I have great appreciation for your continuing thoughtful analyses of nanotechnology issues, and the future.
I do worry, however, about the need for Asimov-inspired nano-laws of technology (Three laws of Robotics) to prevent an errant construct (Replicators of Star Gate fame?) from eating their way through modern society.
The same cautions have been discussed in the biotech world of genetic modification and genetic treatment, using a virus, for instance as a vector for causing change.
Let’s hope the genetic imperative of competition between humans doesn’t lead to a “need for speed” in the competitive sense that is so great as to overcome necessary caution.
I hope that you will use your good offices to promote a perspective of abundant caution in the design and employment of new technologies of whatever type.
I am by far not a Luddite in technology, but having seen the effects of misused technology, and the continuing manifestation of results , many not even yet observed, I am worried.

I offer the comments for your consideration as well.
Technology of any type offers great promise and great risk, when or if misused, as it sometimes has been.

THe Chinese ideogram for reward combines risk and opportunity.
As does nanotechnology.

Regards,

Barry W. Dennis
Woodstock, Maryland

This is more a general comment than one about the actual imagery, but I find that the science fictional narratives around nano and biotech are getting out of control! I have to say that in some ways, sci-fi allows for what Donna Haraway would consider a kind of opening up of possibilities to go against naturalized or dominant discourses about science (and in this case nanotechnology) and yet I seem to find the same stories and metaphors being rehearsed time and again.

I find it so interesting that the gap between what is actually possible now versus what is being imagined through these sci-fi images is so incredibly wide. Most of the scientists scoff when I show them these types of images and I find it fascinating that what has taken hold within certain public imaginaries of nanotechnology are the science fictional life-saving nano robots or futuristic technologies that will solve our water, energy and food problems. In my field work so far, what the scientists are actually doing in practice is in some ways quite boring and nothing near the mainstream nano images we see.

But hey, there’s no harm in imagining the surreal or the hyper-real - more food for thought or should I say salad?? Will be back with more thoughts soon…