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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
This is an important book. Maker's is basically a sequel to The Longtail. It's a deep look at what happens to the manufacturing (mostly in America) when physical manufacturing behaves like the digital world. If this book doesn't make you want to go out and buy a 3D printer or start putting together OpenHardware robots, I don't know what will.
Anderson's main point, about the new industrial revolution brought on by 3D printers and advanced online technology, is interesting, but I'm not sure a book this long was needed to make it.
Also, I hope I'm not too guilty of seeing everything through one lens, but Anderson's vision of the future -- with DIY designs sent online worldwide in search of the best manufacturer -- seems to rely on the continuance of cheap oil, with all that that implies for our earth and its economy.
Also, I hope I'm not too guilty of seeing everything through one lens, but Anderson's vision of the future -- with DIY designs sent online worldwide in search of the best manufacturer -- seems to rely on the continuance of cheap oil, with all that that implies for our earth and its economy.
Great summary of where the next world of boutique manufacturing is headed.
A little outdated but a very good introduction to the DIY maker industry and it's importance in the ever evolving field of manufacturing.
A glimpse of where we are heading, but by time you read this we may already be there.
So, there's a project spinning up locally called Innovation 5 that's all about 3-D production and maker culture. I figured I'd better read up on what that meant, so I found and checked out this book.
This was a pretty good catching-up on what's been happening and what some of the potential implications are. Anderson's biases (some boys-will-be-boys crap, hand-waving dismissal of environmental costs...) made me roll my eyes in some places. But it remained readable and interesting, and was even occasionally inspiring. For instance, I want a Maker-Bot. Now.
Accomplished its job.
This was a pretty good catching-up on what's been happening and what some of the potential implications are. Anderson's biases (some boys-will-be-boys crap, hand-waving dismissal of environmental costs...) made me roll my eyes in some places. But it remained readable and interesting, and was even occasionally inspiring. For instance, I want a Maker-Bot. Now.
Accomplished its job.
Interesting take on how 3D printing it going to dramatically impact the manufacturing economy was we currently think of it. Worthwhile read.
Disclaimer: I received this book free at GoodReads. Receiving a copy did not require me to write a review, and the free copy did not influence my opinion.
Makers is an important book in the same way that The Long Tail or The Tipping Point were important. Author Chris Anderson is a modern polymath, simultaneously serving as editor of Wired magazine, founder of a manufacturing company and taking over the popular TED conference series.
Anderson is a writer who lives on the bleeding edge. More than a decade at Wired and years at TED ensure he is constantly surrounded by thought leaders.
Makers delves into the nascent field of small businesses and individuals using 3-D printing technology that work in plastics and other materials to create things. Anderson traces the entire history of the movement, shares his vision for the future and profiles all parts of the maker ecosystem.
Readers will appreciate Anderson's deep knowledge and understanding of what makes this new manufacturing process the next big thing. And his projection is likely correct.
But as The Long Tail grew from an originally contentious magazine article and sprawled into a lazily edited book, Makers ultimately suffers from Anderson's storytelling style. Ultimately, this is a well researched story and too long by half.
The topic would make a brilliant long magazine piece or long TED talk. In its current form, it is too long for casual readers and too simplistic for early adopters of this new technology.
Makers is an important book in the same way that The Long Tail or The Tipping Point were important. Author Chris Anderson is a modern polymath, simultaneously serving as editor of Wired magazine, founder of a manufacturing company and taking over the popular TED conference series.
Anderson is a writer who lives on the bleeding edge. More than a decade at Wired and years at TED ensure he is constantly surrounded by thought leaders.
Makers delves into the nascent field of small businesses and individuals using 3-D printing technology that work in plastics and other materials to create things. Anderson traces the entire history of the movement, shares his vision for the future and profiles all parts of the maker ecosystem.
Readers will appreciate Anderson's deep knowledge and understanding of what makes this new manufacturing process the next big thing. And his projection is likely correct.
But as The Long Tail grew from an originally contentious magazine article and sprawled into a lazily edited book, Makers ultimately suffers from Anderson's storytelling style. Ultimately, this is a well researched story and too long by half.
The topic would make a brilliant long magazine piece or long TED talk. In its current form, it is too long for casual readers and too simplistic for early adopters of this new technology.
A good analysis of different aspects of the topic. I do believe the author glosses over some important points that might detract from his overall position. i.e. downplaying the skill needed to make a composite airplane. He claims anyone with a few saturdays could do it. Or claiming that the open source car is as good as any other. Anyone may be able to make something that looks like a plane, but creating the molds for, and curing the layup in such a way that delamination will not occur is not exactly a trivial feat. And the open source car is great, as long as you don't mind traveling with all of the normal safety features that have been mandatory in the automotive industry for several decades now.
But nonetheless, the book provides a cogent analysis of many facets of the maker movement and presents it in an accessible way. I would recommend the book to anyone interested in the topic.
But nonetheless, the book provides a cogent analysis of many facets of the maker movement and presents it in an accessible way. I would recommend the book to anyone interested in the topic.