Here's a nanotech fairy tale for you:
The theme has played out time and time again across every culture. The Chinese fable-cum-opera, Torandot...the 14th century English tale of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight...Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels (the coincidence of the tiny people from the land of Liliput is not lost on me!)...the Greek classics of Oedipus and Hercules...
You get the point.
A protagonist must pass through a series of trials and tests to reach some goal. Usually credibility, nobility(...or a fair maiden.)
The origin of the nanotechnology prefix -nano, is Greek. So it's only fitting that the nanotechnology industry, anthropomorphized into our pint-sized protagonist named "Nano" must thrust through the same storied gauntlet to garner public receptivity, respect and legitimacy.
For Nano, the first three obstacles require passing relatively unscathed through three closely guarded and powerful towns--the inhabitants of each increasingly skeptical and wary:
- 1. Washington, D.C
- 2. Hollywood
- 3. Wall Street
- 4. Main Street
It has taken several years, but so far Nano has successfully passed through the gates of the first town, Washington, D.C. led largely by an able guide.
The second town, Hollywood, has also welcomed Nano in, showering him with attention and putting him on display at the town center for all to see (Spiderman, The Hulk, Jake 2.0, Prey, Spy Kids, The Tuxedo).
Nano is now navigating his third passage, through Wall Street. Our own team has given the residents of this town a grounded understanding to embrace Nano (Merrill Lynch & Credit Suisee First Boston, most recently).
And Nano's fourth passage will be his most treacherous. He needs the full-fledged support of the the corporations and public opinion lining the streets of Main Street--the absence of which will spell an undesired fate.
To be continued...
(Josh Wolfe, NYC)
Article comments
1 - Steve Waite
Josh: You are bang on. With respect to #4, I think corporations have already signed on to board the Nano train. GE's head of Global Research stated not long ago that "Nanotechnology is the drawing board for GE's future." In addition, scores of prominent companies from all parts of the world are engaged in Nano-related R&D activity. As a result, it really comes down to Main Street. And here, the jury is still out, although I suspect most Americans accept Nanotech as the future. My guess is that the Japanese public are accepting as well. Europe and the UK are a different matter. As we've learned with other powerful technologies, education and research are vital to maintain grassroots support for Nanotech on Main Street. Along these lines, I'm encouraged by actions taken recently by the Nanotech Business Alliance. Very intelligent.
2 - Matt Largo
There is a "dark side" to nanotechnology that most people don't know about. For example, nanoparticles are made from known elements, such as graphite. The behavior of graphite in our bodies and ecosystem is pretty well documented. On the other hand, the nanoparticle version of known elements exhibit undocumented and different behavior than their regular-sized counterparts. While the body has built-in defenses for natural particles it encounters, the danger of nanotechnology is that it is introducing entirely new types of particles. Particles some experts say the body is likely to find toxic. Just food for thought.
3 - gonzo marx
ok...this one scares the shit out of me...
humans being the wacky creatures we are...one of the first Applications of ANY new technology tends to be weaponization
and the possibilities of weaponized nano-tech/biologicals make nuclear destruction seem like so many roman candles on the 4th of july
now that's real fucking terror
excellent Article...thanks for the Nightmares
Excelsior!