BBC Radio Nanotech Series
Anonymous Coward writes "BBC Radio 4 is currently airing a series called "Small Worlds" which deals with a new nanotechnology issue each Wednesday at 9:00pm. All the programmes are available for download at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/smallworlds.sh tml. Towards the end of the second programme the "Sticky Fingers" argument is used by George Whitesides to dismiss the prospect of Nanoscale machines."
June 25th, 2004 at 2:27 PM
Whitesides is really behind the times…
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