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A thought about printing
May. 1st, 2013 08:35 pmWhenever I see people online talking about 3D printing, the question always comes up: "once you print enough toy soldiers, won't you get bored with it?"
I think I finally have an answer to that.
I think a printer is like a computer was in the late 70s / early 80s: "I think there is a world market for about five computers" (although the quote is actually apocryphal). You don't need the ability to manufacture custom parts in your bedroom in order to live your life the way you have it now, but you wouldn't have needed a personal computer in order to live your life the way you would have in 1981 either. Having a printer doesn't fix a problem you have, rather it gives you an ability you didn't have before.
So my answer is, sure, you'll get bored with having a printer, if you are a boring person. If you have an imagination you'll think of plenty of new uses for it.
I think I finally have an answer to that.
I think a printer is like a computer was in the late 70s / early 80s: "I think there is a world market for about five computers" (although the quote is actually apocryphal). You don't need the ability to manufacture custom parts in your bedroom in order to live your life the way you have it now, but you wouldn't have needed a personal computer in order to live your life the way you would have in 1981 either. Having a printer doesn't fix a problem you have, rather it gives you an ability you didn't have before.
So my answer is, sure, you'll get bored with having a printer, if you are a boring person. If you have an imagination you'll think of plenty of new uses for it.
