Drexlerian nanotech

[Rynn]

Let me clarify, then. By "drexlerian nanotech" I mean not things derived from Drexler's ideas, but those ideas themselves. Which, as I understand it, is exactly the individual nanoscale robots operating independently that you mentioned, often in an uncontrolled environment. However, my knowledge of his work comes entirely from Engines of Creation, so I suspect that my idea of it is quite incomplete. Anyway, you must understand that [i]I wholeheartedly agree with the idea of an OA nanofab, and I am simply pointing out that Drexler's original work, and by extension most depictions of nanotech, do not incorporate these ideas.

I read Engines in my early teens so I really don't remember much of it but...really? He only talked about nanobots operating in the wild? Regardless I don't agree that "most depictions of nanotech do not incorporate these ideas". Sure a lot of science fiction concerns nanobots but usually in an environment that is appropriate for them, such as for medical purposes. I can't think of any examples off of the top of my head in which swarms of nanobots act as a fab.

(note that I don't think Grey goo as originally conceived makes sense, a universal easter is orders of magnitude more complicated than a single self replicating breed. Drexler also discussed this after his original publication).

Oops