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If everything was free: the economics of abundance (Utopian Laff Riot, But Thought-Provoking)
Kaleo, the independent student newspaper of the University of Hawai'i ^ | March 5, 2014 | Roman Kalinowski, Senior Staff Writer

Posted on 03/05/2014 9:49:29 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

Imagine going online and, with a single click, printing out any physical object. With a miniature production plant in every home, there would be no need for retail stores, factories, shipping or the pollution associated with those activities. Large-scale automation of a huge segment of the workforce, combined with free worldwide-Internet, 3D printing and renewable off-grid energy will free humanity to achieve anything without worrying about basic material needs.

FREE WIFI FOR ALL

In the next few years, everyone on the planet with a wireless device will likely have access to high speed, uncensored Internet. A futuristic project spearheaded by the New York-based Media Development Investment Fund will see 150 miniature satellites launched into low Earth orbit beginning in June 2015. These satellites will “datacast” the Internet around the planet in a manner similar to satellite television, with plans to make the signal two-way soon after.

Citizens of the planet will be able to educate themselves on any topic at no cost, exchange billions of ideas at the speed of light and organize to overthrow oppressive governing regimes should the need arise. The Internet has already been responsible for the rapid rise of free software and entertainment including music, movies, books, news and video games and will continue improving when combined with 3D printing.

THE LIBERTY OF 3D PRINTING

The capabilities of 3D printers have grown exponentially during the past decade. The Nanoscribe 3D printer can replicate the Empire State Building within the width of a human hair and can construct models 30 millionths of a meter in diameter by layering of liquid plastic. It’s a matter of time before 3D printers are able to print at an atomic and molecular level; this development could allow people in the comfort of their own home to download designs off the Internet and print tools, parts and robot assistants to perform repetitive tasks.

Larger 3D printers could construct infinitely customizable houses, cars, boats and planes within 24 hours for anyone who wanted one. While hugely liberating for the modern working class consumer, 3D printing threatens established institutions of power and wealth that may resist the coming technological revolution.

WITH ABUNDANCE, DO WE NEED GOVERNANCE?

The overwhelming majority of conflicts in human history have occurred between governments as a result of resource scarcity. Spain, Portugal, England, France, Holland and Germany fought hundreds of battles while spreading disease and forcing the colonization of millions of natives around the world in order to bring home cheap crops, minerals and labor.

The Empire of Japan attacked the U.S. in World War II to secure access to oil and commodities in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and the main reason the Southern Confederacy wanted slavery to remain legal was to avoid many of the costs of labor involved in the production of cotton, tobacco and other agricultural commodities for European export.

Governing bodies have only existed just as long as organized agriculture, and their function has largely been to redistribute surplus resources in the form of taxes as payment for safeguarding consumers and stockpiles of goods from those who would raid them. If ideas, resources, goods, labor and energy become abundant, there would be no need for Social Security or welfare, and maintaining a defense force would be pointless as resources and goods would be available to all free of charge. Money would also become obsolete, because it has no intrinsic use or value.

In a world of free and uncensored Internet, 3D printing and near-limitless clean energy, organized central government would no longer be necessary nor serve much purpose.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; Philosophy; US: Hawaii
KEYWORDS: 3dprinters; 3dprinting; internet; manufacturing
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To: Bobalu

Thank you, I appreciate it.


21 posted on 03/05/2014 10:52:35 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (I will raise $2M for Sarah Palin's next run, what will you do?)
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To: dsrtsage
As a physician, nothing angers me more than seeing those bumper stickers that say: "Free health care for all".

Yeah, and how will THAT work, you POS Volvo driver?

How are you going to MAKE doctors, nurses and support staff get out of bed at 6am to give you your "free" health care?

Sorry to break it to these trust fund a$$holes, but, SOMEONE has to PAY for your "free" health care.

22 posted on 03/05/2014 11:09:10 PM PST by boop (I just wanted a President. But I got a rock.)
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To: smokingfrog
Where do I get my free printer?

It'll be just like it is now: The printer won't cost much, it's the ink cartridges that will get you.

23 posted on 03/05/2014 11:23:24 PM PST by j. earl carter
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

So, we’ll be able to print free vegetables and food and medicine and water and everything and no one will have to work to produce the raw materials for anything, you just print everything on your free printer off free Internet. /sarc


24 posted on 03/05/2014 11:35:05 PM PST by Eagles6 (Valley Forge Redux)
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Comment #25 Removed by Moderator

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Seriously, I own enough crap already.


26 posted on 03/05/2014 11:42:48 PM PST by Berlin_Freeper
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To: bigbob

150 satellites will be built, launched, maintained, and operated for free?

The stuff that is used in 3d printing is cheap and pollution-free?

This person is a buffoon


27 posted on 03/05/2014 11:48:59 PM PST by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet


28 posted on 03/06/2014 12:13:04 AM PST by BlueDragon (You can observe a lot just by watching. Yogi Berra)
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To: Bobalu
We are at the dawn of a new technological revolution, one far more powerful and sweeping than any that have come before.

3D printers? It seems to me that we are at the high noon of the electronic revolution, and everybody is blinded by it. It's fantastic, i.e. " ...wild, absurd, far-fetched, nonsensical, incredible, unbelievable, unthinkable, implausible, improbable,..." to take the middle third of Google's definition.

29 posted on 03/06/2014 12:26:23 AM PST by dr_lew
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
"In a world of free and uncensored Internet, 3D printing and near-limitless clean energy, organized central government would no longer be necessary nor serve much purpose."


30 posted on 03/06/2014 12:28:04 AM PST by Talisker (One who commands, must obey.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
New Book: Twilight of Abundance

David Archibald has written a new book. In short: Baby boomers enjoyed the most benign period in human history: fifty years of relative peace, cheap energy, plentiful grain supply, and a warming climate due to the highest solar activity for 8,000 years. The party is over—prepare for the twilight of abundance.

31 posted on 03/06/2014 12:33:47 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Roman needs a great big dose of reality. Is this crap what universities are supposed to teach?(rhetorical question).


32 posted on 03/06/2014 12:39:23 AM PST by JimSEA
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To: BenLurkin
It would be like what happened to the Krell.

Very good, and on a certain level, I agree.
33 posted on 03/06/2014 12:47:48 AM PST by 98ZJ USMC
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

So, if he gets sick, is he going to print out a doctor, dentist, or surgeon to diagnose and treat his condition ? How about the “free internet”. Does this idiot think the servers maintain themselves ?


34 posted on 03/06/2014 12:51:28 AM PST by TheCipher (Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself- Mark Twain)
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Only the central govt gives stuff away for “free”.


35 posted on 03/06/2014 12:52:12 AM PST by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

It has been my experience that people value what they earned by the sweat of their brow, and even given something equal in every way will not value and care for it as well. If you knew, for instance, that you’d painlessly get another, you would not take care of it. In the end, we’d become wasteful to an insane degree.


36 posted on 03/06/2014 2:45:30 AM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: Gene Eric
A line in Robert Henlein's book, "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" says TINSTAAFL - There is no such thing as a free lunch.

IOW, it always costs something.

Even if government was all powerful enough to confiscate all wealth and the means to produce that which wealth can buy, theoretically giving the masses the ability to have or create anything it wants, it will still cost you.

It will cost you allegiance, conformance, right-thinking or any manner of capitulation, but it will be 'free'. So long as you are on your knees when you get the approval stamp to 'print' it.

37 posted on 03/06/2014 2:56:08 AM PST by Gaffer (Comprehensive Immigration Reform is just another name for Comprehensive Capitulation)
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To: Berlin_Freeper

“...and a warming climate due to the highest solar activity for 8,000 years.”

WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT!!! Did some crazy academic really say this? NOT global warming?


38 posted on 03/06/2014 3:17:29 AM PST by smalltownslick
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

“Citizens of the planet will be able to educate themselves on any topic at no cost, exchange billions of ideas at the speed of light and organize to overthrow oppressive governing regimes should the need arise.”

Actually, they’ll be too busy passing around pics of ass to worry about that stuff.


39 posted on 03/06/2014 3:23:08 AM PST by fruser1
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To: bigbob

Damn, I can’t drink this pretty. Too bad I have to take piss tests these days.


40 posted on 03/06/2014 3:28:47 AM PST by ebshumidors
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