Drexler K.E. Engines of Creation 2.0: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology

Wowio, 2006. — 646 p.Nanotechnology, or molecular technology, involves the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules, something the human body already does. In Engines of Creation , Drexler attempts to predict, justify, quantify, and caution us about this important new field in engineering. His book could have been the first and foremost discussion of this fascinating subject. But Drexler strays from the topic with annoying regularity. He devotes too little space to the possibilities of nanotechnology and too much to esoteric and opinionated discussions of philosophy, politics, information science, defense, human relations, etc. Nanotechnology will indeed become a reality, and the public needs to be informed. It is therefore unfortunate that Engines of Creation was not written more clearly or directly.Letter from the author
Foreword by Marvin Minsky
Prelude There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom by Richard Feynman
The foundations of foresight
Engines of Construction
The Principles of Change
Predicting and Projecting
Profiles of the possible
Engines of Abundance
Thinking Machines
The World Beyond Earth
Engines of Healing
Long Life in an Open World
A Door to the Future
The Limits to Growth
Dangers and hopes
Engines of Destruction
Strategies and Survival
Finding the Facts
The Network of Knowledge
Worlds Enough, and Time
Postlude Advice to Aspiring Nanotechnologists by K. Eric Drexler
Appendices
Molecular Engineering: An Approach to the Development of General Capabilities for Molecular Manipulation
Molecular Manufacturing: Perspectives on the Ultimate Limits of Fabrication
The Drexler-Smalley Debate
Introduction by Rudy Baum
An Open Letter to Richard Smalley by K. Eric Drexler
Toward Closure: An Open Letter to Richard Smalley by K. Eric Drexler
Response by Richard Smalley
Counter by K. Eric Drexler
Final Response by Richard Smalley
Analysis of the Drexler-Smalley Debate by Ray KurzweilNotes and referencesAbout the author