The planet is in a different mood altogether. We produce about 4% of the waste we did at the beginning of the century. Plastic products have been eradicated and it's illegal to extract oil. It's environment-friendly, ultra-low-cost and widely available for 9.8B people on earth. Reusable printing materials are considered a utility, just like electricity and the internet. Now we 3D print everything, from food to pills, from eyeglasses to solar panels. Not even the biggest merger in our field, Essilux, was able to survive. With the advancement of 3D printing, data capturing and home automation, the supply chain of the early 2000s was simply too expensive to survive as a business. The eyeglasses manufacturing industry succumbed to the global supply chain revolution: Everything is made locally and, generally, at the user's own house. What a waste… Products don't come from China anymore. We used to ship them from big factories across the sea. Today, all eyeglasses (frames, lenses, and contact lenses) are 3D printed at home for not more than 30 cents. Peter: "30 years in and you still can't understand my jokes, hah? What's that for *intelligence*?". You will be free from glasses when you pass away." I guess I will need glasses even on my grave.". Peter: "You are right! This is more comfortable. "Now tell me if this isn't better to read". The titanium version won't go well with your dress, tonight. "Please try the titanium first", it insists, as I wear the first option. Peter, but you are now holding books 1.5 inches further away from your eyes than 6 months ago", Morgan justifies. Morgan: "Not only you are 59 years old, Dr. "Tell me again, why do I need new glasses, Morgan?" My AI assistant just decided to 3D print new glasses…
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