Thoughts on 3D Printing
February 6, 20143d printing is one of those breakout fields that has the potential to really change the world.
Looking at modern history, there are only so many innovations that really changed how people lived their lives. They’re things we take for granted now. Off the top of my head:
- automobiles
- radio
- photography
- motion pictures and movies
- television
- mass production
- telephones
- mobile telephones
- antibiotics
- flight
- space flight
- computers
- the Internet
- organ transplants
- DNA sequencing
This, purposefully, is ignoring the various advancements within each of these categories (and is certainly ignoring many medical advancements I’m ignorant of), but instead is focusing on paradigm-shifting changes.
All of these industries and advancements changed how we lived or live our lives, most destroying or disrupting existing industries.
3d printing is set to do the same.
Each of those industries is still top heavy. They’re still businesses selling or distributing to consumers. The Internet started to change that in a lot of ways. Consumers have been given a power they never had before. They were given access to research, their own means of distribution, and an ability to easily communicate about products.
3d printing will give them the ability to create their own products.
3d printing is going to destroy businesses. It’s going to destroy industries.
That’s why it’s scary.
That’s why it’s a good idea.
