Comment by hshdhdhj4444
5 days ago
3D printing hasn’t taken power away from anybody.
The percentage of goods manufactured in the world that come from the set of the top 5 or top 10 or top 100 or top 1000 sources have all increased today relative to before.
I agree on electricity though. Cheap solar panels have made distributed energy possible in a way that was unimaginable even 20 years ago.
In a sibling comment, I point out that increasing long tails are not incompatible with overall mass centralization.
Relevant to your comment, increases in 3D printing capabilities have not translated into a reversal of manufacturing centralization in China’s favor.
That centralization continues as instability (often defended as an attempt to act against centralization) has perversely disrupted and pulled back manufacturing investment elsewhere.
As an individual, you may be able to do more, or choose from more niches. Even as the vast majority of resources and impact flow to fewer entities by volume.
3D printing hasn’t taken power away from anybody.
It frightens the incumbent powers badly: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2321&Year=2025
That's a good way to recognize sources and movement of power.