Yesterday, I picked these up from the Edmonton Public Library. These are my first experiments in 3D printing, which is one of the many technologies likely to dramatically change the world economy in the next few years.
The plastic used at the library is PLA, which is apparently biodegradable and made from corn. This could become important when every household starts manufacturing hundreds of plastic tools, toys, and other objects.
These objects represent more than just a technological curiosity. New innovations in 3D printing are allowing for objects to be created out of multiple materials, and they are rapidly getting faster and cheaper. One company called 3D Systems claims they can manufacture plastic objects faster than injection moulding, the current cutting-edge for mass manufacturing.
These objects also represent what I've decided to do with the next few months of my life.
A big problem that I've encountered during my recent job hunt is the fact that I plan to go to Victoria for the winter (January and February). It's hard to apply for a job knowing that I plan to disappear in a few months.
At the same time, I've been diving into education in a big way, what with French classes, an AI course, and Toastmasters. Given what I've learned about how the economy is likely to be disrupted in the next few years, I feel it is strategically important to educate myself in critical areas like AI, programming, and communication.
The result is a plan I'm calling "Self-University". I've put together a tuition budget of about $16,000--which I can finance without risking financial security--as well as a list of objectives:
- Complete the Stanford AI course
- Continue French language training (complete 2 courses, counting the one I am in)
- Create a YouTube Channel and professional blog called A Point On The Wave
- Learn C# and continue to work on the game project with my friends
- Maintain my health and wellness (using this blog, Not Quite Ninja)
This budget gives me living expenses through to the end of March and buys me plane tickets to and from Victoria. I'll emerge with some programming skills, AI skills, and communication skills--a good start to making my skills valuable in a time of increasing automation. I'll also be able to turn A Point On The Wave into a portfolio piece, something this blog is not ideal for. And who knows, the game project may also start to pick up at that point.
Most importantly, I'll get to spend another great winter with Mark, Karen, and Luna while taking care of my health and learning lots of new things.
Life is, and will be, good.
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