3D Printers

Apparently the shootings in Connecticut are not losing any momentum as the week goes on and things are actually getting much more ridiculous as each day passes us by. No, I did not expect anything more from our rounded corner, quilted-landing society. Although the amount of idiocy that is surfacing is scary, today I will focus on a technical one a bit, just a quick bit.

MakerBot, Among Others

There was an article that went out today stating that several of the 3D printer manufactures are planning on pulling certain things from their development kits. Developers, enthusiasts and organizations that have received a lot of publicity in the past for providing instructions on printing firearm parts are pulling everything in fear of any backlash from the recent events.

The worst part of this is "what's next"? Do we outlaw 3D printers because you "may" print something that could harm another individual? I say no, no you do not! Because again that is just the start of bad things to come and TSA cavity searches as you leave your home to commute to the office. Not to mention, even if you did print the majority of the parts to make a firearm you could not print most of the springs and related that are required to actually make it fire a round. Big deal, you could print a stock or maybe a lower receiver. Most individuals that would take the time to model and print something like this are hobbyist or gunsmiths and least likely to go on a shooting rampage.

Pretty much everyone I know who is a firearm owner would never fire a projectile such-as a bullet from a printed part. The stability is just not there and even if it were its not worth the risk if you ask me. Hell anyone with a Home Depot or Lowe's nearby can easily make things that would cause a whole heck of a lot more harm and damage for under $50 to $100 if that. Use your imagination, its all I need to do is provide some examples and end up on one of these douche-bags fuckin' lists. I imagine simply saying the word "firearm" will be a big no-no at some point and insensitive or illegal.

Radio & Video

There are also several radio stations that are pulling tracks from their playlists. Anything that may involve lyrics about violence, firearms, or a combination of those. One band that was pulled (and I use the word "band" loosely) goes by the name of "Foster The People" with the song "Pumped Up Kicks". First-off their music is total shxt! The effects they are using on the vocals is like a rock version of auto-tune, only worse. No matter, the lyrics are shxt and they are coming out saying they were meant to teach kids about gun violence. Hmm, I cant seem to make the connection.

Why not educate society in the classroom, young and old about firearms, violence and so on and quit relying on a fuckin' shxtty bands song and corresponding music video on YouTube? Nah, as I have mentioned before, most parents don't want to deal with that - it requires work ya' know! Plus does anyone really listen to the radio anymore, much less kids?

I have a feeling that the video will be pulled at some point, but following this paragraph I have added a link to it on YouTube. Also just-in-case it is pulled I provided some of the lyrics from the song that the band is stating were written to "educate", maybe you can make the connection - I cant. Really I should not even acknowledge this garbage, but I just cant seem to look the other way.

Lyrics: "All the other kids with the pumped up kicks / You better run, better run, outrun my gun/ All the other kids with the pumped up kicks / You better run, better run, faster than my bullet."

Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks

Instagram

Ok once again today I need to shift gears and get off of the shootings topic, its taking up too much of my energy for one week and probably not the end of it by any means.

I thought it was important to mention, for my own historical purposes if nothing else, about Instagram in the news this week. Instagram / Facebook announced yesterday that they are planning to start using and/or selling the photos that users have posted, using the service, and there is nothing you can do about it because they own the rights to them. As you can imagine the internet exploded over this announcement and users started closing their accounts, pulling their photos and related. This morning it was announced that they have listened and are not going to move forward with this.

Personally I think it was nothing more than Facebook walking next to the pool of users and dipping a big toe in the water to test the temperature before they jumped in. Probably a good decision based on the response they received. I don't use Instagram so I don't really care nor would I if I did. Not to mention anything posted on the internet always has that underlying unknown as though you are giving it away anyhow.

Au Revoir

I think that will be about all for this entry. I am thinking I need to get on Craigslist or on Make.com and start looking at 3D printers before they are banned. I have wanted one for a really long time and have been waiting for the prices to come down, for them to get faster and for there to be more colors of material, as well as higher resolution printed models.

Currently there are a lot of rough spots on the printed pieces, especially if the object is faceted (think of a gemstone for example). Its a lot of money for nothing more than a toy, and yea, I will most likely not purchase one yet, but I am definitely more intrigued now that they are getting such a bad rap and have the potential to go Au Revoir. Of course this could mean that the prices will sky-rocket out of reach for consumers as well as myself in the coming months.

Even though I am a gun enthusiast and responsible gun owner I still have little to no interest in printing 3D gun parts. Other than the cool-factor that someone was able to do it, it has little to no appeal to me. There are some things you just don't fuck with, this being one of them.

If you are printing them for display or educational purposes then hell yeah that is a great idea! Again, it's just something else being blown out of proportion by the mainstream media while they have the opportunity to scare society.

Anyhow, I think I would have more fun printing a race car, taking it out to the kart track I race at and turning some laps! Unfortunately the first time it was done it used up a $200,000 budget! For now that is a little beyond my hobby budget. But here it is, and it's friggin' sweet!


Grabbed from http://www.popsci.com  --  Printed For Speed Courtesy Group T
 
Photo: Printed AR-15 component (off-white piece)
Grabbed from Wired.com, courtesy Michael Guslick/Haveblue.org