Genetic Engineering, Nanotech, and Robotics-  The logical argument that Bill Joy puts together in his “Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us” is, as seen in the analysis, strong and persuasive.  However, other logical arguments can be made as to the plight of mankind.  Perhaps the experience (see Ethos) of Joy makes his argument stronger, but there are clearly other paths that time may choose for us.  Though, as Joy says, there is great danger from the future GNR technologies, he also allows that there is a growing threat from current nuclear powers:
 

The recent addition of India and Pakistan to the list of nuclear powers has increased the threat of failure of the nonproliferation goal, and this danger was reflected by moving the hands [of the Doomsday Clock] closer to midnight in 1998.  (254)

The fact of the matter is, the immediate threat is nuclear, despite what might happen in the future.  If the world were to end in a ball of nuclear fire, there certainly would be no need to worry about GNR technologies.

And can science really progress this far?  Scientists have failed to provide humanity a cure for AIDS, Cancer, the Flu, and even the common cold.  What makes us so sure that we can create a new, self-sufficient species if we cannot even kill those that are already in existence?  Do we as humans overestimate our ability merely because of recent technological breakthroughs?  Before we decide to go playing god, humanity has to make sure that it has the substance to back up its ego.  Joy’s concern is that if we cannot defeat viruses, how would we possibly be able to defeat self-replicating supercomputers the size of a molecule.  But does Joy not provide some small hope in that very idea?  If we cannot defeat viruses, how could we even fathom creating self-replicating supercomputers the size of a molecule?

Joy does, however, play on the fear of the unknown (see Pathos).  If Moore’s Law holds true, there surely is no telling how far technology will go, or how long it will take us to self-destruct.  There are no certainties in Joy’s argument, except that the precedent of the past creates a terrifying picture of the future.  If Joy’s sound logic holds true, however, the nations of the world desperately need to take his warning now, before, as Joy fears, it’s too late.