Re: Nanotechnology Redefined


"Drexler's ideas seem both compatible with our understanding of physics
and quite doable. There is nothing really that exotic about them. If
you have objections, it would be reasonable of you to be explicit about
them instead of being vague."

What is becoming increasingly clear is that biological methods are a
whole lot closer to solving all of the promises of nano-machines for a
fraction of the cost. This is in fact becoming so clear that many
people developing nanotechnology ideas have been attempting to redefine
chemical and biological manipulation as "nanotech".

The ONLY reason that Drexlar's ideas were popularized was because he
was promising all sorts of wild-eyed ideas for essentially no cost. But
in fact the development costs of real nano-machinery would be on the
level of ALL of the expenditures on ALL technology to date. I don't see
that as happening. And I don't see small scale development over a long
period of time as having much impact because larger scale technology is
simply too cheap and easy.

The world is full of ideas that are possible but impractical and
nano-technology in the Drexlar vein is one of them.

Not that hidden deep within the recesses of his ideas there are some
applications that will see the light of day for some reason or another.
Just that nanotechnology as originally stated simply doesn't exist and
probably never will.

I know that I certainly wouldn't put my investments into a nanotech
company. Would you?


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