Most often, the research dollars pouring into the development of nanotechnology and nanoscience are justified by underscoring the likely social benefits the final outcomes of research are aimed at producing – whether they relate to public health, better living, safety or whatever. But, not surprisingly, nanotechnology is already beginning to produce luxuries, which possess little or no social benefits and exist purely as a useless means toward reaping corporate profits.
Researchers at Victoria University in Wellington unveiled a tremendous technological advancement to the world last week at the Nano Science and Technology Institute convention: gold nanoparticles clothing dyes.
Yes, you heard me right, clothing dyes with no advantage over existing dyes other than intense brightness, possible health hazards, exponentially higher prices and, of course, the ability of the consumer to say, “I am wearing a sweater of gold.”
What has made this possible? Corporate partnership with Victoria University research projects and, of course, New Zealand taxpayers have helped make this a reality, according to Stuff.co.nz: “The Wellington researchers are part of the university's MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials & Nanotechnology, which was last year given taxpayer funding over six years of $39.1 million for operational spending and $9.8 million for capital works.”
Is this really an appropriate use of taxpayer money? Is this really an appropriate avenue down which nanotechnology and nanoscience should be traveling?
Well, from the capitalistic perspective, this should be expected and not reviled. If this technology exists and consumers are situated such that they demand and can afford such luxuries, then perhaps there is no reason to object to such applications of nanotechnology.
There is, however, a disturbing alliance between the government and the clothing designers who are likely to profit from these developments, which, clearly, are a product of public investment.
Furthermore, there is the more broad concern that while our civilization is teetering on the brink of the catastrophe of not being able to supply enough energy to prevent collapse – once peak oil hits – that publicly-funded research is going into the production of luxuries rather than technological solutions to the crisis.
Please let them know what you think (especially if you live in New Zealand): http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4585439a28.html.
Also visit Victoria University’s Web site: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/home/default.aspx.
(For more about Peak Oil visit: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/industries/energy/stories/050508dnbusoilsidebar.3b519e7.html; the Saudis – who we should expect to be disingenuously optimistic – predict oil will reach its production peak in 2037, which is still dangerously close).
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