MakerBot Thing-O-Matic

Is it wrong that I’m more freaked out than excited about 3D printing?
A rapid prototyping machine used to cost tens of thousands of pounds. Now you can get a Thing-O-Matic from MakerBot for £800 and have your own desktop version.

Of course the technology is amazing - I’m always breaking my glasses, imagine just being able to print out a new part for them in my kitchen. But I can also imagine a not-too-distant future where you don’t need shops any more, just print out whatever you need. I’m not sure that’s a good thing.

I’m at college at the moment studying furniture making and one of the reasons for choosing this (apart from a mid-life crisis) was to learn a craft - a skill that couldn’t be undermined by the digital world. And soon you’ll be able to just print out a chair?

I normally welcome the advancement of technology especially technology which would democratise something like manufacturing but, I don’t know, I’m a bit scared.

And that’s before we can print out food and body organs.