The Singularity Is Nearer: When We Merge with AI

by Ray Kurzweil

In addition, 3D printing allows manufacturing to be decentralized, empowering consumers and local communities. This contrasts with the paradigm that developed during the twentieth century, in which manufacturing is largely concentrated in giant corporate factories in major cities. Under this model, small towns and developing countries must buy their products from far away, and shipping is expensive and time-consuming. Decentralized manufacturing will also have significant environmental benefits. Shipping products from factories to consumers hundreds or thousands of miles away generates enormous emissions. According to the International Transport Forum, freight shipping accounts for around 30 percent of all carbon emissions from fuel burning.[267] Decentralized 3D printing can make much of that unnecessary. Each year the resolution of 3D printing is improving and the technology is getting cheaper.[268] As resolution improves (that is, the size of the smallest attainable design features shrinks) and costs fall, the range of goods that can be economically printed will grow. For example, many common fabrics have fibers with diameters that are 10 to 22 microns (millionths of a meter) wide.[269] Some 3D printers can already achieve resolution of 1 micron or less.[270] Once the technology can achieve fabric-like diameters with fabric-like materials at similar prices to regular fabric, it will be economically feasible to print out any clothing we wish.[271]