Opus 2012-325, The Future Is Sneaking Up on Us
Have you heard about 3D Printing? I talk regularly with a retired businessman who is fascinated with this procedure. If you have never heard about it you might want to Google it and begin to be aware.
3D Printing is also called Additive Manufacturing. It is like something out of Star Trek. You pour the ingredients in one end and out the other comes a custom made product. It puts the object together one layer at a time. It is already being done on components of cars and airplanes. The schools on our district already have some of the machines. They don’t know what they are and let them sit unused but they are available.
Right now it seems the hold up is the cost of materials. As you can imagine what you put in one end must be specially prepared. That will be resolved in time. The dreamers see every home having one of these machines and each day you can produce what you want or need. Need new shoes? Press a few buttons. Need a pen? Find it on the menu. Christmas gifts can be produced at the last minute. It bring new meaning to “The Night Before Christmas.” All that is necessary are the raw materials and the programing.
My concern is the same concern that conspiracy theorists have had about the alleged gasoline engine that gets 300 miles to the gallon. You know the one. It was designed and ready to go but the nasty oil companies kidnapped the inventor, disposed of his body and keep the design hidden because it would lower their profits.
I think this could bring about that scenario in reality.
We have two coercive powers that will fear this machine and I am not talking about Santa Claus and his elves. First, you have the unions. If you can make anything you want in your living room, what happens to all the high paying jobs that used to produce these things? They will want to stop or control this device.
The second is the government. How do you tax something like this? It could destroy the hold the government has on the economy.
Check it out. It is a fascinating advance. The future is already with us. I hope that the free market is allowed to develop this marvel.
homo unius libri
I suspect it 's just one more possible good thing that will be hijacked for evil. I've heard of it; sounds like time that I learn about it.
ReplyDeleteI hear you. I think of how the internet can be such a source of truth and yet it is a cesspool of porn and diseased minds at the same time. Sin is alive and well. We have the antidote, but like the polio vaccine, many will refuse it.
DeleteGrace and peace.