You’ll Download Physical Objects Sooner Than You Think

While it's an interesting subject, this article is terrible. No actual news was contained within. A bunch of hyperbole about what "might" happen, without any evidence besides hearsay. Your time would be better spent reading the wikipedia article:<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printer" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printer</a>

How can you have an article about downloadable physical objects without mentioning Shapeways? <a href="http://www.shapeways.com/model/227707/" rel="nofollow">http://www.shapeways.com/model/227707/</a> The uploader chooses the materials the object is available in (Shapeways will print it in that material and send it to you), or whether you can download the file and print it yourself. <a href="http://www.shapeways.com/model/449442/the_piratebay_ship.html?gid=mg" rel="nofollow">http://www.shapeways.com/model/449442/the_piratebay_ship.htm...</a>

This is bound to disrupt a lot of industries. I can already imagine the massive lobbying efforts and propaganda against it.

<i>donated a 3D printer worth several hundred dollars for him to use at school.</i><p>Can a 3D printer really be acquired at this price level now? Does anyone have any model recommendations in this range?

I wonder how this affects the mechanical engineering labor distribution in firms. Perhaps smaller shops like in software?

This is also the future of recycling. Your soda bottle will become a toy will become part of your shoes will become...

The big winner will be an easy 3d modeler.

"You wouldn't download a car, would you?"<p>(sorry, it had to be done)