(Part 2 of 4)

Nanotechnology—also called molecular manufacturing—is the precise manipulation of matter at the atomic and molecular level. Mature nanotechnology will bestow almost magical powers on its possessor:

• The pollution-free production of any material structure consistent with physical law, at virtually zero cost
• Palm-size computers vastly superior to current supercomputers
• Nanomedicine capable of curing all known diseases and ailments, including aging, leading to indefinite lifespans in a state of permanent health
• Many things we haven’t thought of yet

Because of nanotechnology’s far-reaching implications, many people have difficulty accepting its feasibility. Before dismissing nanotechnology as mere fantasy or science fiction, it is important to note that most of our contemporary technology already approaches magical levels by historical standards: manufactured goods are incredibly plentiful and cheap compared to those in (say) antiquity; today’s palm-size computers have already surpassed early room-size computers; modern medicine has already achieved miraculous results in the curing of disease and the extension of healthy human lifespan. In many ways, nanotechnology represents the next logical step.

The web is an incredibly rich source of information on nanotechnology, including the classic visionary book on the subject. Some good places to start:

• There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom: a famous talk by physicist Richard Feynman on the small-scale manipulation of matter, given at Caltech during the 1959 meeting of the American Physical Society
• Engines of Creation: Eric Drexler’s articulate and accessible introduction to nanotechnology (alluded to above), built on the foundation of Feynman’s vision
• Ralph Merkle’s nanotechnology page: a brief introduction to nanotechnology with lots of links to further information
• Foresight Nanotech Institute: an organization dedicated to preparing society for anticipated advanced technologies (especially nanotechnology)