Meanderings on the new Nanotechnology.com

Building a new nanotechnology.com has been challenging and fun, but for the emerging and dynamic small technology "industry" it represents a giant leap forward. The community needs rational central network to allow for the creation of facile and useful relationships, and the world outside the nanotech community needs a sharp, concise, approachable center to interact with and from which to learn and make contacts.

Yesterday one of the most famous names in US nanotechnology informed me that we could not count on his team for ANY content, a reasonable business decision based on their high-end consulting model. Of course they need help promoting some of their businesses (conferences and newsletters, and we will help, because they do a great job), but even though I suggested they delay release of their work on our site for 2-4 months so as not to dilute their value to their paying clientele, they stood fast.

These are smart guys, but this train is leaving and we have more than enough content committed to make nanotechnology.com the center of the nanotechnology world and the foremost destination site in the "space." In fact, except for folks who give advice for a living, it's hard for me to imagine who would need more than what will be on our site over the next few months.

Isolationism will not benefit folks in this industry. We're trying to be ecumenical without catering to the nut cases. Everyone who joins us will benefit. Those who don't, won't.

Look, the world only needs one good nanotechnology.com.

We can agree to disagree: Maybe you think molecular machines are a pipe dream; maybe I think they're 10 years out. You think nano-based computer memory is 5 years away; I think it's 15. You think government grants are socialism; I think the world of them. I like the Foresight Foundation; you like the NanoBusiness Alliance. I'm a nanotechnology purist; you include MEMs, microfluidics and microelectronics. You think APPX is a nanotech company; I think it's a biotech company. yada yada yada

Scientific and technical communities abound. Business and industry associations exist. There is much news and opinion. There are even competent interviewers and interesting bloggers. But it is so scattered, and it is almost ALL of so little use to investors and others who want to participate in the revolution, but don't have a ticket. NANOTECHNOLOGY.COM IS THAT TICKET.