Both natural and social scientists describe the relationship between nature and nanotechnology in a range of different ways. Each of these descriptions can be understood as a type of narrative — a story that begins with particular presuppositions and ends in support for particular areas of nanotechnology development. Although these narratives are different in many ways, each is usually told as a matter of fact, as a simple description of the way things are. Unfortunately, this often masks the beliefs that underlie each of the different narratives and the research directions in which they tend to lead.

By establishing a conceptual framework that categorizes the range of narratives that are used to describe the relationship between nature and nanotechnology, including the preferences and presuppositions embedded in each of these narratives, I hope that this article will contribute to more informed discussion and deliberation on the directions in which nanotechnology is moving. With this in mind, I want to tell you a story. Actually, I want to tell you nine stories — nine narratives of nature and nanotechnology that I have heard from scientists working in the field.

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