The "fingers" argument has never been more than a misunderstanding. Even Smalley abandoned it in his debate with Drexler last December, switching to (incorrect) statements about the limitations of enzymes.

But at this point it's more than a misunderstanding. Drexler's open letter a year ago publicized the fact that the fingers fallacy misrepresents his work. And that fact is very easy to verify.

Is Whitesides commenting on a discussion that he has not even superficially followed? What other explanation could there be for his using such an irrelevant and inappropriate argument?

Chris