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Gaming the Future: The Book!

Month: July 2004

Robert Bradbury on Freitas interview

Svidinenko Yuriy brings to our attention commentary by Senior Associate Robert Bradbury on an interview of Robert Freitas, including responses to readers' posts. Topics: nanobiotechnology, nanowarfare, age curing, nanomedicine robotics and more.

Drexler on nanotech research politics

Foresight VP Ralph Merkle brings to our attention an article by Foresight founder Eric Drexler on the political forces shaping nanotech research in "Nanotechnology: from Feynman to Funding", published in the Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society.

Lawrence Lessig on efforts to stamp out MNT research

Foresight Senior Associate Luke Nosek brings to our attention a piece on Wired.com written by Foresight Advisor Lawrence Lessig, titled Stamping Out Good Science, which describes efforts to eliminate research proposals for molecular manufacturing from US NNI funding consideration. "Science thus becomes irrational because we can't imagine government as rational. Simple facts of a political nature, we might say, tweaking and reusing Smalley's warning in a much more depressing context, prevent good science from ever becoming a reality."

Nanotech Communication Prize deadline July 31

To promote responsible coverage and assist society in making informed decisions about advanced nanotechnology and molecular manufacturing, Foresight Institute has established a communication prize. The nomination deadline for the 2004 Foresight Institute Prize in Communication is July 31.

A Modest Proposal for Prince Charles

Phil Bowermaster writes "The Prince of Wales is once again warning about the dangers of nanotechnology:

The Prince acknowledges nanotechnology is a "triumph of human ingenuity".

"Some of the work may have fundamental benefits to society, such as enabling the construction of much cheaper fuel-cells, or new ways of combating ill-health," he says.

But he adds: "How are we going to ensure that proper attention is given to the risks that may… ensue?

Hmmm, well if he's really this concerned, I can think of something that might really help."

Everybody's Getting Into The Act: Taiwan

John Heron writes "As reported today in the Taiwan Economic News, Taiwan is setting up a nano-industry association 'as part of the government's plan to boost output value of the island's industry using nanometer technology to NT$300 billion (US$9.1 billion at US$1:NT$) in 2008.' From the examples given in the article, field emission displays (FED) and optical disk technology improvements, I'd guess this is more marketing for material science under a different name rather than a molecular manufacturing initiative, but it is another government jumping on the nanotech bandwagon."

Howard Lovy departs Small Times, goes freelance

An anonymous reader writes "Howard Lovy announces that he has been reorganized out of Small Times magazine. One of his readers suggests that this was a political decision based on Howard's too-open advocacy of MNT. http://nanobot.blogspot.com/2004/07/flirtin-with-freelance-disaster.html" Update from Foresight president Christine Peterson: Now folks, there's no particular reason to assume MNT advocacy was involved here; it's just as likely to be a budget issue. We at Foresight all wish Howard excellent success in his new career as a freelancer–send some assignments his way!

Drexler challenges opponents of nanotechnology

In a letter published in Chemical & Engineering News, 28 June 2004, p.4, under the title "Nanotech challenge," Eric Drexler called for a dialog on the physical and engineering specifics of proposals to build molecular assemblers. Drexler wrote: "The recent publication of an additional letter to the editor (C&EN, May 17, page 5) regarding the Nanotechnology Point/Counterpoint (C&EN, Dec. 1, 2003, page 37) suggests that readers are still interested in this exchange. To date, although I've heard of scientists who endorse Richard E. Smalley's conclusions, none has been willing to endorse the core of his new argument (that water is essential to controlled chemical synthesis)."

New Russian nanotechnology equipment

Svidinenko Yuriy writes "System of the 'UMKA' nanotechnological equipment has been designed to perform demonstration, research and laboratory works at the atomic-molecular level in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, genetics and other fundamental and applied sciences. Basic applications of the 'UMKA' system are aimed at providing practical training and developing necessary skills to carry out operations with nanoscale structures." "UMKA" Training Nanotechnology Equipment. Provided by Nanotechnology News Network

Nano Business Idea Competition

Chris Thompson writes "CrainTech.com reports that the first International Nanotechnology Business Idea Competition is now accepting submissions from researchers and entrepreneurs interested in winning more than $75,000 in prize money. The competition is targeting (but isn't limited to) researchers who haven't yet developed a business plan. The competition is sponsored by Case Western Reserve University and the Nano Network. Rules and regulations are available at the Nano Network web site The winners will be announced in October as part of NANO Week, which features the Cleveland Clinic's NanoMedicine Summit."

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