FastForward Radio -- Nanotechnology in Three (or More) Easy Steps!
Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon begin a two-part series on nanotechnology. In Part 1, they explore the origin of the concept of nanotechnology and work through the basic concepts as outlined in K. Eric Drexler's Engines of Creation.
The entire book Engines of Creation is available online for free here:
We last spent time on this topic during our special series The World Transformed As we noted then...
Nanotechnology promises to change our world in ways that are difficult to predict, or even imagine.
Are you ready for...
...Star Trek style replicators that would allow you to make anything, ANYTHING, you wanted?
...artificial robotic blood cells that will turn an Average Joe into a world-class athlete, or allow you to hold your breath under water for an hour at a time?
...programmable "smart" matter than can take whatever form you want? It's a suitcase. No, a bicycle! No, a TV! No, a puppy!
Nanotechnology promises all of this plus a lot more.
In order to take advantage of that promise, we need to understand and prepare
for this coming revolution in how we interact with the material world.
URL's referred to during the show:
- Richard Feynman's talk / article, There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom.
- The entire book Engines of Creation.
- The Myth of the Starship.
- Nanobased Products Inventory 2009.
- Phil's "Nanotech Development Space" post.
- And here's "Phil's Nanotech Development Space" graph. The x axis (horizontal) represents the impact on society. The y axis (vertical) represents the impact on technology. "Simple" nanotech impacts technology but not society. "Major" nanotech impacts society but not technology. "Spooky" nanotech impacts both technology and society. "Fake" nanotech impacts neither.
- We encourage the FFR audience to check out the upcoming Foresight Nanotech Conference: Foresight 2010: the Synergy of Molecular Manufacturing and AGI.
- Our music this week is "Hold Me Down" from Nathan Lee. Hear it in stereo at Music Alley.
