Anti-surveillance bag (sort of)

thingiverse

This design was created for the "cutbag" competition and can be found at http://blog.makerbot.com/2011/03/14/twotimes-design-challenge-cardboard-bags/. The item aims to spark conversation around the increasing control that technology has beyond our reach, specifically highlighting the EURion constellation - an anti-counterfeiting pattern on many modern currencies recognized by software and copy machines, causing them to refuse printing or copying the currency. While counterfeit prevention is important, the object raises concerns about the idea of technology needing clearance from authorities before performing tasks. This issue is relevant to the 3D printing community as well. The design can be viewed directly and functions as a privacy-protection device by preventing photos from printing on certain devices or software. It also serves as a digital "opt-out" for personal image collection in some contexts. The design was inspired by Martin Backes' Pixelhead artwork and the EURion constellation is from a public-domain image. Updates include an added QR code file and an image of a hand-cut bonsai version. Instructions are provided to create the object using contrasting colored cardboard, with blue lines indicating engraving for locating rings and folds. Two alternate body & ring files are included, one with a single EURion constellation and the other with five arranged in a meta-constellation. Users are encouraged to comment if they experience issues with the "body" files related to the EURion constellation.