November 10th, 2014

“You can use evolutionary algorithms in the sim and come up with really efficient designs, in theory. And computers are cheaper than engineers.” “Is that why you were laid off?” Suzanna said. (Doctorow, 73)

What would be the implications of 3D printing becoming a ‘transparent’ tool or ‘second nature’?; Is the Question I posed to some of my classmates.

I was particularly interested in Sara Redden answer. “Masses of shit. It would become abused. Just as much as it would be used for good, it will be abused.”

I believe that it is very well possible that if the 3D printer becomes a ‘second nature’ tool in the majority of the population, that it will become abused. And I don’t think it is a matter of if but when this happens. Lipson and Kurman state in Frabricated, “In the not-so-distant future, people will 3D print living tissue, nutritionally calibrated food, and ready-made, fully assembled electronic components.” (7)

So as we move in to this transition of change, We need to do so with caution.