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Nuclear Unicorn

(19,497 posts) Mon Mar 25, 2013, 12:34 PM Mar 2013

Hubby made an observation about 3-D printers [View all]

We were supposed to go shooting this weekend but the snow storm that hit our area prevented that. So, while it was fresh in ourminds we were discussing gun control laws and the effect 3-D printers would have in making things like magazine bans impotent. Then, in mid-conversation, he says that 3-D printers were the world that both Marx and Adam Smith were looking forward to.

He said Marx wanted the workers to possess the means of production so they couldn't be held economically captive while Smith promulgated the free market to foster competition, lower prices and better goods. He said with 3-D printers both men get what they wanted and the worker/consumer is the person who will be better off for it.

Not that I feel the need to but I can't think of an argument against this.

105 replies

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Hubby made an observation about 3-D printers [View all] Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 OP

I won't feel free until I have a backpack nuke production line in my basement. nt onehandle Mar 2013 #1

What does that have to do with economic theories? Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #3

It's more about the kneejerk fear of 3D printers people have been trained to exhibit. Posteritatis Mar 2013 #51

Storing radioactive material at home has its downsides. DetlefK Mar 2013 #4

In your scenario how to you obtain and handle the fissionable materials? Can't print them up in your Bluenorthwest Mar 2013 #67

Those who 3D print parts will have to have casting facilities also. Mika Mar 2013 #2

I'm not talking about gun parts Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #5

It also has great theKed Mar 2013 #14

No, not veering off-topic Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #15

It'ss my opinion that theKed Mar 2013 #18

"a printer it could be priced ot of the hands of the masses with no real way to stop it" Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #29

The costs of 3D printers have been plummeting, not rising, for years now. (nt) Posteritatis Mar 2013 #87

Because the designs are theKed Mar 2013 #91

If just about everyone had a printer Politicalboi Mar 2013 #26

*If* just about everyone had a printer Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #31

and yet the guys who made this gun with 3D printing didn't need metal casting.... TeamPooka Mar 2013 #6

lol. Yes they do. Mika Mar 2013 #7

lol. No they don't. DesMoinesDem Mar 2013 #42

They only made the lower receiver. Clames Mar 2013 #45

Yes, I know. Mika thinks the lower receiver they made was cast in metal. DesMoinesDem Mar 2013 #46

That's not quite how I interpreted that post. n/t Clames Mar 2013 #92

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) Overview Mika Mar 2013 #8

You can print an all-plastic magazine kudzu22 Mar 2013 #9

The World of Abundance is not something we have an economics for yet Recursion Mar 2013 #10

But this strikes me as first tangible step of that journey Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #11

Iain Banks, in his "The Culture" books, pointed out... Lizzie Poppet Mar 2013 #36

There may not be an argument against that idea The2ndWheel Mar 2013 #12

Maybe Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #13

Well, yeah, sure, there's always that The2ndWheel Mar 2013 #21

I dig what you're saying. It's a sort of Rorshach test of one's ethics and morality. Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #28

Don't think they can weave cloth and that is one of humanities major Cleita Mar 2013 #16

Well, I'm sure as technology makes more of the means of production available to more people Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #17

I think you could probably make a loom on one considering the Cleita Mar 2013 #72

My thoughts on the 3-D printer are that it is a shame timdog44 Mar 2013 #19

I Agree, The First Thought About What It Shold Be Used For Should Be Porn Skraxx Mar 2013 #20

Nice to have timdog44 Mar 2013 #23

Happy To Oblige Skraxx Mar 2013 #25

I tried. Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #33

I know. timdog44 Mar 2013 #34

Thank-you Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #40

lol Dash87 Mar 2013 #88

Asimov's first law of robotics in his novels Recursion Mar 2013 #41

Sadly. timdog44 Mar 2013 #48

that was my first concern too, but there is a lot of good potential... Blue_Tires Mar 2013 #47

I have followed 3D printing timdog44 Mar 2013 #50

Here's an article on that, with links to others Posteritatis Mar 2013 #61

Thank you. timdog44 Mar 2013 #69

Mostly because people are making the technology about the gun nutbars Posteritatis Mar 2013 #59

Most people I see dragging the discussion to weapons are people afraid of the printers. Posteritatis Mar 2013 #54

I think a lot of the people who drag weapons into the fray timdog44 Mar 2013 #56

My specific use is selfish. timdog44 Mar 2013 #70

Might be surprised. I watched a guy tie shoes with a robotic hand the other day. Posteritatis Mar 2013 #76

It truly is amazing. timdog44 Mar 2013 #77

Except you will be a criminal XRubicon Mar 2013 #22

What law would you be breaking? Recursion Mar 2013 #30

OP stated magazine bans will be impotent against 3d printers XRubicon Mar 2013 #32

The ban as currently countenanced doesn't outlaw their possession or home manufacture Recursion Mar 2013 #35

I guess you win... lol XRubicon Mar 2013 #62

Was waiting for someone else to get it. Ikonoklast Mar 2013 #38

Good grief. If you're so concerned about the gun implications then Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #43

Things made in 3d printers are much more expensive XRubicon Mar 2013 #71

Once upon a time computers were pretty crappy too. Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #73

Yes, because of mass production and advances in materials XRubicon Mar 2013 #81

You are, of course, correct but there's no reason to assume that same factor Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #82

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar and I have skirted all efforts to make this a 2A discussion. Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #39

Are you saying it's illegal to make *anything* at home? (nt) Posteritatis Mar 2013 #53

Just stuff that is illegal... XRubicon Mar 2013 #58

You seem to think "stuff that is illegal" is the main sort of thing these are designed to make. (nt) Posteritatis Mar 2013 #60

What can you make of at least equal quality cheaper than traditional method? XRubicon Mar 2013 #63

Pretty much anything I want made to my own specifications, for starters. Posteritatis Mar 2013 #64

This custom anything will be limited to a few materials and size will be restricted XRubicon Mar 2013 #68

Custom car shops are going to have a field day with those things AngryAmish Mar 2013 #24

Why didn't 2D printers do that to currency? jberryhill Mar 2013 #27

Well, they did, actually, so Treasury had to come up with new bills that are harder to fake Recursion Mar 2013 #37

If I can make a small request Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #44

Fair enough. How about drugs? Recursion Mar 2013 #49

The only places I've heard regular talk about those are FUD-laden news editorials Posteritatis Mar 2013 #57

I would like to focus on legitimate purposes Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #66

unfortunately, you can't unpress the gun button around here. unblock Mar 2013 #52

I think we already do own "the means of production." hunter Mar 2013 #55

mostly we don't.... mike_c Mar 2013 #74

Every corporation operating within the USA is a subsidiary of USA incorporated. hunter Mar 2013 #98

3-D Printing is Good for Custom Parts On the Road Mar 2013 #65

"I do like the idea of comparing developments to both Marxism and capitalism." Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #75

Overstated. lumberjack_jeff Mar 2013 #78

Factories can't produce food either Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #84

Real estate is the means of food production. lumberjack_jeff Mar 2013 #99

Food production is not the sole industry of human society -- because of technology Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #101

It'll fuel creativity, but it won't decentralize production. lumberjack_jeff Mar 2013 #104

3D printing started a long time ago. Old and In the Way Mar 2013 #79

I like the idea GiveMeFreedom Mar 2013 #80

unless you can print oil on them d_r Mar 2013 #83

Um...no thanks PopeOxycontinI Mar 2013 #85

As I noted up-thread Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #89

There's architects working on printable housing right now, actually. Posteritatis Mar 2013 #90

Preach it! Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2013 #93

Good thing you are wrong about this technology. Clames Mar 2013 #94

Oh, then maybe I'm wrong... PopeOxycontinI Mar 2013 #100

No, it'll create lots of jobs rather. Clames Mar 2013 #102

Sorry, I just don't buy it. PopeOxycontinI Mar 2013 #103

As of now, 3D printing lets the average person MineralMan Mar 2013 #86

I beg to disagree. timdog44 Mar 2013 #95

I've been following it all along. MineralMan Mar 2013 #105

Hate to break it to you Mopar151 Mar 2013 #96

Thank you for an interesting timdog44 Mar 2013 #97