But another side of Drexler is his broad interest in other technologies and ideas. For example, prediction markets (in particular, the Foresight Exchange) were encouraged by Drexler and associates. One example of this was a impromptu conference he had organized for discussing some theoretical details of what became the Defense Department’s Policy Analysis Market.

As far as I’m concerned, he has a solid reputation even if I don’t drink the same brand of kool-aid. I have a similar respect for Smalley, though I think it’s a bad idea to attempt to prove something is “impossible” at this stage.

That can’t be said for some of the new squatters in the recent nanotech gold rush. I sense there are a number of people looking to leech all meaning from this field (especially its buzzwords) for profit. Hence, the nanotech paints, pants, and other such things. They need to marginalize those who want to build actual technology and advances such as Drexler. That’s the way to control thought on the subject. Discredit rival authorities.