You know, I finally got into 3D printing after putting it off for years, and I think you’re right. Part of why I was hesitant to start was that all tech is just expensive here in Lebanon, and it’s not always easy to source good filament that hasn’t been slurping moisture in a shop for five years.

I was watching a video by a (seemingly American) channel I wasn’t very familiar with, and he just dropped a “here in Israel, due to the war, we haven’t been able to…” very casually before complaining about something “war-related” that I experience all the time. Maybe electrical blackouts, or interrupted shipping, or lack of parts, or whatever. But he was still showing new products, was still getting free stuff from sponsors… huh. I don’t necessarily have anything against him as a person, but it was weird to see how easy it was for him. Most online shops don’t ship here. I know from some friends who do YouTube as a side thing that even shitty little scam sponsors won’t touch you if you send them wire instructions for a Lebanese bank. So, I don’t know. I frankly don’t think it’s that bad, I haven’t seen too many (vocal) genocide fans. There might just be a proportionally large 3D printing scene there.

Now the crypto bro stuff… That’s a whole thing. Right as crypto was becoming something my parents would ask me about, a lot of non-technical people around me were taking up roles in fintech. Think CS graduates you’d expect to work in technical but not super difficult job. This was in the middle of an economic abyss here so you know people were getting taken advantage of and getting paid in “digital assets” or whatever. And these guys would proudly call themselves Web3 professionals or founders etc. These were the same guys who should know better because they understand what crypto actually is, but they were (or at least pretended to be) drinking the Kool-Aid. And that terrified me - and it also helped me understand the clear distinction between a “tech bro” and an actual “tech person” (and actual “bros” in tech - which do exist and don’t suck ass!)

This was also around the time I started reading a bit of HN, where I also found these tech-related takes that were very different from how I saw the world. The folks around me in tech that I was friends with tended to be more anarchist-flavored. I don’t use HN at all now.

One thing I despise about the 3D printing “scene” now is the huge volume of print farm slop. I’ll be watching a video on YouTube about something basic like how to counteract ringing on my printer. The algorithm then doesn’t just suggest more beginner tuning and cool experimental stuff, oh no. It suggests videos about print farms, often run by people who are clearly not technical/enthusiasts. They just have walls of machines pumping out objects I couldn’t fathom anyone buying. Like I’ve used a commercial 3D printing service before for prototyping, print farms have a place (especially if I want to print in a material that would be risky or hard to print at home), but like generic looking little vases? Why? There’s also all the low quality models people pump out, and apparently maker fairs are having trouble with people selling generic prints and undercutting handmade stuff… Like maybe if you’re there to model stuff for someone, that’s great, but this isn’t it.

This is why I was sure I found the right instance when one of the key things that resonated with me in the signup process was something about not wanting to monetize hobbies. And I think that’s what separates those people from me. I can enjoy things because I enjoy them. My hobbies belong to me.

So fuck the vultures because those people are always going to suck the marrow out of any good tech. The grifters will always be there before you, any time something new becomes useful. I’ve also found that the 3D printing community has also been very diligent in making sure companies contribute to open source ever since the RepRap big bang of modern printing, and that most people you meet tend to be cool folks who print cool stuff. There’s a lot of good, too.