Comments on: IFTF predicts nanotech 50 years out

By: Christine Peterson

Christine Peterson — Fri, 26 May 2006 21:30:00 +0000

Probably we should expect advanced molecular nanotechnology to take advantage of all the tools and techniques possible: actual biology, non-bio systems inspired by biology, and non-bio systems very different from biology. —Christine

By: Richard Jones

Richard Jones — Fri, 26 May 2006 11:42:48 +0000

Christine, “like biology” isn’t the same as “biology”. It’s perfectly possible to conceive synthetic nanodevices that use general design principles inspired by biology (like self-assembly, like macromolecular conformational change, like allostery) but are made from entirely synthetic materials, quite possibly with a considerably broader range of properties than available in biological materials. These could well operate without water and outside the narrow temperature range of conventional biology if that’s what’s required. However, I can’t help feeling that water at 37 °C is only going to get more rather than less important as more and more of the economy is devoted to keeping our generation healthy…

By: NanoEnthusiast

NanoEnthusiast — Thu, 25 May 2006 03:52:14 +0000

I have a name for it, neo-vitalism, or crypto-vitalism. It is a great counterpart to Gary Stix’s “Nanoism”. So everyone feel free to use it in arguments with people when they start name calling.