Do you fear molecular nanotechnology?

simu

For example

Just wondering.

Note: I didn't post this in a science forum because it's more about people's opinions and fears rather than the actual science behind the nanotech!

AARRRGH

Sounds like complete BS but...

...with the way my career is going, I'll be a senior manager in a biotech/etc company in a few years, so I have nothing to fear, and everything to embrace

R0ot

Well power will always be abused in one way or another, but i don't really fear it, i mean who's going to pick on ireland

Fysh

Well, I'm deathly afraid of it (especially after reading Transmetropolitan), but then again I'm scared by big people, little people, middle-sized people, cats, dogs, spiders, bananas, the colour yellow, mondays, thursdays (AAGH!), long words, middling-to-long words that sound complicated, and woolly jumpers. So I'm perhaps not the best person to ask.

(Forgot to mention, I'm also scared of Ronnie Corbett, but I believe this to be an entirely natural reaction...)

bringitdown

If you read 'Prey' by Micheal Crichton it'd scare you particularly because if there is one thing 'The Da Vinci Code' has thought us it is that fictional novels are actually real.

MorningStar

Only the fact geeks will talk about it endlessly

Some idiot will write a book vaguely based on fact and people will believe it. Silly similar ideas The Net Sandra Bullock hides from all human contact and is easily replaced because she is always on the internet.
Disclosure, sold as a reversal of sex preditor except it is a ridculious sci-fi story with a virtual file system and about chip manufacture with a stupid sex story thrown in.
The de Vinci code, the idea that any secret organisation that doesn't make any money manages to stay organised for such a long time without anybody noticing is really possible :rolleyes: It also ignores things like the fact mary was 13 when she had jesus

Fysh

If there's one thing I learnt from the Da Vinci Code, it's that I'd have to either hit myself over the skull with a lead pipe repeatedly, or start drinking gin for breakfast, if I wanted to have the kind of writing success that Dan Brown's achieved, at least if I was going to try and write in the same way as him.

As for fictional novels being real...hmm, interesting. So it really is turtles all the way down then? I thought that was just some crazy lady in Britain believed that

Beruthiel

why fear it?
I say embrace it, after all, I could do with some AI implants when the Alzheimer’s sets in

Fysh

If it's nanotech implants we're talking about, I want a variety of drug synthesisers tied into synaptic receptors. Not only could you choose how high (and in what way) you get, you could also stop it if necessary within minutes

Oh, and I also want eyes with telescopic zoom lenses. And night vision.

bringitdown

Fysh, your ideas intrigue me .... you should start your own nanotech company, I'll donate €0.02

sutty

Fysh wrote:

If it's nanotech implants we're talking about, I want a variety of drug synthesisers tied into synaptic receptors. Not only could you choose how high (and in what way) you get, you could also stop it if necessary within minutes

Oh, and I also want eyes with telescopic zoom lenses. And night vision.

You've been watching Jake 2.0

I Cant say I fear it. As if someone is going to attack using it, you wont know what is happening before you die. Also the point the writer of that page when it comes to them being used as a deleviry system for toxens and viruses and the such, is compleat bull. These are devices that a going to be used to make changes on a cellure level. If they wanted you dead. They would just kill off your cells.

If you ask me though. The benfits of this tech far out way any Bad ideas someone can come up with.

stevenmu

No, for the same reason I don't fear bits of wood. There's lots and lots of really good things they can be used for. That doesn't mean somebody can't get a big stick and beat you over the head with it, but if somebody's out to get you, they'll find a way somehow. The only reason nano-technology would be more usefull than a big stick is for assasinations that make the death look like natural causes, and I don't see myself being a target for many of them.

Fysh

sutty wrote:

You've been watching Jake 2.0

Eh, while I am familiar with this show of which you speak, I haven't actually seen it, nor nicked ideas from it. I nick my ideas from Transmetropolitan or other stuff written by Warren Ellis

Deadwing

sometimes i lay awake at night unable to sleep out of fear of nanotechnology, possibly hiding under my bed, waiting for me to turn off the light.
dont look now, the neural implants are gonna get you!!!

Sleepy

Hmmm, nanotechnology. Well, once we achieve the point where we can create self-replicating nanites, there'll no longer be a need for us humans to do any work to feed, house or support ourselves freeing us up to nobler pursuits of our time (great art, scientific breakthroughs, space exploration etc) so far from fearing the technology, I look forward to it!

Fysh

Sleepy wrote:

freeing us up to nobler pursuits of our time (great art, scientific breakthroughs, space exploration etc)

I think you forgot the bit about shagging like bunnies once we have nanocontraceptives that allow selective control over fertility during sex.

On a more cynical note, I doubt those changes will happen while capitalism in its current form (or a not-too-dissimilar form) is seen as a viable and valid economic system for countries to operate under. I don't see a system that requires a large workforce functioning ok when none of that workforce have to worry about getting food or shelter any more, unless the machines themselves are being sold by private enterprise. In which case everyone'll be screwed again.

Eoin Madsen

You'll be the first to die in the new world order.

impr0v

I read the first few lines of that article and now the only thing I fear is having to reading the rest of it.

Goodshape

bringitdown wrote:

If you read 'Prey' by Micheal Crichton

Got half way through that before getting bored (give me a shout if its worth finishing!).

I have no perticular fear of nanotechnology.. no doubt there will be some accidents and mistakes... but then there always is (foolish humans!)

Ajnag

I for one wish to welcome our new tiny overlords.

There'll be plenty of time for worry when we can actually do something with nanotech, atm afaik applications are restricted to fairly unthreating objects such as body armour.

Nidge

simu wrote:

For example

Just wondering.

Note: I didn't post this in a science forum because it's more about people's opinions and fears rather than the actual science behind the nanotech!

By the looks of that the story of the Terminator films is coming true.

Sarky

I can't wait.

Sentient bath towels that clean themselves, and never having to change socks?

Oh baby!