Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Casey B. Head's avatar

Nature does not rush, yet everything gets done. Technology speeds up our activities. But we do not let a time savings create space in our days. Instead it is on to the next task, and the one after, and that is what feels unnatural.

Expand full comment
Tim Bauman's avatar

I liked Wendell Berry’s standards for technological innovation. Hard to follow but good to measure any new technology against:

1. The new tool should be cheaper than the one it replaces.

2. It should be at least as small in scale as the one it replaces.

3. It should do work that is clearly and demonstrably better than the one it replaces.

4. It should use less energy than the one it replaces.

5. If possible, it should use some form of solar energy, such as that of the body.

6. It should be repairable by a person of ordinary intelligence, provided that he or she has the necessary tools.

7. It should be purchasable and repairable as near to home as possible.

8. It should come from a small, privately owned shop or store that will take it back for maintenance and repair.

9. It should not replace or disrupt anything good that already exists, and this includes family and community relationships.

Expand full comment
20 more comments...

No posts