| Bibliography |
Social Context |
Method |
Theory Agent |
Data Statistics |
Related Research |
Relevance |
| 1988-01. Quinones, R. 1/19/88 “How nano-seconds became the modern enemy” WP p. z.20 | an analysis of time through
classical thinkers to present
including Rifkin, Boorstin,
Kipling, Shakespeare,
Petrarch, w/ reference to
Renaissance | interpretation of date and time as agent of reality | We are entering a new
temporal world where time is segmented into
nanoseconds – future is programmed in advance, nature is re-conceived as bits of coded information and paradise is an artificial
simulated, environment | literature and theory | criticism and analysis of time | to counteract sense of dispersion and distraction, encourage capacity to engage in fruitful labor for long un-interrupted periods of time. To counteract historical isolation, encourage history – not of past – but of connectedness of things. Nano used as agent of dispersion (nanosecond displaces time)
|
| 1988-02. Trausch, S. 1/24/88. Cool customers believers in the relatively new science of cryonics are banking on the idea that there could be life after death. Boston Globe p.16. | Eric Drexler, began research at MIT science library and is visiting scholar at Stanford University's computer science department. | Researching field of molecular machines and studying the possibility of creating microscopic computers – connected molecular manufacturing with cell repair, “Robert Ettinger's book...there was no technology that would have even remotely backed him up” (16) assumed that molecular manufacturing could be that technology. | Theory is that molecular manufacturing provides method for cell repair | hypothetical – data is that “40 years ago chemotherapy treatments for cancer, genetic engineering, test-tube babies, artificial hearts, and even CPR would have been considered science fiction,” (16) so the development of molecular machines is not too far out of reach. | Reference to Ettinger, R. (1962). The prospect of immortality. But notes that there was no appropriate technology then to accomplish cryonics. | Microscopic computers might be programmed to repair damaged cells in the body. Coins term “nanotechnology”. Drexler, “science makes a mistake by judging the future by the present.” (16)Article demonstrates early persuasive narrative of nanotech. |
| 1988-03. Hilts, P. 1/25/88
Molecular Ruler WP p. a03 | University Minnesota,
Brookhaven National Lab
Published in J. American
Chemical Society | Miller and group developed method of measuring to level of nanometer size of an atom. They use iridium atoms. | astonishment – measuring
individual atoms. Doing it because it is possible | clusters of iridium atoms, scanning transmission electronic microscope. Already measured on scale
of micrometers | “To step into a future in which
supercomputers are the size of sugar
cubes – it is necessary to
measure and manipulate objects
the size of individual molecules” (a.03) | iridium might be chemically
attached to ends of lines or wires
on a tiny electronic device to see
if they are the right length (need
measuring devices for small
machines) |
| 1988-04. Weiss, R. 3/7/88. “Welcome to the space age pharmacy (Biomedicine)” WP. p. c.03
| Biomedical engineers | drug development – primary studies on rats; nanocapsules microscopic spheres made from biodegradable polymer development from tissue glue from surgery- spheres are ingested and later dissolve
| getting chemicals into patients is difficult – some chemicals are rapidly broken down and others are expensive and not convenient. Goal is more precise drug administration
| mostly hypothetical- some advanced clinical trials
| included w/ projects on insulin; contraception
| drugs easier to administer to patients – nano seen as solution to drug resistance problems; little detail on specifics of process/materials
|
| 1988-06. Krier, A. 10/27/88. How Nylon Changes the World 50 years ago Today, it Reshaped the Way we Live-and Think. LA.P. 1 | Eric Drexler, Stanford U's computer science dept. | Nylon is heat set so that it coils and can be stretched | the technology used to make nylon, stringing sub-units of polymers together in certain order, is the same as nanotech which folds up the polymers to create molecular objects | Nylon led to recombinant DNA because both Nylon and DNA are polymers, and recombinant DNA will lead to curing diseases | Social separation (rich look down on poor for wearing an unnatural material as nylon), World War II (Nylon was banned from stores; it all had to go to the war cause) | interesting that a synthetic material (that has changed our lifestyle by making clothes more of a second skin and creating safety nets for space shuttles) leads to curing diseases |
| 1988-07. Schudel, M. 12/11/88. Putting fate on ice costs a cool $100,000, but cyonicists say you'll be forever grateful. Chicago Tribune p. 1. | E. Drexler's Engines of Creation which provides hypothetical method for cyonics. Claims are contradicted by Dr. J. Baust director of the Center for Cryobilogical Research at the University of New York at Binghamton. Baust is president of the society for cryobiology. Cryobiology is different from cyonics (biology-living material at cold temperatures vs. restoring life to dead tissue) | Drexler's book provides theoretical method for cyonics – restructuring body molecule by molecule. Claims are refuted by Baust who doesn't want cyronics confused with his research area which studies how animal and plant tissues respond to very low temperatures | “Aging is natural but so were smallpox and our efforts to prevent it” (1) writes Drexler. “We have conquered smallpox and it seems that we will conquer aging...the technology underlying cell-repair systems will allow people to change their bodies in ways that range from the trivial to the amazing to the bizarre.” (1) | hypothetical. "We're just going too far with some of these claims" (1) says Dr. John Baust...."it's almost too far for science fiction." (1) | Cryonicists regard Drexler's book “with almost religious fervor.” (1) Interesting confusion with “legitimate science” in Cryobiological research. “One of the fundamental differences” (1) Baust says, “is that the cryonics practitioners are starting out with dead tissue and building science fiction on top of it. To say you can go and bring somebody back to life, that's a big jump. We might as well have a biochemist with all the chemicals on the shelf to form human life and send a flash of lightning through it to create a person.” (1) | The big hope is that the aging process can be reversed: Not only will you live again but you'll be able to go back to your past and choose the age you want to be. Fatal diseases will be cured after the fact. |
| 1988-08. Rensberger, B. 12/18/88. Discovering New Worlds in the Realm of the Cell Series. The Washington Post. P. a01 | Linda Thomas, cell biologist at University of California @ San Fransisco | manipulate cells at molecular level to help cure diseases- e.g. t-PA drug acts as catalyst to convert natural blood into clot dissolver; blood cells near the clot product natural t-PA | the purpose of studying cells at molecular level is to help with curing of diseases | "-using molecular cell biology, t-PA drug helps with heart attacks
-self assembly explains how snow flakes are made and other scientific phenomena" | biomedical | viewing cells at molecular level could lead to cure of cancer, common cold, aids, and heart disease because they all deal with cell mechanism failure. |