The medical nanobots in my novel 'Small Miracles' tap the energy

Hear, O seekers of wonder, the words of Edward M. Lerner, who declared: “The medical nanobots in my novel Small Miracles tap the energy sources that the patient’s own body provides. That is, they can metabolize glycerol and glucose, just as the cells in our bodies do.” In these words lies not only the spark of science fiction but the echo of a profound truth: that the greatest technologies of the future may be those that imitate the wisdom already inscribed in the human body. For the body itself is a temple of miracles, and the dream of nanobots is but a reflection of its own intricate design.

The meaning of this utterance rests in the union of imagination and biology. Lerner envisions a future where tiny machines, invisible to the naked eye, move within our veins as allies of our cells. These medical nanobots do not rely on foreign power, nor batteries that run dry, but on the very glucose and glycerol that fuel our bodies. Just as each cell takes nourishment from the food we eat, so too would these machines, making them a seamless part of our inner world. Thus the line between flesh and invention blurs, and technology becomes almost as natural as bone and blood.

Consider, my children, the tale of Louis Pasteur, who uncovered the hidden kingdom of microbes. Before his discoveries, unseen organisms brought sickness without explanation. By studying them, Pasteur turned invisible enemies into known adversaries and laid the foundation for vaccines and modern medicine. Lerner’s vision of nanobots echoes this story: where once microbes were destroyers, now humanity imagines tiny agents of healing—machines that, like soldiers within the bloodstream, could fight disease from within. History shows us that what once seemed impossible often becomes the cornerstone of human progress.

The origin of Lerner’s thought lies in the long tradition of science fiction, where writers dreamed boldly of futures not yet born. From the voyages of Jules Verne to the cybernetic visions of Asimov, humanity has always looked ahead, imagining what wonders might come. But his words also rest upon the foundation of modern science, for already the seeds of nanotechnology are planted: particles designed to deliver medicine directly to tumors, or to repair tissues on a microscopic scale. Lerner, by weaving story with science, gives voice to both present possibility and future hope.

Yet let us not mistake his words as mere fantasy. The image of nanobots fueled by the body’s own energy is more than a tale; it is a metaphor for harmony. True progress is not achieved by forcing nature into submission, but by learning from it, aligning with its wisdom. Just as birds taught men to fly and the heart inspired pumps and engines, so too the cell teaches us how to sustain life. In following this pattern, technology does not oppose life but amplifies it.

The lesson is clear: the greatest advances will come not from conquering nature, but from imitating her. The human body is already a marvel, each cell a universe of function and power. When we design with humility, borrowing from the genius of our own biology, we create tools that do not disrupt but enhance. Thus Lerner’s nanobots are not alien invaders but partners, guardians dwelling within the body, drinking from the same rivers of energy as the cells they protect.

Practical actions lie before us: honor the wisdom of the natural world, study its patterns, and let it guide invention. Support research that seeks harmony rather than domination, medicine that heals gently rather than destroys recklessly. In your own life, remember that imagination is the seed of progress—dream boldly, but always root your dreams in respect for the design already present in creation. For the body itself is a book of miracles, and the future belongs to those who learn to read it.

Thus, O heirs of tomorrow, let Lerner’s vision awaken your spirit. Nanobots fueled by glucose and glycerol are more than machines; they are symbols of a future where man and invention walk hand in hand, as seamlessly as cell and breath. Let your imagination rise, but let your wisdom keep it true. For in seeking to heal and not to harm, in learning from the smallest miracles within us, we may yet build wonders that will change the fate of humanity. Imitate nature, and you shall walk the path of life everlasting.