Will 3D printing put people out of work?

[FreeHampshire]

What happens in a world where 3D printing takes off and the average person "downloads" most of the products they wish to buy instead of going to the store? Peter Joseph and his types point out this would be the beginning of the end for the marketplace, but so far technology seems to have created more jobs than anything.

 

[Matt Collins]

Let's think this through by looking at history...



Will auto manufactuers put blacksmiths and stables out of business?

Will airplanes put ocean liners out of business?

Will tape recordings put musicians out of business?



So the answer to your question is, while 3D printing may fundamentally shift the way we do things, someone still has to build, design, manufacture, service, ship, and operate these things. This is why being educated and versatile is so important because if you are an expert at something and your area of expertiese becomes obsolete (very likely these days) it becomes harder and harder to make a living at that sort of activity.

 

[TheTexan]

Some people will lose jobs, others will gain jobs.

 

[Fermli]

I hope technology puts everyone out of work. Would be nice to have robots do everything for humans. 100% leisure time. =)

 

[Dr.3D]

Seems like the first thing that would need to be done is to print replacement parts for the printer.

 

[RickyJ]

I suspect 3D printing has many limitations. Great for prototyping stuff, but not so great for an end product.

 

[Sola_Fide]

What happens in a world where 3D printing takes off and the average person "downloads" most of the products they wish to buy instead of going to the store? Peter Joseph and his types point out this would be the beginning of the end for the marketplace, but so far technology seems to have created more jobs than anything.

He says it would be the end of the marketplace? He is economically illiterate.

 

[Demigod]

Let's think this through by looking at history...



Will auto manufactuers put blacksmiths and stables out of business?

Will airplanes put ocean liners out of business?

Will tape recordings put musicians out of business?



So the answer to your question is, while 3D printing may fundamentally shift the way we do things, someone still has to build, design, manufacture, service, ship, and operate these things. This is why being educated and versatile is so important because if you are an expert at something and your area of expertiese becomes obsolete (very likely these days) it becomes harder and harder to make a living at that sort of activity.

Well for the first 2 yes
The third one has no connection what so ever.

 

[LibertyRevolution]

What happens in a world where 3D printing takes off and the average person "downloads" most of the products they wish to buy instead of going to the store? Peter Joseph and his types point out this would be the beginning of the end for the marketplace, but so far technology seems to have created more jobs than anything.

You mean what would happen if we returned to a manufacturing based economy instead of a service based economy?
I would guess more peace, profit, and prosperity.

who am i kidding...
The government would step in to "save" the stores by taxing the 3d printer refills out of competition to "save" the serviced based economy...

 

[roho76]

No. It will however, improve people's quality of life.

 

[RickyJ]

He says it would be the end of the marketplace? He is economically illiterate.

He's also technically illiterate. He might as well be writer of fiction.

 

[Tpoints]

haven't you heard? automation creates jobs, not destroy jobs! Have you ever met a teller out of work because of an ATM? How about a horse because of a train? Doesn't happen!

These are not my words, but somehow I'm the messenger who gets shot.
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showth...ican-Fallacy&p=4762649&viewfull=1#post4762649
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showth...ican-Fallacy&p=4762688&viewfull=1#post4762688
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showth...ican-Fallacy&p=4762719&viewfull=1#post4762719
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showth...ican-Fallacy&p=4762733&viewfull=1#post4762733

 

[brandon]

No 3D printing won't lead to a net decrease in jobs anymore than any other tech has.

But I think 3d printing is way over hyped on the internet lately. It will never produce high quality products. 3D printers may become commonplace one day, but they will never live up to the hype they've been given. They will produce good of lower quality than any dedicated factory. Mass produced factory goods have taken over some of the hand-made craftsman produced market in the last 100 years, but everyone still knows if you want a quality item you don't get it at walmart, you go to the people that specialize in it. 3D printer goods will be one step even lower on the quality ladder. Maybe they will be cheap one day, but it will be even lower wuality than going to walmart or target. And as far as metals go, there is no way any 3D printer will be able to compete or replicate machined metals. You won't be printing a car, ever.

 

[Tpoints]

No 3D printing won't lead to a net decrease in jobs anymore than any other tech has.

But I think 3d printing is way over hyped on the internet lately. It will never produce high quality products. 3D printers may become commonplace one day, but they will never live up to the hype they've been given. They will produce good of lower quality than any dedicated factory. Mass produced factory goods have taken over some of the hand-made craftsman produced market in the last 100 years, but everyone still knows if you want a quality item you don't get it at walmart, you go to the people that specialize in it. 3D printer goods will be one step even lower on the quality ladder. Maybe they will be cheap one day, but it will be even lower wuality than going to walmart or target. And as far as metals go, there is no way any 3D printer will be able to compete or replicate machined metals. You won't be printing a car, ever.

what is the limitation on 3d printed quality? is it the firmness/hardness of the plastic they use?

 

[torchbearer]

Im waiting for the star trek replicator.

 

[brandon]

what is the limitation on 3d printed quality? is it the firmness/hardness of the plastic they use?

It's the materials that they use in general. Modern goods are made from thousands of different materials. 3D printers only use one material. Even if they eventually are able to use a few different materials it still won't be able to replicate the majority of goods. They won't be able to ever mill metal or tan leather. Most materials require specialized machines and processes, which one electronic box will never be able to do(at least not on the consumer level).


These are some of the machines required to process metal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXVWiGqeltM

No off the shelf consumer printer will ever compare to a real mill and lathe.

 

[angelatc]

3D printing will put Chinese people out of work. However, Americans will be able to afford to start manufacturing again.

No off the shelf consumer printer will ever compare to a real mill and lathe.

Raise your hand if you heard photographers say that digital would never replace real film.

 

[Tpoints]

3D printing will put Chinese people out of work. However, Americans will be able to afford to start manufacturing again.

Raise your hand if you heard photographers say that digital would never replace real film.

is digital film cheaper than real film? for consumer level? Or just better, easier to use? That makes the big difference. 3D printing doesn't need to put molding out of business, it just has to serve needs which molding isn't available or can't be done fast enough.

 

[TheTexan]

You won't be printing a car, ever.

Cars? Maybe, maybe not. Houses? More likely

 

[Tpoints]

Cars? Maybe, maybe not. Houses? More likely