The video below shows an elaborate plan by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the architectural firm Foster + Partners to design a permanent lunar research base, capable of housing scientists. The most exciting part isn’t really the idea of a lunar base. There are all kinds of plans out there for everything from underwater mega…
Architects in Amsterdam 3D Printing Entire Houses
Not very long ago at all, there were people who claimed that 3D printing was a very limited technology – too limited to be truly disruptive. It turns out, yet again, that there are very few limits on science and technology but many limits on people’s imaginations (at least some people). 3D printing, as this…
Motorcycle accident victim gets 3D printed face
I wrote at one point that 3D printing would be the most disruptive technology yet (at least until it’s beaten out by artificial intelligence). Since then, I’ve had several skeptics tell me that 3D printing will always be of limited value, because it can only produce very simple things. Fortunately, those developing the technology seem…
Watch NASA’s 3D Pizza Printer in Action
I’ve said in the past that 3D printing will be the most disruptive technology to date. I believe that it will eventually result in the ‘Napsterification’ of manufacturing. Eventually you will be able to download specs and print just about anything you want, to the peril of manufacturing, shipping and retail. The primary argument against…
A Short (Video) Introduction to 3D Priting
I’ve talked quite a bit about 3D printing, the promise it holds and the disruptive impact it will have. However, for those of you who are not quite clear on exactly what 3D printing is or how it works, this short (3 minute) video from AsapSCIENCE should at least get you started. It’s a bit…
New Study Says Half of US Jobs Will Be Replaced By Machines in 20 Years
According to a recent study from the Oxford Martin Programme on the Impacts of Future Technology nearly half of all US jobs could be replaced by computers over the next two decades. Although the report specifically mentions US jobs, it is fairly safe to assume that this means a significant impact on jobs worldwide. I’ve…
The Future Is Coming Faster and Faster
I’ve talked about this before but changes in science, medicine and technology are coming which will make the changes brought by personal computers and the internet seem insignificant by comparison. While some of the new tech is potentially scary on its own, what is truly frightening is that no government body or political party is…
Can We Make Biodegradable Plastic from Grass?
Most plastics are currently made from fossil fuels. This presents a number of problems. First, and most obviously, it contributes to greenhouse gasses and global warming. It is also not biodegradable, it congests landfills and is toxic when it is incinerated. Some of it can be recycled but that requires additional energy. There are methods…
The Internet, the Middle Class and the Jobless Future
On May 12, Salon published ‘Jaron Lanier: The Internet destroyed the middle class‘ since that time I’ve had the article sent to me about a half a dozen times from people who thought I might like to comment. Sadly, most of those people do not seem to have read the entire article and somehow missed…
SciShow : 3D Printing and the Future of Stuff
I’ve made no secret of the fact that I geek out over the potential of 3D printing, which I believe will be the most disruptive technology of the 21st century. Just to reemphasize the point, here’s Scishow with their intro to 3D printing. Plus, as an added bonus and to further fuel your imagination, here’s…