We are LIVING in Star Trek. You mentioned that Star Trek predicted replicators. People haven’t even considered what kind of construction projects you could remotely program a robot to do in tandem with this. A 3D printer could build basic materials, and a robot could assemble them with amazing speed.
These people make it sound like a 3D printer can create anything from nothing. As for all the hysteria over the dreaded “3D gun,” I want to see a 3D printer produce a semi-automatic pistol with a precision machined steel barrel and firing pin.
That is what I immediately thought, although I was thinking of their food replicators. When will they start 3D printing food?