Bruce Sterling's annual State of the World address

Bruce Sterling's annual "State of the World" interview on the WELL with Jon Lebkowsky is underway and roaring along, as Chairman Bruce sets out the stuff he's watching and thinking about. These are always a great way to end the year and start a new one, and this one is no exception.

#1. The 3d printer guys. Just so interesting! Gotta love them!
There's a classic little tech-development boom happening in this space.
It's very old-school desktop 1980s.

I rather expect to get one of these devices some day soon. Here in
Belgrade, I just wrapped up and shelved a perfectly functional desktop
computer — just because it was old, and I don't need it. With
desktop computers so clunky and obsolete, I've got room for a 3d
printer now. "I got rid of a computer for Xmas" is the new "I got a
computer for Xmas." "I got a 3dprinter" is the new hipster
desk-ornamenting knick-knack.

Of course it's not that you own a printer, it's what you print with
it. That's why I watch open databases like "Thingiverse" with more
interest than the printing devices themselves.

#2. Koreans. 2012 was all about K-pop and Samsung. Who can't
admire these two mushrooming efflorescences of Korean soft power and
Korean hard manufacturing? They're the New 1980s Japan.

#3. Indians. Bollywood has long been a hobbyhorse of mine, but 2012
was the first year in which I formally interviewed a Bollywood star —
for a pricey Swiss magazine, no less. In 2012, Indian cinema was
making unprecedented amounts of money. There's been an unheard-of
stream of Indian box-office smashes, and there are plenty more in the
hopper. The various Bollywoodians I'm following definitely feel the
wind at their backs. Some of the younger artistes are getting all
voice-of-a-generation about themselves.

They're not just selling the usual masala movie rubbish, either. A
player like Aamir Khan here seems to be methodically working his way
into Ronald Reagan territory. Aamir Khan's all backlit-patriot after
playing heroes in his movies. Look at the extensive phone and digital
tie-ins here. Pretty snazzy.