Nano-technology is an interesting subject for great speculation. It's interesting to me that several reviewers were so annoyed with Stubbs' character flaws that they said he ruined the episode. The guy has devoted his entire life to this one event and may be cheated out of it because Wesley Crusher has lost control of another of his science experiments. Granted, he takes matters into his own hands after Picard has put the kebosh on doing in the little buggers. But there seems to be little animus over Mr. Crusher's outrageous experimentation that could take the lives of the entire crew and destroy the ship. For me, this would be the end of any immediate roadway to the Starfleet Academy. He may just be a kid, but he has intellectual powers that are handled in a slipshod, careless way. Whether these microscopic things are a life form is open to discussion. If your car parts act in concert with each other and your modern flywheel arrangement is able to adapt to changes in need, is your car now a lifeform. I'm with Stubbs on this one. Besides, many geniuses are eccentric and he is sanctioned by the powers that be. If he forced Picard's hand (as well as Momma Crusher's annoying concerns) then it may be he that saved the ship.
