Editing Richard Smalley (section)

===Dispute on molecular assemblers===
{{main|Drexler–Smalley debate on molecular nanotechnology}}

He was an outspoken [[Scientific scepticism|skeptic]] of the idea of [[molecular assembler]]s, as advocated by [[K. Eric Drexler]]. His main scientific objections, which he termed the "fat fingers problem" and the "sticky fingers problem", argued against the feasibility of molecular assemblers being able to precisely select and place individual atoms. He also believed that Drexler's speculations about [[Gray goo|apocalyptic dangers of molecular assemblers]] threatened the public support for development of nanotechnology.<ref name="Ford">{{cite book|last1=Ford|first1=Martin|title=Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future|date=2015|publisher=Oneworld Publications|pages=240–241|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hB1fCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT168|isbn=978-1-78074-750-7}}</ref>  He debated Drexler in an exchange of letters which were published in ''[[Chemical & Engineering News]]'' as a point-counterpoint feature.<ref name="Baum">{{cite journal|last1=Baum|first1=Rudy|title=Nanotechnology: Drexler and Smalley make the case for and against 'molecular assemblers'|journal=Chemical & Engineering News|date=December 1, 2003|volume=81|issue=48|pages=37–42|url=http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/8148/8148counterpoint.html|access-date=July 18, 2016|doi=10.1021/cen-v081n048.p037}}</ref>