Let’s examine the pieces of the puzzle, before we fit them together

100% Internet coverage

This one is a no-brainer. By using satellites, balloons or similar, we will be able to easily connect to the internet from anywhere. Which also means access to all the knowledge, all our connections…

VR

Combine the above with VR, and you won’t even have to move from your room to explore the world. Unsatisfied with the current VR experience? Fear not. Maybe DARPA’s cortical modem will solve your needs. See, feel, smell like you are wherever, from your couch. Welcome to the Matrix.

3D printing and/or biohacking

Maybe the most important component for the self-sustaining model. A 3D printer that can replicate itself and also create clothing and building material like stuff and also working gadgets. Seems like sci-fi? There are already ongoing experiments to solve self replication. Obviously, for 3D printing you need special material. But what if you could take common organic material (like grass…) and use it to build stuff? (This reminds me to put biohacking and 3D printing on my learning list…)

Transport

You want to go somewhere, or to deliver something? Matternet will satisfy your needs. But why would you even want to travel or transport anything, if you can print all the physical stuff you need, and access anybody, any place via VR?

Renewable energy

Another no-brainer. Just buy a mobile solar or wind cell, and you can pretty much power your 3D printer and all the gadgets you printed for yourself. Ohh, and did you hear that we might even have solar cells that we can 3D print?

Personalized medicine

Worried that you will get sick? Just take advantage of long distance medicine, then print your personalised drugs. Easy peasy.

In-vitro food

Of course it would be nice to have access to healthy, tasty food. Thank God, soon we will be able to grow meat (can’t be more disgusting than how sausage is made today). And growing vegetables in small places is already working. And if you are into bugs, there’s a machine just for you.