Chief nanobottite Chris Phoenix of the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology and now the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies is back from holiday and he’s on the warpath.

As if those infernal scientists hijacking the term nanotechnology, grabbing all the funding and then chuckling into their sparkling new labware about the viability of Drexlerian nanobots wasn’t enough, someone now has had the temerity to make a rather popular video detailing how to destroy the world using nanobots.

Gah! Imagine the frustration after promoting the concept of nanobots and pondering their ethics for fifteen years just to see your entire life’s work ridiculed by a viral video. It’s enough to make you choke on your morning respirocytes.

The nanobottites rather po-faced conclusion is that “While this video may scare the uninformed, perhaps the actual discussion of molecular manufacturing will emerge stronger and more sensible than before.”

Somehow I doubt it, we’re all too busy rolling on the floor clutching our sides and then we’ll be getting on with something sensible.