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Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology (Anchor Library of Science) Paperback – Illustrated, October 16, 1987
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- Print length320 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherAnchor
- Publication dateOctober 16, 1987
- Dimensions5.2 x 0.7 x 8 inches
- ISBN-109780385199735
- ISBN-13978-0385199735
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Product details
- ASIN : 0385199732
- Publisher : Anchor; 58153rd edition (October 16, 1987)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 320 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9780385199735
- ISBN-13 : 978-0385199735
- Item Weight : 9.8 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.2 x 0.7 x 8 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #802,271 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #35 in Nanotechnology (Books)
- #42 in Nanostructures in Physics
- #801 in History of Technology
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The first half introduces Drexler’s vision of molecular assemblers, which can make anything. (Drexler understands the meaning of "small" better than Steve Martin's sketch of "getting small".) In the second half, he discusses the pros and cons of making such assemblers, among many other topics. For example, Drexler predicts the use of hypertext in a future world - which is exactly what happened when the Internet was invented.
The idea of molecular assemblers is the most interesting of Drexler’s visions – and the most controversial. The inspiration for nanotechnology originated from a talk made by Richard Feynman in the 1959: “There is Plenty of Room at the Bottom”. In 1986, "Engines of Creation" must have created quite a sensation and excitement about nanotechnology. However, at the time the idea of molecular assemblers was not considered feasible by some chemists, particularly a Professor Richard Smally. A debate ensued between Drexler and Smally, who claimed that molecular assemblers as envisioned in "Engines" are impossible. As a result, Drexler -- the inspiration and godfather of nanotechnology -- was ostracized by many in this field he helped create (somewhat like what happened to Oppenheimer after running the Manhattan Project). Drexler later founded the Foresight Institute, which makes forecasts about the future with the objective of making responsible "foresight" in their ideas.
This is about the best overview of the conceptual space of nanotechnology you can get right now - even after 24+ years. It's brilliant, it's conscise, it's visionary. It *is* a little much. Accept that and enjoy, and it may become your favorite popular science book.
I think much of what Drexler proposes is impossible - as impossible as full human consciousness emulation and interstellar travel anyway. It seems to annoy or overwhelm some readers that Drexler goes so far. It bothered me every now and then. Given a century or three, who knows. It's dubious science, as it reaches beyond tested theories, but it is *great* hard science fiction. Plenty of real science, and I found nothing truly erroneous.
If you are looking for something grittier, Drexler's newer books (and work) build on this. For second opinions I recommend Soft Machines and Nanomedicine: basic capabilities - they are more scholarship oriented. Read Engines first: it's hard to put down and it covers so much.
If you are interested in nanotechnology, read this book.
That is all.
...I'm impressed with what the author and his peers have deeply pondered on preventing nanotechnological disasters, either from accident or from conscious intention of some malefactor. When one realizes a technology that can terraform planets can also readily destroy them... and us, one becomes a bit careful in how the technology is handled. The entire Part 3 of Drexler's book, "Engines of Destruction," is devoted to this issue.
...
For my complete review of this book and for other book and movie
reviews, please visit my site [...]
Brian Wright
Copyright 2007
The ideas of molecular construction and deconstruction are truly intriguing and scary. Imagine being disassembled molecule by molecule by a nanoconstructor. Or, the idea of creating a crystal rocket out of pure atoms. This book is full of ideas and potentiality, and the ethical questions are perhaps just the tip of this literary iceberg.
A great read for anyone interested in future technology and how science and technology are fusing on the cutting edge of reality. You don't need to be a quantum physicist or even a PhD to enojy this book. I read it as an undergrad in college and had a good time with it. It even inspired a sci-fi/fantasy book still in progress.
Engines of Creation was written in the eighties, and while the predictions contained therein have not yet come true, nothing has happened in the intervening period in terms of scientific and technological development that would prove Drexler wrong.
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If this is a topic that you have an interest in, or you want to understand how this technology could change the world, then this is where you should start. It will lay the groundwork that will help you make sense of some of the other works out there.







