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The Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V of things

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by Printed Solid, Mar 5, 2013.

  1. Printed Solid

    Printed Solid Volunteer Admin
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    I really like this simple analogy that I stumbled across on a blog. I reblogged the whole thing on my blog at printedsolid.com

    "Imagine a world where we can look at an object, and go, “I want that.”
    Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, wait for a few minutes… congratulations, you now have your own copy.
    Sounds like science fiction?
    Nope!
    The technology to do that is already here! Sure, it is rough around the edges (ability to replicate fine detail), and sure, it only works on exterior surfaces."
     
    #1 Printed Solid, Mar 5, 2013
  2. SPyKER

    SPyKER Active Member

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    The only problem I have with that is that it inherently breeds a culture which lacks creativity.

    Us older guys can tell you about tearing apart a roller skate to make a skateboard. I remember tying rope across the splines of a golf umbrella so it didn't turn inside out and using that to get blown down the street on that skateboard. It's stuff like that which made us who we are today.

    Now, if you can just copy it and have it made, where is the creativity going to come from? The masses are lazy, and given the chance, they will go the easy route.
     
    #2 SPyKER, Mar 12, 2013
    2 people like this.
  3. JDM_

    JDM_ New Member

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    Yes but is a lot of people copy and paste then use creativity to improve what they copied..... Let the games begin!
     
    #3 JDM_, Mar 12, 2013
  4. Printed Solid

    Printed Solid Volunteer Admin
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    I think you're missing the point of the message. I don't see it as a statement that this is the only thing you can do with this technology, its more a starting point to help laypeople understand.

    Have you tried explaining 3D printing to a non-technical person? It's surprisingly difficult. I find that some people get it immediately. They start spouting off ideas of all the different things that they could make. We're probably all in that camp.

    However, when you explain it to some people, they just don't get it at all. When I first ordered my printer, I was surprised every time I would tell someone and get any response other than "wow, that's the coolest thing I can imagine". Shockingly, I even get the 'but, what can you actually do with this' response from some of my engineer friends. I actually had one process engineer who had been (apparently unknowingly) working with SLA parts on a project with me for years ask me that question. This person is a very good process engineer by the way. I was just blown away.

    So, I spend a lot of my time trying to think of really simple ways to explain it to people. To me, the copy and paste thing analogy seems like a good way.
     
    #4 Printed Solid, Mar 12, 2013
  5. Printed Solid

    Printed Solid Volunteer Admin
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    By the way, if anyone has any other simplified explanations, I'd love to hear them.
     
    #5 Printed Solid, Mar 12, 2013

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