The Guardian asked 250 scientists What is the one thing everyone should learn about science? and naturally nanotechnology gets a tangential mention.
Eric Drexler inventor of the term ‘nanotechnology (!) suggests that Physical technology evolves towards limits set by physical law, and a technology approaching the limits set by physical law must build with atomic precision. Molecular machinery provides a way to accomplish this.
In contrast Harry Kroto (co discover of fullerenes) takes on the Kabbalists and other purveyors of pseudoscientific mysticism with The methods of science are manifestly effective, having made massive humanitarian contributions to society. It is this very effectiveness which the purveyors of mystical philosophies attack, because they recognise in it the chief threat to the belief-based source of their power and financial reward.
The last word goes to Nobel Physics Laureate Gerardus ‘t Hooft of Utrecht University who deflates some of the preceding pomp with the humble opinion:
Is it really true that the world wants to hear only one thing about science? And then continue after that, with its ongoing religious, superstitious and political disputes? Maybe the world wants to hear only one thing from me. What could that be? All the important things that the world has already heard from my colleagues might be incomplete my colleagues may have forgotten to tell the world something. What could that be? I do not know.