While researching NMap and some of Fyodor's articles on tools, I stumbled across an interesting little piece on nanotechnology. While the tagline seems to me a bit like futurists of the 50's thinking cars would fly a decade ago, the inherent risks are still there. The article, titled "I, NANOBOT", comes across more as a techno-goth piece mixing fantasy and the fringes of science. But, underneath the faux- motif lies a serious discussion not being mentioned in mainstream culture: assaults are being made on life at every atomic level. By atomic here I mean at the most fundamental, radical bases. Organic life, much of what we as humans, exist on and with relies on the carbon basis organic chemistry rests on. By trying to find ways to bypass this barrier nanotechologists are challenging the very physical nature of life as we know it.

The consequences of this are largely unforeseen and potentially devistating. Of course, this is a worst case scenario...doomsday highlight, but a realistic glance at where this nanotechnology might cause people to be aware of how science is potentially going to change existence. The author writes, "The fusion of nanotechnology and biotechnology, now called nanobiotechnology, will result in the complete elimination of the barrier between living and nonliving materials" This type of fusion is not the Borgian invasion we envsion via Captain Picard's strugle with the outer space cult of unity. It's not Will Smith takes on outer space with Harry Conick Jr. It's rather our bodies will betray us without us even realizing it because the barriers of defense will be breached at levels imperceptible to ordinary people.

In addition to this major power of the assault "invisible" technology has, even those who could perceive the attack would need an inhuman understanding of biology and all things related to deal with the invasion. Previously attacks on humankind have always been viral or organically based. Dealing with a species of biological intruder that does not play by normal rules suddenly throws traditional medicine out the window. You can't kill something if it doesn't live. So, how do you challenge and eliminate molecular and/or atomic level mechanisms without having to recreate medical and biological approach to well-being and human existence as we currently know it?