In:
Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, SAGE Publications, Vol. 24, No. 1 ( 2004-02), p. 21-27
Kurzfassung:
The revolutionary Feynman vision of a powerful and general nanotechnology, based on nanomachines that build with atom-by-atom control, promises great opportunities and, if abused, great dangers. This vision made nanotechnology a buzzword and launched the global nanotechnology race. Along the way, however, the meaning of the word has shifted. A vastly broadened definition of nanotechnology (including any technology with nanoscale features) enabled specialists from diverse fields to infuse unrelated research with the Feynman mystique. The resulting nanoscaletechnology funding coalition has obscured the Feynman vision by misunderstanding its basis, distrusting its promise, and fearing that public concern regarding its dangers might interfere with research funding. In response, leaders of a funding coalition have attempted to narrow nanotechnology to exclude one area of nanoscale technology—the Feynman vision itself. Their misdirected arguments against the Feynman vision have needlessly confused public discussion of the objectives and consequences of nanotechnology research.
Materialart:
Online-Ressource
ISSN:
0270-4676
,
1552-4183
DOI:
10.1177/0270467604263113
Sprache:
Englisch
Verlag:
SAGE Publications
Publikationsdatum:
2004
ZDB Id:
2008113-3
SSG:
11
SSG:
19,2
Permalink
