one of our ultimate values.  i.e. life spreads. If enacted, such a value would encourage work on space travel.

Simple Langmuir probe interfacing software

Probe drive circuit

Langmuir probe sweep circuit