Like Toy Soldiers

The other day I came across this video. It's about this young american, Cody Wilson (24), who's trying to design, in the computer, gun models printable in any 3D printer around the world. The implications of this, when project succeeds, will be enormous. Experts estimate that in a few decades having a 3D printer at home will be as common as owning a desktop is today. Imagine what it would be like to just google "Assault rifle printer model" and, a few minutes later, having one coming out right in front of you.

 The idealist calls himself a crypto-anarchist, and was considered one of the world's fifteen most dangerous man by the prestigious Wire magazine. Watching the video one gets the impression of a bright young student who, although completely aware of the consequences of his actions, seems strangely indifferent to them. For some reason it reminded me of the kid from Chronicle. It's startling how someone can realise that his work will be putting dangerous guns on the hands of twelve years old kids, and say it with a smile like it is something extremely interesting.

One has to wonder whether this has to do with the way killing is getting easier and easier. I'd say most people, even when angered beyond reason, wouldn't be able to stab another to death. But pulling a trigger? Or pressing a button on a computer screen? Hardly as challenging. Not to mention the loads of movies, books, series and computer games where the lead character is in happy trigger mode 24/7.

Whether it happens in 5, 10 or 50 years time it is clear there will come a time where guns will be accessible to anyone. And at this point Cody is definitely right: society does need to accept that and come up with solutions for it. It will be hard to walk the streets carelessly when you're aware anyone can draw a gun and shoot you dead in a second. Even worse, I'd worry about young children shooting their friends for stealing a chocolate bar, or loosing a footbal match. This is not Cody Wilson's fault; if not him, others would surely carry out the same work. But the question remain: how can a 24 years old american man be so insensible to such a future?


Filipe Baptista de Morais