The Neo Renaissance of Animation

I’m sure my readers are expecting to hear about more animators, and you will, but not just yet.  I’d like to take time to discuss exactly what I’m trying to get across in this blog, and fair warning; it’s some pretty heady stuff.

First of all, the word “neo” means “new,” making it clear that the main focus of this blog is the future, and that’s exactly what I’d like to talk about.  Specifically, I’d like to tell you a bit about quantum theory and nano-technology.  You might be wondering what, if anything, these topics have to do with animation; I’ll get to that.  Quantum theory is a branch of modern physics, routed in Einstein’s theories of the unified field and special relativity.  It’s basically the study of very small things, like atoms and their components.  As technology and our understanding has progressed, we’ve made major breakthroughs in this field, allowing us to measure the movements and behaviors of sub-atomic particles, resulting in the opening of many doors for physicists and scientists to explore.  One such door leads to nano-technology, which is the term given to any machines built on the nano scale (one nanometer is approximately ten atoms across).

One particular nano-tech being developed today originated in the field of computers, but has since lead to far grander projects.  This technology is called nano-dots.  These dots are basically nano-scale circuits, capable of regulating the amount of electrons they contain at any given moment.  If you are familiar with particle physics, you know what this means; it means they can create synthetic atoms from silicon and monotonic gold.  The practical applications for this are limitless.  These synthetic atoms can be used in the same ways as natural atoms, though they behave slightly differently, thus the scientists working on these nano-dots at MIT are currently devoting a lot of effort to figuring out just how to utilize them.  The inevitable result (which we will see in our lifetimes, probably as soon as the next 10-20 years), is something straight out of Star Trek, item synthesis.  The eventual product of this technology would be a small unit, likely the size of a microwave or a vending machine, controlled by a personal computer, which can be programmed to produce any material, from food and clothing, to computer parts and weapons.  If coupled with free energy from fusion, solar, wind, mercury, or geothermal, this device would effectively make every individual sovereign.

You might still be wondering what this has to do with the field of animation.  The main reason traditional animation has fallen in favor of computer-based is because of the cost of materials, and with this item synthesis device, all costs are negated.  This would obviously effect more than just the animators, it would change the entire economy and way of life worldwide.  Without the need to buy products, the main drive of the economy will soon be entertainment.  With access to unlimited tools and supplies, any animator would most likely choose to use the traditional means over the new, because nothing digital compares to the quality of hand-drawn and painted cell animation.

The renaissance that would follow the release of this technology would be palpable, and global.  This is the neo renaissance for which my blog is titled.  Above I’ll provide a short video clip regarding this new technology.