Global Reconstruction of Artifacts and Bygones (G.R.A.B)

thingiverse

Although touted as altruistic, the true motives and purpose of Global Reconstruction of Artifacts and Bygones (G.R.A.B.), a multinational entity, remain unclear. Established in 2016, G.R.A.B. is a state-level organization tasked with creating three-dimensional digital copies of the world's cultural artifacts and bygones. G.R.A.B. emerged onto the global stage in the early twenty-first century in response to growing concerns about heritage sites being destroyed by war and environmental disasters. Disregarding criticism of cultural colonialism and intellectual property theft, G.R.A.B. embarked on a global campaign to identify and locate iconic pieces of sculpture and architecture. Equipped with a hit list of must-have items, G.R.A.B.'s agents were dispatched worldwide to 3D scan and digitally capture these artifacts and bygones. Working in partnership with the armed forces of the world's superpowers, G.R.A.B. was able to embed its scanning equipment on various platforms. As a result, G.R.A.B. can record the capture of important cultural works, sometimes moments before their destruction. Once captured, G.R.A.B.'s agents transmit the three-dimensional data directly to secure facilities around the world and onward to orbital fabrication platforms. According to a leaked slide presentation, while G.R.A.B. is purportedly backing up cultural treasures from around the world as a hedge against catastrophe, for whose benefit this is being undertaken remains unclear. The hardened facilities illustrated in the slide are far removed from urban centers, and the artifacts archived there are inaccessible at best. The orbital and space-based platforms are even further removed from the general populace. While G.R.A.B.'s efforts to preserve heritage are commendable, the cost and resources deployed in this endeavor could surely be used more effectively, mitigating the delinquent effects of climate change or alleviating encroaching trauma.