Have you heard of #additivism? It’s part call-to-revolution, part playful thought experiment, part-technological challenge, and it’s something that will get your heart racing about the implications of additive manufacturing technology. Yet to be convinced? Check out the additivist manifesto video — if the provocative philosophy doesn’t wow you, the lists of bizarre demands will.
Radical Notion: 3D printer
While the intensity and confrontational style of this manifesto might not be everyone’s newly-printed PLA cup of tea, it’s worth your time to consider the implications of 3D printing. Take a look at history and consider the impact of Gutenberg’s printing press. Any tool capable of such a radical shift in production is inherently revolutionary. Where the printing press turned ideas into shareable documents, additive manufacturing turns digital design into physical object. That means creation can happen faster. We’re replacing physical molds of past industry with digital, 3D-printable files. That kind of democratization of our commodities means changes to the social, cultural, and even political landscape.
A Democratic Invention
3D manufacturing means all objects have the potential to be customizable on a global scale. Think about it — that’s the perfect space for the ideals of individual creativity which are vital to democracy. Although you’ve seen plenty of 3D-printed “lifehacks” on Facebook, this technology is more than that. 3D printers arm people with a tool to assert themselves in the world around them. It’s DIY for everyday people. It doesn’t stop at amatuers, of course: it also offers a multitude of infrastructure benefits through its implementation in places like the construction industry.
Adding a Little More
Additivism is about accelerating the 3D printing technology to its limits. Maybe the creators of additivism (Morehshin Allahyari and Daniel Rourke) have too much fun with their self-proclaimed “accelerationism.” But it gets the 3D technology conversation going in an incredible, provocative direction. It’s the kind of discussion we need to be having as additive manufacturing blossoms into maturity. And that’s coming: although innovators have been playing with the idea of 3D printing since the 1980’s, we’ve only had personal 3D printers since 2009. Already in the last decade, the 3D-printer-inspired creativity from people around the globe is shocking. We’ve been busy designing and printing toys, gadgets, and tools to entertain and aid. Architects, students, engineers, manufacturers, dentists, doctors… So, if you aren’t too weirded-out, why not play around? There’s even a free 3D “additivist cookbook.” Go ahead, get revolutionary.
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