Sorry this took so long to get out to everyone! The first two topics kind of ame out one after the other, and I got pressured by other workloads and wasn't able to keep that standard. So from now on, Im going to be releasing these Topics Every Wednesday! Sounds like a cool slogan or something. So, now that that announcement is made, lets get down to business!

So on my Organization thread the request came up about 3D printing. Perhaps it wasn't really a request, but It got me thinking, and I did a little bit o research. Im going to share what Ive learned with you, because there is some really frighteningly awesome stuff out there when it comes to 3D printing.

First off, the whole idea of model printers has been around for a long time. The concept was thought of in the late 50s in one of the many Futurist movements. It wasn't until recently that the technology became compact enough to reach a public market. Now desktop laser cutters, CNC mills, and Extrusion machines all are available to the public, bringing manufacturing right into your office. And, thanks to the rise of computers and free distribution of software, it is now possible to create - anything - right in your house. Websites like thingiverse literally distribute objects that you can just download right onto your computer and print. If I wanted, I could just go online, find a 3D model of Pinkie Pie, and BANG a little piece of Equestrian is now in my home. I could literally, email you a spoon. If that doesn't blow your mind I dont know what does.

This all really sounds like science fiction, but it exists. Today even. If we can print anything from Lego bricks to car parts in our homes now, what does the future hold, and how could this device change the way we live?

Lets start with where this device is going, because it is more certain than some of the more interesting and controversial subject matter that should be addressed later. As of right now, right at this moment, Scientists and doctors are working together to create Bio-Printers. Say you need a heart transplant or you drank yourself shifted and now you need a new liver or kidney, In the near future, doctors will be able to take YOUR genetic code and print you a brand new heart or liver or kidney. This technology sounds insane, but it is being worked on right now. Food companies are even looking into the technology so that you can print meats and edibles. Imagine just being able to print out bacon. The internet would rejoice!

Some of these technologies involve the use of stem cells, this is something that will most likely not be an issue in the future, considering the positives outweigh the negatives of the introduction of the technology. This is one minor controversy of the 3D printer, but what if I told you that the world could soon have to restructure its governments because of the 3D printer?

Recently there were some issues that involved 3D printing and corporation copyrights. If you are unfamiliar with Games Workshop's Warhammer, I suggest you look at their website, and see how awesomely expensive all of their awesomeness is. But because that it is cheaper to print 50 dollar models at home for under 5 dollars, hobbyists did just that. Games Workshop filed a law suit because their intellectual property was being stolen. But the question is... by who? If people just make a 3D model thats fine, but once it is distributed and downloaded how do you monitor that? Now before I jump ahead of myself and suggest that 3D printers are going to usher in some sort of Marxist Communism, allow me to blow your minds further. Thats right. there is Moar!

In Australia, hobbyists in possession of 3D printers have been printing weapons. Defense Distributed has 3D models of ACRs. Working ACRs that can be printed right at home. This goes against Australian Gun control laws, so naturally, something needed to be done. But once again, there is no one specific person that can be nailed down for distributing guns over the internet, and once these files are out there, there is no getting them back. It is now possible for armed revolutions to be staged on literal home fronts; Liberty could be yours at the click of a button.

So what do you guys think of 3D printers? Would you own one, and what would be the first thing you made? Post in the comments below and as always, brohoofs to you guys!