It is quite possible that paperclips are not the optimal components of computronium. (Where optimal means getting the most computing power out of the space and materials used.)
It's a lot more possible that humans are not the optimal components of computronium.
Update: This post has also been superseded - new comments belong in the latest thread.
The second thread has now also exceeded 500 comments, so after 42 chapters of MoR it's time for a new thread.
From the first thread: