On Technology and Culture.

My response to a friend by e-mail---talking about technology:

On technology? I think that any technology that brings us together, and uses very little energy, is worth promoting. Computers, Laptops, Ipods, the Internet: all are worthy. As citizens, I think we need to be a bit more discriminatory of technology. The Luddites had it right. Large Scale Industrialism may well be the death of us as a species.

So, as a citizen, how do I promote the appropriate technology that is gentle on the Earth, enhances life, promotes community? We are going to need some factories. But I hope for a return to more artisanally produced products. As for our work life? It seems to me that most of us need to be in the service and agricultural sectors. We should make less stuff--and the stuff we do make should have a socially useful function.

Things we need more of:

Organic Farmers.
Mom and Pop Restaurants.
Products that enhance information.
Public Libraries.
Unions.
A 20 hour Workweek.
Public Space.
Gardens.
Greenhouses.
Free Time.
Solar Panels.
Wind Turbines.
Public Transportation.
Ice Boxes.
Agricultural Products other than the five subsidized by Government.
Local Cheeses.
Local Foods.
Goats.
Herbs.
Walks.
Compost.
Dinner with friends and family.
Wilderness.
Birds.
Humility.
Books.
Railroads.
Beer and Wine.
Fruit Trees.
Home canning.
Pantries.
Medicare for all.
A Guaranteed Basic Income.
Gravel Roads.
Bikes.
Fresh Air.
Kindness.
Micro Logging.
Local Economies.
Birth Control.
Sleep.
Inexpsensive Travel.
Hostels.
Public Education.

Things we need less of:

Gadgets.
Most things made in a factory.
Anything put in a Container Ship.
Fast Food Restaurants.
Chain Restaurants.
Coal and Nuclear Power Plants.
Clothes made more than 500 miles away.
Corporations with more than 1,000 employees.
Military Spending.
702 Foreign Military Bases.
Day Planning Books.
Cell Phones.
No Trespassing Signs.
Hate.
Food Stamps.
Full Time Jobs.
Employer Health care.
Commercials.
Billboards.
Fast Cars.
Meals consumed in a car.
Pesticides and Oil Based Agriculture.
Ego.
Paved Roads--especially Interstate Highways.
Road kill.
Fox News.
Large Closets.
401 K's.
Bottled Water.
Two Buck Chuck.
Clear Cutting and Salvage Logging.
Free Trade.
Hyatts and Hiltons.
Copyright Laws.
Large Families.
Lawns.
Houses over 1000 Square Feet.
Garages.
Feed Corn.
Homeschooling.

This would be a start of my list... And you? What would be on your list?