Tag: Low tech

Counting on … day 44

3rd March 2025

Most new technology seeks to reduce the effort needed to complete a task. This can mean automation or semi automation, and often leads to a reduction in job opportunities. Sometimes we might as a society wish to reflect on this: would it be better to have more manual jobs and less unemployment?  Would it be better to have hand made bread rather than factory made bread? And if so would we be prepared to pay more for our bread? (Interestingly we have in recent years been willing to pay more for hand-made cups of coffee.)

Would it be better to sweep roads with brooms rather than with motorised road sweeping vehicles? Might this be cheaper as it would not require electricity to recharge the vehicle? 

Would it be cheaper than the contribution made through taxes for unemployment benefit?

(Returning to coffee – are taxes being used to pay benefits to those on low pay eg baristas)

Counting on … day 43

28th February 2025

Many products that are made and sold are designed to replace manual power with electrical power, whilst at the same time health advice is that we should increase our physical activity to maintain our health. From experience I know that using a washing machine is very much easier and less time consuming that washing by hand – and ensures a quicker drying time – so I would always prefer to have washing machine. But are there some activities that we could as easily and as beneficially perform manually? A broom to sweep the path? A dustpan and brush to sweep the stairs? Secateurs to clip the bush? A ballon whisk for batters?

Hand power is satisfying and gives me a greater sense of independence and control.

Counting on … day 42

27th February 2025

Manufacturers are good at promoting the efficiency and desirability of their next household tool or appliance. But if we buy each one, will we have room to store them – will our work surfaces be big enough? Do we need soup makers, and icecream makers, bread makers, yogurt makers etc? Could we not use equipment we already have?  A saucepan for soup, a freezer for icecream or a mixing bowl for bread?

Counting on … day 41

26th February 2025

Years ago in Zimbabwe, I saw heated coasters being sold for coffee mugs. Sometimes technological advances offer us things we really don’t need!  On other occasions technology gives us easier or faster tools when actually we could without too much inconvenience, continue with the pre-exiting tools. Electric coffee grinders are fast but is that a saving that automatically outweighs the hand grinder? Are mini vacuum cleaners really more efficient than a dustpan and brush? 

Counting on … day 38

24th February 2025

Recently I read an article promoting Low Tech as a better means to achieving a sustainable global economy. The logic would be that whilst electric cars are a better alternative to petrol cars because they produce less greenhouse gas emissions, bicycles for short journeys and trains for longer journeys would be more sustainable in terms of resources used and pollution created. And as a plus, encouraging active travel would benefit people’s health and reduce medical costs.

https://theconversation.com/low-technology-why-sustainability-doesnt-have-to-depend-on-high-tech-solutions-176611?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=bylinecopy_url_button