3D Printing–Potential Disadvantages

Dear Class,

Three-dimensional printing progressed from academic curiosity to powerful production tool through the 1980s and 1990s. The apparatus works by injecting media onto a bed, sometimes submerged in liquid, in thin layers, usually around 100 micrometers. After repeating this process many thousands of times, a physical model of a digital object is produced in three dimensions.

As with most technologies, three-dimensional printing has the potential to be socially disruptive. For instance, how will we, as a society, decide to protect the intellectual property rights of companies whose products are likely to be copied using three-dimensional printing? (See this article on how three-dimensional printing is likely to disrupt tabletop gaming company, Games Workshop.) How will we choose to regulate the production of certain objects, like assault rifles? (For more information about weapons manufacture using three-dimensional printing, see this interview with Defense Distributed founder Cody Wilson.)

As technology is adopted, there is the tendency for our lives to be lived farther and farther from the physical. Three-dimensional printing is an odd reversal of this trend, a movement of the digital world into the physical. And yet, the physical experience of three-dimensional printing is not the same as other acts of creation. The designer of objects for three-dimensional printing never knows the human pleasure of craftsmanship, the tactile experience of exploring material as it progresses from imagination to form.

The craftsman knows the sensory delights of working in the physical world: the sound and smell of wood as the plane removes shavings, the touch of the plane, the sight of wood taking its final form.
(Image Source.)

With best wishes for your happiness,

Hayden

3D Printing--Pros

Last week my partner Hayden S. and I did our technology presentation on 3D Printers. 3D printers, while relatively new to the manufacturing world, may have the potential to redefine it. 3D printers function in a very similar manner to normal 2D printers, except instead of using paper and ink, they utilize layers of thermoplastic powder into which a binding solution is injected. The solution is injected in areas according to a scan of an object or a 3D design created with Computer Aided Design programming that has been "sent" to the printer. The result is a nearly perfect replication of almost any object imaginable.

 I discussed the many positive implications 3D printing in our presentation. First and foremost, 3D printing is extremely efficient. Many of the processes used to create, assemble, and distribute mass produced products could be eliminated completely with the use of 3D printers. This would simultaneously maximize productivity and minimize cost, which could be beneficial in reducing the price of many useful devices that are too expensive for many to afford. 3D printing also nearly eliminates the production of waste byproducts, meaning that 3D printing could potentially be labeled as a sustainable option for mass production.

One of the most important uses of the 3D printer may be in the medical realm. Technology is being developed which could allow for the "printing" of viable organs, essentially eliminating the need for organ donors and transplant lists. As a result, many lives could be saved. This kind of technology, while not available to hospitals yet, could become a regular practice within the next five years.

These are just a few of many reasons why 3D printing could have a very positive impact on the world within the next decade. Below is the link to our presentation on 3D printers.

Uwand and IR technology--cons

As the presentations for technology come to a close, I'd like to take the chance to take you back to our first day when Colette and I discussed the Uwand. This magical remote incorporates infrared technology--nothing new to the tech world. As a matter of fact, it was first used as a missile detector on Queen Elizabeth's jet in 1990. Since then it's been implemented into security systems, measuring devices, motions sensors, temperature monitoring, and a variety of other consumer products; however, this is it's first application with a television. The Uwand offers a very basic remote with very basic controls with a very basic goal--ease of use.

The Uwand's ease of use marketing strategy borders on false advertising because of its inability to be used through walls and susceptibility to weather. In addition, prepare for the next Iphone to be capable of the exact IR technology making this technology obsolete to the everyday consumer.

Remember when we used to just "watch" tv. We never clicked, browsed, or scrolled on it. We just enjoyed whatever lame CSI came on for an uninterrupted hour. While our brains are not  necessarily turning to mush, our ability to concentrate is being depleted if we need to be able to interact with a television.

Don't get me wrong, I find the ease of use to be extremely cool, but I would expect my Uwand to do my homework and make me the coolest guy at Reggie's on Monday for a market price of $200. It's just not financially sound for its capabilities.

Fortunately, only the 20% of people who actually have smart televisions--66% of which don't even use the apps--can experience its blatant downsides. Carr quotes Doidge in The Shallows saying, "The paradox of neuroplasticity is that for all the mental flexibility it grants us, it can end up locking us into rigid behaviors." Philips is merely playing on the fact that our brains are locked in the "rigid behavior" to have the latest technology--whether is useful or not.

Golden-i

       We did a presentation on Verizon's Golden-i headset that is a full personal computer. Reade discussed what it is and the different specifications of the device. Philip discussed the pros, which included the sturdiness of the device, the ease of use, and the ability to be updated with new technology. Hans talked about the stuff that wasn't cool about it, which included the cost and the fact that it would lead to a more antisocial society. We discussed that Rosen would agree that it would lead to more "i-disorders".

http://prezi.com/y8awke4hvgcq/verizons-golden-i/?kw=view-y8awke4hvgcq&rc=ref-29892049

Larry Rosen Interview

After searching on YouTube, I found this very intriguing interview with Larry Rosen, author of iDisorder. In the video, Rosen talks about some key parts of his book, including our generation's conditions of obsessive compulsiveness and narcissism. Rosen's comments on our dependence on technology and digital devices reminded me of a passage in Wolf's The Proust and the Squid. Wolf writes about the history and beginnings of the written language and how many people were opposed to its development and use, including Socrates. Socrates felt that in writing information down, people no longer had to use their mental capacity to store information. Wolf connected this to our generation and our dependence on technology. The way Rosen speaks about how our generation cannot sit down for a nice quiet dinner without phones on the table, constantly vibrating from text messages, causes me to wonder about technology's effect on humans. Our obsessive compulsiveness has led us to be in constant contact with our phones, never leaving the house without them, and I can't help but think that this has negative ramifications. Maybe the way Socrates felt about his generation's dependence on the written language correlates with our current situation. I know from personal experience that from the moment I first acquired my iPhone, I no longer had to remember where and when certain events were taking place because my phone sent me a reminder that day. Because of the emerging Digital Age, we no longer have to remember information that generations before us did. Are we turning into a generation that can no longer think for itself?

Noninvasive Test for Chromosomal Defects in the Fetus

Tuesday, February 5, Cody L. and I presented Noninvasive Test for Chromosomal Defects in the Fetus. This test is new technology in development to detect chromosomal abnormalities in a fetus through a mother’s blood sample. Using Massive parallel sequencing, the fetal DNA can be isolated in the blood and read in many short bursts at one time. This allows for the DNA to be decoded and assembled together to reflect the entire genome.
The positive side to this technology is the safer method of testing. Currently, more dangerous or less accurate tests are used. An amniocentesis is the most reliable method of currently determining chromosomal defects in the fetus, yet it is coupled with the highest risk. In order to gain a sample of the amino, a needle is inserted through the mother’s belly into the sterile amniotic fluid. This needle can introduce pathogens causing and infection, a or even lead to a spontaneous abortion upon entry, which is argued to be between a 1 in 200 or 1 in 1600 risk. There are also methods of calculating a probability of defects with in the fetus either by a visual clues or maternal hormone screening. Neither of these methods are very reliable, however, and generally lead to an amniocentesis for confirmation. The new technology and methods being developed allows for a harmless blood draw from the mother. The blood can be analyzed for fetal DNA fragments present. These fragments can then be isolated and decoded. The process of decoding is preliminarily test to be just as accurate as MicroArray technology, currently the most accurate method of decoding and translating DNA. 

Schedulizer

Today Sarah A. and I presented on the topic of the Schedulizer website. We commented on the pros and cons of the website while also informing the class on its purpose. Here is the link to the presentation:

http://prezi.com/vf8lkzlctqs7/schedulizer/?kw=view-vf8lkzlctqs7&rc=ref-29778793