[Eric]

Originally Posted by Guinness

I know this is a tech thing and could be put in the tech forum, but I'm more interested in the ramifications than the actual tech stuff...

So the new technology thats about to break big time is the 3D printer...at the moment its kinda pricey and you need to be a real tecchie to put one together and you can only create plastic stuff.

It's the Star Trek replicator.

If you're a rich tecchie train set nerd..you can already print your own signal boxes, stations and trees to paint. You can already print guns if you fancy yourself as a wannabee terrorist.

They are already working on the version that prints 3D metals. The very near future...create your own iphone, ipod, ipad, laptop...self replicate the actual printer you are using.

If I was younger I'd be kinda scared...this one invention has the potential to make the industrial revolution look like a playground fight. The job losses will be astronomical...

Download the pattern from Amazon and print off a complete crockery and cutlery set, it's Christmas..just print off the PS28 or Xbox34 for the kids and a Spectrum 48k for Great Grandad, (to bore the crud out of you about playing Manic Miner, PEEKs and POKEs and something called a cassette), TV on the fritz, download the pattern and print a new one, flat battery on the motor, print one off. At first the patterns will be expensive and one time use, but some bright nerdy kid, yet to be born, sat in a darkened back room will create something that will enable everyone to do it as many times as they want for a few quid.

I'm not a doomsayer, but personally I think this thing is an economic timebomb.

I started a thread in "Questions and Anwers" .... "Is there such a thing ..." It concerns the upcoming Technological Singularity.