I'm in a somewhat awkward position myself, being an engineer type but also having animist tendencies 😓 I'd be fine with computers, for example, if they were designed platonically (without ulterior motives); but that obviously can't happen on the hardware side. (I do at least run free software whenever available, and stay away from DRM.)
I can't quite call myself a “successful” environmentalist (nor a successful animist, having insufficient contact with nature); but I do strive for high quality and minimum complexity in the devices I own, and I repair whenever feasible (I even fixed up a previous incompetent repair attempt in an old amplifier I saved from the trash).
In and of itself, I don't mind that humans are an environmental burden; the salient question, I guess, is if we can keep that impact low enough for our existence to be worthwhile (needless to say that the modern world doesn't). I like this article as well: https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2018/01/bedazzled-by-energy-efficiency.html The problem is largely that while modern technology can perform some tasks more‑efficiently, it has no built-in limiting principle (and the populace can't and won't agree on a voluntary limit). I try to be both efficient and sufficient myself, now living in a small minimalist unit (which only takes a few hundred watts to keep warm).
I will admit that some higher technologies do have important benefits besides productivity and “efficiency”; I begrudgingly ended up with an inverter-driven fridge in my unit, but it is also quieter (acoustically at least) than the old plain AC motors. I can be fairly sure it won't last more than 20 years (with 10 being more realistic), but even the remaining AC fridges aren't built to last that long anyway… If anything I actually now have higher average quality among my smaller items than the large appliances (now that I've worked out which small appliances are better-built), even if it's sad to admit.
As much as I'd like to get more in touch with other people, my Asperger's traits put many of them off (which is ironic when it's neurotypicals who unquestioningly accept the unnatural status quo) and most of the remainder have insufficient intelligence and/or generally unhelpful attitudes. So I'm still a little bit of a tech-slave, although I pulled out of IT once my disillusionment in it peaked…
I guess I'm lucky that Australia has a stronger DIY culture than the rest of the West, at least.
Awesome ramblings once again David and I love the detail you've put into your decision making and logic. I certainly don't feel any smugness, just an awe that you both live the way you do. You are a massive inspiration to us and I feel you've chosen the right path
I'm in a somewhat awkward position myself, being an engineer type but also having animist tendencies 😓 I'd be fine with computers, for example, if they were designed platonically (without ulterior motives); but that obviously can't happen on the hardware side. (I do at least run free software whenever available, and stay away from DRM.)
I can't quite call myself a “successful” environmentalist (nor a successful animist, having insufficient contact with nature); but I do strive for high quality and minimum complexity in the devices I own, and I repair whenever feasible (I even fixed up a previous incompetent repair attempt in an old amplifier I saved from the trash).
In and of itself, I don't mind that humans are an environmental burden; the salient question, I guess, is if we can keep that impact low enough for our existence to be worthwhile (needless to say that the modern world doesn't). I like this article as well: https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2018/01/bedazzled-by-energy-efficiency.html The problem is largely that while modern technology can perform some tasks more‑efficiently, it has no built-in limiting principle (and the populace can't and won't agree on a voluntary limit). I try to be both efficient and sufficient myself, now living in a small minimalist unit (which only takes a few hundred watts to keep warm).
I will admit that some higher technologies do have important benefits besides productivity and “efficiency”; I begrudgingly ended up with an inverter-driven fridge in my unit, but it is also quieter (acoustically at least) than the old plain AC motors. I can be fairly sure it won't last more than 20 years (with 10 being more realistic), but even the remaining AC fridges aren't built to last that long anyway… If anything I actually now have higher average quality among my smaller items than the large appliances (now that I've worked out which small appliances are better-built), even if it's sad to admit.
As much as I'd like to get more in touch with other people, my Asperger's traits put many of them off (which is ironic when it's neurotypicals who unquestioningly accept the unnatural status quo) and most of the remainder have insufficient intelligence and/or generally unhelpful attitudes. So I'm still a little bit of a tech-slave, although I pulled out of IT once my disillusionment in it peaked…
I guess I'm lucky that Australia has a stronger DIY culture than the rest of the West, at least.
You write what I think and feel myself :)
Awesome ramblings once again David and I love the detail you've put into your decision making and logic. I certainly don't feel any smugness, just an awe that you both live the way you do. You are a massive inspiration to us and I feel you've chosen the right path