Here's some Lyddle End 2050 news for all you speculative modellers. To start with, more people have already finished. Max has just emailled me a shot of the Tuck Shop Fabricator and this splendid blurb:
In 2050, the permanent and nomadic residents of Lyddle End use the community Fabricator to build whatever they need. They do their paperwork and receive legal advice in the Tuck Shop, the owner of which can deliver a very personal service. (people still like to go to the shops.)
Nanotech/ Biotech agreements between Asia and Europe mean that creation at the atomic level is now possible. This photo shows the local butcher building a pig. (Those that eat meat still like to have it cut from something previously sentient, rather than the petri-pork that has replaced tofu.)
This is an early model fabricator. It needs to assemble from other matter. Absorbtion rods at the back suck C02 from the air (cleaning the planet) for raw material and re-sculpt this matter on the fab-deck. Other 'fabs' resculpt landfill or rock - but recycling the Earth's mess is obviously the priority.There are no Home fabricators (legally) - the act of creation cannot yet happen in a small or enclosed space.
Each community fabricator is named after the first thing made. This one is called Dodo.
Alan's also done an incredible milk-producing cow tree to sit along side his cottage. And there are people thinking and planning in Photoshop, really interesting, thoughtful stuff. You can keep up with all the developments at the Tumblr thing.
Which of course will be frustrating for those of you who haven't even got your models yet. I'm fully seized of the need to address this and am on the case. Lauren is very kindly sorting out models for those in Australia and I've found an online shop that will do North America for me. And I'll get some envelopes for everyone else. Or, of course, you could get your own.