Home > News > Enough nanotalk
February 28th, 2005
Enough nanotalk
Abstract:
In his novel "Cat's Cradle," Kurt Vonnegut created three new words suitable for nanotechnology. Vonnegut defines the words in his collection of essays, "Wampeters, Foma, and Granfalloons": "A wampeter is an object around which the lives of many otherwise unrelated people may revolve. The Holy Grail would be a case in point. Foma are harmless untruths, intended to comfort simple souls. An example: 'Prosperity is just around the corner.' A granfalloon is a proud and meaningless association of human beings."
Nanotechnology is undeniably a wampeter.
Source:
smalltimes
Bookmark:
Miscellaneous
Editorial: Choices for Congress September 9th, 2010
Stephen Hawking - 'Don't Talk to Aliens' April 26th, 2010
It’s about damn time: Medvedev bans nanodemocracy April 15th, 2010
Savor maple syrup time in Ohio: Travel in 3s February 20th, 2010