Nanotechnology Now - News Story: Balancing between Skepticism and Optimism in Nanotech

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November 1st, 2011

Balancing between Skepticism and Optimism in Nanotech

Abstract:
Sometimes the seeming conflict between the overflowing optimism for nanotechnology and then the biting skepticism aimed at it creates confusion in its wake.

The skepticism surrounding nanotechnology in no small part stems from the belief—as Tim Harper points out—that a new iPhone app constitutes an emerging technology. When people confuse the next generation of an iPod with developing a material that will keep Moore's Law progressing for the next 25 years, there's likely to be some disappointment in nanotechnology.

Plus, isn't disappointment almost assured when it seems the overriding sentiment within capital markets is "Why bother with hard to understand, risky, expensive and long term stuff like nanotechnology when it only takes a couple of guys with a few laptops to create the next Facebook - and you'll know whether it will work in 18 months rather than 5 years."

Source:
spectrum.ieee.org

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