Drexler recants:
Eric Drexler, known as the father of nanotechnology, today (Wednesday, 9th June 2004) publishes a paper that admits that self-replicating machines are not vital for large-scale molecular manufacture, and that nanotechnology-based fabrication can be thoroughly non-biological and inherently safe. Talk of runaway self-replicating machines, or "grey goo", which he first cautioned against in his book Engines of Creation in 1986, has spurred fears that have long hampered rational public debate about nanotechnology. Writing in the Institute of Physics journal Nanotechnology, Drexler slays the myth that molecular manufacture must use dangerous self-replicating machines.
Read the rest at The Institute of Physics
That was my post...
Posted by: Catherine Shaffer | June 09, 2004 at 09:35 AM
Right now nano is a little under the radar. It made lots of prsoimes back in the 80s, was very prematurely over-hyped, and so the disillusioned masses think it has gone away. Most people don't seem to realize it's finally emerged from a 2 decade trough-of-disillusion and it roaring back onto the scene. Once it's back on Joe-Sixpack's radar, expect to see the Gray Goo fear-mongers coming out of the ooze.+1
Posted by: Ellie | August 01, 2012 at 01:21 AM