Off the Cuff / My Other Journal

Nanotechnology...did anyone say risky?

Someone told me they are going to publish an article in "Nature" this week called "Safe Handling of Nanotechnology." The article will be about theoretical risks of working with tiny particles. A nanometer is a billionth of a meter, btw.

Little things do not scare me, except for nasty bacteria and deadly viruses. But that is not what they mean, and I am grateful for any technology that is ready for me to use, as long as there are people around who know more than me, so I don't mess up too much.

Only forget about it when it comes to me working with--or is it "on"?--nanoscale. I have enough problems understanding any technology, but I can enjoy the results of the younger generation's work, especially when it comes to computers and internet.

And if I wanted to be too safe, I wouldn't ever touch a computer...for mental health purposes to start with, but then, that lure has hooked me, especially after discovering Writing.com.

When it comes to "real" nature, however, I like the tame kind. You'll never see me on a safari or inside a lion's cage. Heaven forbid that I come face to face with an alligator...although I live in Florida and more dangerous things in human form may lurk around any corner anywhere.

So I guess, manmade nature suits me better, since I enjoy having my creature comforts.

Thus, taking this opportunity, I'd like to give my thanks for the younger generations who, so unselfishly, put themselves at risk by fooling around with things delightful yet alien to me like computers, programming, and nanotechnology.