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PBS
PBS Off Book
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Will 3D Printing Change the World?
American public service broadcaster PBS have produced an eight-minute feature called “Will 3D Printing Change the World?” for Off Book web series dedicated to emerging tech.
The feature includes interviews with industry leaders; Sam Cervantes of Solidoodle, Carine Carmy of Shapeways, Michael Weinberg of Public Knowledge and Joseph Flaherty of Wired. Although there may seem like there’s nothing new in the documentary it is nice to get four such industry experts discussing a topic each in the one place, creating a balanced and informed view on the tech.
Some interesting points are raised particularly by Carine Carmy, who discusses how 3D printing could shape the economy “Usually to take a product to market takes a year, you have to find funding then the manufacturer, 3D printing will force us to change how we think about buying products and how they are made”.
Michael Weinberg goes on to suggest that companies with products who are worried about copyright need to learn from the mistakes made by the music industry with Napster and co. and embrace this new technology rather than run scared from it.
It’s up to Joseph Flaherty to get us excited though as he discusses the potentials of 3D printing including the plans to print parts of the Great Barrier Reef to enable it to grow back naturally. Fascinating stuff, watch the video.
What do you think? Do you think 3D printing has the ability to change the world or is it just another technology fad? Tell us below.
