Cuba and Molecules That Walk

Dmitri Prieto

Some chemical-nanotechnology scientists succeeded in producing a molecule that “walks,” according to what I read recently in a BBC news report.

Powered by electricity, the molecule is able to walk along a metallic sheet, with the current provided through an ultra-fine metallic wire whose thickness is a mere atom at its tip.

This constitutes the first molecular-sized electric motor ever created by human intelligence.

In nature, there are plenty of motors of this type: from the flagellum that put microorganisms in motion, to our very own muscles.

The nervous system also possesses several molecular motors that operate within its distinct cellular components.

I was struck then by an astounding idea: Moving large masses, including humans, as being synonymous with moving their molecules. Almost everything we have on this planet is made up of molecules and atoms.

If a society stagnates, we could solve the problem by directly connecting ultra-fine metallic wires to the brains of people (as mentioned, their thickness is only that of an atom).

I imagine that such fine wire wouldn’t interfere too much with the normal functions of the brain or the tissue that surround it.

The wires would then send electrical impulses directly to the brain at this molecular level, putting into movement the cellular components of individuals and all of society.

A group of competent intellectuals would establish the sequence of the impulses, advised by powerful computers and qualified nano-technologists.

In this way, we could finally solve the problem of “changing people’s mentality,” a popular term these days in Cuba.

The country would change. People would begin working and we’d see the disappearance of corruption, ignorance and authoritarianism, even in their most vile forms.

Instead of reggaeton, we would listen to Stravinsky.

Nevertheless, the US blockade would probably prevent us from acquiring this indispensable technology that would allow each of our molecules to take their first steps.