Almost everything is said and is being discussed as far as 3D printing is concerned if you refer to tech sites and blogs but as soon as you dig deeper into it and start analyzing its impact on the global economy and manufacturing space; things start to turn hazy.
Firstly most of the factories and industrial complexes would face closure in emerging markets as well as in the US because of 3D printing taking over the global manufacturing scene which eventually would happen sooner or later though.
But there is a bigger question which we need to think over which might or might not get discussed in the near future which is
Are we willing to take such a great leap in terms of technology?
3D printing coupled with robotics in next 200 years can effectively render the industrial complexes and industries obsolete which in turn might make physical labor a thing of the past and this might have huge implications on our current socio-economic order and employment patterns therefore frankly speaking maybe this is the real reason the policymakers, as well as corporations, are taking things gradually because they do understand this game-changing technology and its impact better than us and as it is said in the movie "Man of Steel" that "world is not ready for it yet" or we can think that Chinese can still do it in a cheaper and in a more humane way even if that sounds a bit metaphorical in away.
However, the technology is still not there yet but should eventually evolve and graduate to Mall like manufacturing plants were semi-customized electronic goods, as well as household products, could be designed and manufactured on spot for the customers.
Maybe you and I will not see the light of that day until of course, you live in an environment controlled penthouse with bio-engineered food intake and regular organ transplants which should hopefully enable you to live on until the turn of 22nd or 23rd century.
This might be noted that the above article is a part of tech-speculation.
