Actually, please don't necessarily defer to me on this. I'm still smarting from many years ago predicting that "computer viruses were all just a bunch of hype". :(
However, we in the US have a rich history of hyping technology advances that never live up to their promise, and I must say that before I am an engineer I am a cynic.
Boy, you're right about that! When I see some of the predictions about the future that have been made in the past, they always seem so naive -- if not so completely wrong, lol.
Here's hoping the promise of nanotech fairs better. If it doesn't, I'm sure something even better and more wonderful will come along. :-)