Comments on: 3D printers as teleporters http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 19 May 2013 11:58:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Cefeida http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1303521 Cefeida Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1303521 Yeah...the description makes no sense, it's exactly a 3d fax machine. It uses local resources to create a copy of a remote item. Yeah…the description makes no sense, it’s exactly a 3d fax machine. It uses local resources to create a copy of a remote item.

]]> By: lvdata http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1303256 lvdata Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1303256 I prefer the short version. I teleported home one night with Ron and Sid and Meg, Ron stole Meggie's heart away, and I got Sidney's leg." I prefer the short version.

I teleported home one night
with Ron and Sid and Meg,
Ron stole Meggie’s heart away,
and I got Sidney’s leg.”

]]> By: lvdata http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1303254 lvdata Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1303254 Who WANTS perfect fidelity? I CAN leave my excess cholesterol, weight, cavities, and the general build up of aging behind. A good enough scan that is rebuilt in better than the source condition is worth it. Somehow I DON'T think that getting every mitochondria, enzyme, is crucial. Blood can be a "simple" bulk generic replacement, blood transfusions don't affect "you", neither do organ transplants. If you can throw in a few cybernetic upgrades in the printing process I'd pay more. Also a backup disk would be a welcome extra. Not everyone worries about the matter. It is the pattern that is important. Who WANTS perfect fidelity? I CAN leave my excess cholesterol, weight, cavities, and the general build up of aging behind. A good enough scan that is rebuilt in better than the source condition is worth it. Somehow I DON’T think that getting every mitochondria, enzyme, is crucial. Blood can be a “simple” bulk generic replacement, blood transfusions don’t affect “you”, neither do organ transplants. If you can throw in a few cybernetic upgrades in the printing process I’d pay more. Also a backup disk would be a welcome extra. Not everyone worries about the matter. It is the pattern that is important.

]]> By: Mantissa128 http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1303184 Mantissa128 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1303184 But we are not lego houses. We're dynamic physical systems with - apparently - subjective experience. Being taken apart means we cease to exist. Before you were born, and after you die, you are not alive. When you have been disassembled, however temporarily, you are not alive. Still, it's a profound mystery. If you blow a candle out, then relight it, is it still the same flame? But we are not lego houses. We’re dynamic physical systems with – apparently – subjective experience. Being taken apart means we cease to exist.

Before you were born, and after you die, you are not alive. When you have been disassembled, however temporarily, you are not alive.

Still, it’s a profound mystery. If you blow a candle out, then relight it, is it still the same flame?

]]> By: p96 http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302810 p96 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302810 Aldebaran's great, okay, Algol's pretty neat, Betelgeuse's pretty girls Will knock you off your feet. They'll do anything you like Real fast and then real slow, But if you have to take me apart to get me there Then I don't want to go. Singing, Take me apart, take me apart, What a way to roam And if you have to take me apart to get me there I'd rather stay at home. Sirius is paved with gold So I've heard it said By nuts who then go on to say "See Tau before you're dead." I'll gladly take the high road Or even take the low, But if you have to take me apart to get me there Then I, for one, won't go. Singing, Take me apart, take me apart, You must be off your head, And if you try to take me apart to get me there I'll stay right here in bed. — Douglas Adams, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Aldebaran’s great, okay,
Algol’s pretty neat,
Betelgeuse’s pretty girls
Will knock you off your feet.
They’ll do anything you like
Real fast and then real slow,
But if you have to take me apart to get me there
Then I don’t want to go.

Singing,
Take me apart, take me apart,
What a way to roam
And if you have to take me apart to get me there
I’d rather stay at home.

Sirius is paved with gold
So I’ve heard it said
By nuts who then go on to say
“See Tau before you’re dead.”
I’ll gladly take the high road
Or even take the low,
But if you have to take me apart to get me there
Then I, for one, won’t go.

Singing,
Take me apart, take me apart,
You must be off your head,
And if you try to take me apart to get me there
I’ll stay right here in bed.

— Douglas Adams, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

]]> By: Peter http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302797 Peter Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302797 Yes, but in most examples of teleportation, you don't ship the exact same lego, you ship instructions on how to build it out of local lego. Yes, but in most examples of teleportation, you don’t ship the exact same lego, you ship instructions on how to build it out of local lego.

]]> By: EeyoreX http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302769 EeyoreX Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302769 <I>"let's use familiar and fun names instead of our own wonky ones"</I> I respectfully disagree with you there. What you're describing is a radically new concept and should be "sold" to people as such. And the most efficient way to do that is to carefully brand it with a new, wonky, made-up, wonky, fun name with no stale connotations attached. But don't just take my word for it: google for a wiki about xeroxed blogs.  :-) “let’s use familiar and fun names instead of our own wonky ones”

I respectfully disagree with you there. What you’re describing is a radically new concept and should be “sold” to people as such. And the most efficient way to do that is to carefully brand it with a new, wonky, made-up, wonky, fun name with no stale connotations attached. But don’t just take my word for it: google for a wiki about xeroxed blogs.
 :-)

]]> By: EeyoreX http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302764 EeyoreX Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302764 Yeah, well, the short story it was based on is very, very good. Yeah, well, the short story it was based on is very, very good.

]]> By: Donny Viszneki http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302748 Donny Viszneki Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302748 3D printers as teleporters... this was an episode of The Outer Limits (not the good series, one of the bad ones) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Think_Like_a_Dinosaur_%28The_Outer_Limits%29 3D printers as teleporters… this was an episode of The Outer Limits (not the good series, one of the bad ones) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Think_Like_a_Dinosaur_%28The_Outer_Limits%29

]]> By: jtmon http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302624 jtmon Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302624 I bet a lot if things sound like a lot of things they're not. Thankfully we have advertising laws. It's not really anything special to sell a million ad copies based on outright lies. In the end it's still factually wrong and just making people sound dumber than they already do. Did you get the email I teleported to you? I bet a lot if things sound like a lot of things they’re not. Thankfully we have advertising laws. It’s not really anything special to sell a million ad copies based on outright lies. In the end it’s still factually wrong and just making people sound dumber than they already do. Did you get the email I teleported to you?

]]> By: Les Orchard http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302608 Les Orchard Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302608 When has a scanner ever had perfect fidelity? You step into the scanner first :) When has a scanner ever had perfect fidelity? You step into the scanner first :)

]]> By: Les Orchard http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302605 Les Orchard Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302605 Or we could accept that 3D scanning and printing is likely the only thing that will be remotely possible within the next 50 years that enables me to have a thing here that you end up with over there, faster than it would take to carry it through the intervening space. I bet that would sound like teleportation to quite a lot of people, and make for ad copy that sells a million units. Or we could accept that 3D scanning and printing is likely the only thing that will be remotely possible within the next 50 years that enables me to have a thing here that you end up with over there, faster than it would take to carry it through the intervening space. I bet that would sound like teleportation to quite a lot of people, and make for ad copy that sells a million units.

]]> By: Anil Dash http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302573 Anil Dash Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302573 I should point out - I used the term "sci-fi nerds" affectionately because I am one. Yes, words should mean something. But those meanings should also evolve. I should point out – I used the term “sci-fi nerds” affectionately because I am one. Yes, words should mean something. But those meanings should also evolve.

]]> By: Anil Dash http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302571 Anil Dash Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302571 I'm fine with replicator, but it's a less known term to non-geeks than teleporter. Point being, let's use familiar and fun names instead of our own wonky ones. I’m fine with replicator, but it’s a less known term to non-geeks than teleporter. Point being, let’s use familiar and fun names instead of our own wonky ones.

]]> By: Anil Dash http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302569 Anil Dash Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302569 Or, we could accept that in English, as in most languages, words evolve in their meaning all the time, and it's okay. Not everything has to fit neatly within a binary evaluation. Or, we could accept that in English, as in most languages, words evolve in their meaning all the time, and it’s okay. Not everything has to fit neatly within a binary evaluation.

]]> By: Lobster http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302561 Lobster Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302561 Yeah, sounds great until a friggin space dinosaur keeps ordering you to, "balance the equation." Yeah, sounds great until a friggin space dinosaur keeps ordering you to, “balance the equation.”

]]> By: Felton / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302555 Felton / Moderator Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302555 Maybe now's a good time to make sure they're programmed with the Three Laws of Robotics. Maybe now’s a good time to make sure they’re programmed with the Three Laws of Robotics.

]]> By: MarcVader http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302542 MarcVader Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302542 "Tea. Earl Grey, hot." and possibly bacon, crispy. “Tea. Earl Grey, hot.”

and possibly bacon, crispy.

]]> By: Andrew Pierce http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302539 Andrew Pierce Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302539 The same reasons you would like a scanner to be mandatory are the reasons they will be forbidden. The same reasons you would like a scanner to be mandatory are the reasons they will be forbidden.

]]> By: ksallen http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302537 ksallen Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302537 "Imagine a simple television ad with a clean, well-designed (not a kit!) device saying "when you lose the wheel for your kid's toy car, her friend can teleport her a replacement"." Why would you need a friend to do this? Why can't the company that sold the toy car send you the wheel (perhaps for a small fee). Many companies sell replacement parts for a pittance, but charge an arm and a leg for shipping. “Imagine a simple television ad with a clean, well-designed (not a kit!) device saying “when you lose the wheel for your kid’s toy car, her friend can teleport her a replacement”.”

Why would you need a friend to do this? Why can’t the company that sold the toy car send you the wheel (perhaps for a small fee). Many companies sell replacement parts for a pittance, but charge an arm and a leg for shipping.

]]> By: Pete Austin http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302508 Pete Austin Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302508 This happens to all living organisms. As you travelled from where you were 10 years ago, to where you are now, almost all your atoms have been replaced by others. Your current body has been regularly rebuilt using the information from earlier versions. Yet you consider yourself to be the original "you", not a replica. Thus all teleportation moves the original too. This happens to all living organisms. As you travelled from where you were 10 years ago, to where you are now, almost all your atoms have been replaced by others. Your current body has been regularly rebuilt using the information from earlier versions. Yet you consider yourself to be the original “you”, not a replica. Thus all teleportation moves the original too.

]]> By: Pete Austin http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302506 Pete Austin Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302506 No, the real breakthrough with 3D printers will be when they can effectively copy themselves. No, the real breakthrough with 3D printers will be when they can effectively copy themselves.

]]> By: Pete Austin http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302504 Pete Austin Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302504 You're right! This changes a lot of science fiction stories. For example, I expect any Star Trek remake to include a scene where the crew are sued for copyright theft after teleporting local products back to the Enterprise. You’re right! This changes a lot of science fiction stories. For example, I expect any Star Trek remake to include a scene where the crew are sued for copyright theft after teleporting local products back to the Enterprise.

]]> By: fryonic http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302487 fryonic Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302487 "sci-fi nerds will point out..."  oooooh those infuriating sci-fi nerds with their intransigent insistence on using sci-fi terms accurately *shakes fist*.  Don't they know that words should be used according to the interest they will generate instead of according to their meaning?  Didn't they take Marketing101? In fact, since "sci-fi correctness" just gets in the way of "totally futuristic concept[s]", let's promote 3D fax machines with other terms that will have an even greater impact.  Let's call them warp drives, or maybe lightsabers, or maybe rise of the machines. How about calling it a death star?  The advertisements could say "That's no moon.  It's a 3D scanner/printer!  First we will scan your planet, and then if *somebody* breaks it we will print you a new one.  The new one will be in the form or an asteroid field, so some assembly required." “sci-fi nerds will point out…”  oooooh those infuriating sci-fi nerds with their intransigent insistence on using sci-fi terms accurately *shakes fist*.  Don’t they know that words should be used according to the interest they will generate instead of according to their meaning?  Didn’t they take Marketing101?

In fact, since “sci-fi correctness” just gets in the way of “totally futuristic concept[s]“, let’s promote 3D fax machines with other terms that will have an even greater impact.  Let’s call them warp drives, or maybe lightsabers, or maybe rise of the machines.

How about calling it a death star?  The advertisements could say “That’s no moon.  It’s a 3D scanner/printer!  First we will scan your planet, and then if *somebody* breaks it we will print you a new one.  The new one will be in the form or an asteroid field, so some assembly required.”

]]> By: KBert http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302444 KBert Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302444 Destructive scanning + my penis = I think not! Destructive scanning + my penis = I think not!

]]> By: Halloween Jack http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302412 Halloween Jack Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302412 It's not a true teleporter without a cranky doctor who bitches about it. It’s not a true teleporter without a cranky doctor who bitches about it.

]]> By: Halloween Jack http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302411 Halloween Jack Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302411 Actually, they'd send a copy of a porn star's schlong and pretend it's theirs. Actually, they’d send a copy of a porn star’s schlong and pretend it’s theirs.

]]> By: Drew_Gehringer http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302410 Drew_Gehringer Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302410 As I said in my first comment; if you can make an exact copy of the lego village out of the exact same lego in the exact same positions, it's arguably not 'destruction', merely 'disassembly'. As I said in my first comment; if you can make an exact copy of the lego village out of the exact same lego in the exact same positions, it’s arguably not ‘destruction’, merely ‘disassembly’.

]]> By: David Hall http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302361 David Hall Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302361 Assuming your printer is capable of printing lord-knows-what you find inside. Assuming your printer is capable of printing lord-knows-what you find inside.

]]> By: hymenopterid http://boingboing.net/2011/12/21/3d-printers-as-teleporters.html#comment-1302351 hymenopterid Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135414#comment-1302351 Thingification is exactly what it does.  People will get that instantly.  Even MBAs will grasp it. They will say things like, "I like the synergy  but, can we thingify this paradigm?" Thingification is exactly what it does.  People will get that instantly.  Even MBAs will grasp it.
They will say things like, “I like the synergy  but, can we thingify this paradigm?”

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