I just finished reading a nice article in the Science & Technology section @ Scientific American.com by George Johnson on the concept of A Customer Base of One. The idea is that there are folks out there that are attempting to create tabletop fabrication labs with plasma cutters and such that would create a device based upon a series of computer inputs. The devices are purported to be as complex as remote controls or computer hardware.

The concept is a fantastic one that seems to be out of Star Trek. However, according to Mr. Johnson... the day is coming. I think he's right. However, I think we'll see something else surface first. While I believe that there is something to be said for a device that will create stuff... part of the great pride that is derived from making stuff is from... well... making it. If I could simply describe a computer program... and *poof* it appeared... it wouldn't be quite the same sense of pride that I have from actually writing the program itself. Personal fabricators aim at letting you manufacture your own products. I think that as plasma cutters and other similar devices used for manufacturing become cheaper... we'll see communities develop around such tools. Groups of artisans will pool around a couple of tools... each of which can be used to make a multitude of things. Of course,... as you work in any sort of collaboration like this... there does need to be a sense that the tragedy of the commons is being prevented.

How can this type of collaboration be achieved? How can it be encouraged? As a rather recent home-owner... I have run across literally 100 different tools that have been/would be usefull around the house. Some of them require some degree of skill and practice to use while others can be used easily by watching their function for just a few moments. If I were to purchase all of them, it would likely cost more than my house cost us! However, if I collaborate w/ my neighbors to purchase the tools that they don't have... and we enter into agreements to share tools... it becomes a viable proposition to be able to "have everything". Take it a step further and discuss the idea of collaborating in knowledge. One of my neighbors, for instance, was a roofer for a while. Meanwhile, I know a great deal about wiring for voice and data networks. If we were to work together, I could help him to rewire his home for voice and data while he could help me with the roofing on my house. Doing this could literally save tens of thousands of dollars. One of the beauties of this comes in tax season. If assistance is rendered as a gift instead of as a service, with no clear or direct translation of assistance... it is not barter. Instead... it is a series of gifts that are provided. Now, to my knowledge, there is no taxable element of "doing something for somebody". Ah... well... interesting stuff.