What if you could copy a physical object as easily as you copy a digital file now?

I was reading an article on 3D printing today and thinking about all of the things already at thingiverse for the makerbot.

Now imagine if you had a 3D scanner on your smartphone that allowed you to scan objects and print them off. You could share these files with other people and other people could share with you. Let’s say a 3D printers cost about what ink-on-paper printers cost right now and could use a variety of materials.

How would that change your life? How would that change society?

Need to replace a broken part? Print a new one. Kid is bored with legos? Print some new pieces for him. Daughter needs help with a science project? Print some planetary models. Want something that doesn’t exist anywhere? Create it and print it off. Like something that your neighbor has? Print one for yourself.