4 ms·

> As soon as 3d printers will be able to replicate themselves, every regulation will be moot. I don't get this. In theory, if it were illegal to print "Item #

by tvon 13y ago

> As soon as 3d printers will be able to replicate themselves, every regulation will be moot. I don't get this. In theory, if it were illegal to print "Item #325" having 200 printers doesn't make it any less illegal to print "Item #325". > Information always finds a way to propagate. Doesn't this presuppose that no secret has ever been kept?

fennecfoxen 13y ago
Well, the other question is whether it will be legal to manufacture/sell printers which are capable of printing illegal things. If the printers are capable of self-replicating it will be implausible to enforce that sort of regulation. It is presumably already illegal to 3-D print several types of 3-D things, where such things themselves are illegal or where there is some form of copyright, trademark or patent infringement.
DoubleMalt 13y ago
>> As soon as 3d printers will be able to replicate themselves, every regulation will be moot. > I don't get this. In theory, if it were illegal to print "Item #325" having 200 printers doesn't make it any less illegal to print "Item #325". It might be illegal. But the law would be unenforceable. >> Information always finds a way to propagate. > Doesn't this presuppose that no secret has ever been kept? Valid point. What I meant is information that is out in the open. The cad files by Defense Distributed where published intentionally. You need a North Korean style regime to significantly slow down the propagation of such material.
- e12e 13y ago
  Most places you're not allowed to carry a knife in crowds. Doesn't really matter if you've made it yourself or not.
  - Dylan16807 13y ago
    You're not? I know some places ban very specific elements of 'knifes' that have nothing to do with how pokey they are for political reasons, but there are areas that actually ban having a knife?
michaelerule 13y ago
the only secrets are the secrets that keep themselves

by tvon 13y ago

fennecfoxen 13y ago

Well, the other question is whether it will be legal to manufacture/sell printers which are capable of printing illegal things. If the printers are capable of self-replicating it will be implausible to enforce that sort of regulation. It is presumably already illegal to 3-D print several types of 3-D things, where such things themselves are illegal or where there is some form of copyright, trademark or patent infringement.

DoubleMalt 13y ago

>> As soon as 3d printers will be able to replicate themselves, every regulation will be moot. > I don't get this. In theory, if it were illegal to print "Item #325" having 200 printers doesn't make it any less illegal to print "Item #325". It might be illegal. But the law would be unenforceable. >> Information always finds a way to propagate. > Doesn't this presuppose that no secret has ever been kept? Valid point. What I meant is information that is out in the open. The cad files by Defense Distributed where published intentionally. You need a North Korean style regime to significantly slow down the propagation of such material.

e12e 13y ago
Most places you're not allowed to carry a knife in crowds. Doesn't really matter if you've made it yourself or not.
- Dylan16807 13y ago
  You're not? I know some places ban very specific elements of 'knifes' that have nothing to do with how pokey they are for political reasons, but there are areas that actually ban having a knife?

michaelerule 13y ago

the only secrets are the secrets that keep themselves