Nanotechnology: The Future of Everything

Nanotechnology is moving from the realm of science fiction to reality, and in the process, these tiny technologies are offering giant opportunities.

Credits:
Nanotechnology: The Future of Everything
Episode 481a; January 12, 2025
Produced, Narrated & Written: Isaac Arthur
Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images
Stellardrone, "In Time", "Red Giant"
Aerium, featuring Sieger, "Deiljocht"

[JamesDuckettAuthor]

I love how casually Isaac says he's going to explain string theory next week.

[tantanthespaceman]

I have a kid so I watch these videos during her naps! I just wanna let you know that you speak perfectly clear even at 2X speed!

[addisonchow]

Nanomachines son they harden in response to physical trauma!

[deathsyth]

"Nanomachines!"
- Every Metal Gear game chronologically since 'Metal Gear Solid'

[DeltaVTX]

Ok maybe just a little snack and tiny drink

[MrRolnicek]

On the topic of mutation: The idea that a damaged or mutated nanomachine would replicate uncontrollably is a problem that can be avoided entirely.
This is a problem of evolved life that exists by necesity. Evolution wouldn't work (in non-sexual reproduction) without mutation but with that mutation comes the risk of cancer.
But nanotechnology is not evolved and does not need to follow the same rules. We have developed information theory and as such we have methods to eliminate the risk of copying errors completely, make them statistically impossible to happen.
One simple method is requiring 3 existing entities as a template for creating a new one which would already make copying errors (as well as evolution) basically impossible.
The use of checksums alone could be more than sufficient for this task actually.

[Seventeen_Syllables]

Disappointment is a common outcome. How would you feel if the first major consumer application of nanotechnology turns out to be a dishwashing machine that really gets all that grime out at the molecular level?

[NovoCognition]

Nanotech is indeed one of the technologies I'm most hopeful for and optimistic about.
One can wonder about the great innovations that shall arise from it for Humanity in the next 10-to-20 years.

[paperburn]

Nanobot will bring forth the Technomage.

[TheWhiteWolf]

You Mechs may have copper wiring to reroute your fear of pain, but I’ve got nerves of steel.

[Foogi]

Nanotechnology is genuinely so important in terms of the evolution of us as a species.

[DaremoTen]

Dude! Doom 2099 is so under rated! It was easily the best of the 2099 series, followed by Ghost Rider 2099.

[carlcramer]

For a literary depiction of nanotech, I recommend Adam Warren's Dirty Pair comics.

[Minooka]

To all the first people to comment. Congratulations, these will be the days and stories you’ll share forever

[OneCutSlash]

11:25 is Isaac telling us he aspires to be a mad scientist 🤔

[LeeKennedy-ccil]

A combination of nanotechnology and quantum mechanics ( with subsequent technology derived from quantum physics) will enable us to do much.

[MattFreemanPhD]

Drexler recently pointed out that all our computer chips are “nanotechnology” in the sense of relying on nanoscale engineering.

[lordk.gaimiz]

I really hope to live long enough to see nanotechnology advance to the level you speak of and i also hope to be healthy enough that it can still help me ^^

[TheRezro]

To be clear. At least from TNG, ships are largely replicated. Galaxy has industrial replicator, allowing it large scale repairs without returning to the shipyard. Teleporters in fact scan and remove microbes during the process. Problems usually occur when they can't detect specific cases. So a lot of that is in the lore. TV shows themselves just fail to address many issues.

[ianbaird]

"couldn't make a diamond out of regular garbage" I would ask how much carbon is in the plastic in that garbage.