Tech degrowth is a process
2023-10-27
Progressing to a simpler life takes time, more than anything.
It's been a little over a year now since I've started to be fully aware of the wasteful and energy intensive life I was living. Some things that are just normal now seemed ludicrous back then. And I am acutely conscious of the fact that I'm not actually doing anything drastic yet.
Examples:
Our microwave oven kicked the bucket a few months ago and we simply haven't replaced it. Re-heating leftover food on the electric stove probably isn't saving any electricity compared to the microwave (I have a suspicion it costs more energy) but it is one less “thing” in our home that will only partially recycled at the end of its life. Plus we have some reclaimed space on the kitchen counter which we really value.
Our dishwasher still works but we're not using it either, same for the clothes dryer. We went through last winter without ever needing the dryer and somehow we just stopped using the dishwasher. Washing dirty dishes by hand (we're a two adult household) is _no_ big deal whatsoever and it gives us some more time to talk and just be with each other.
We switched off the TV one evening after finishing the last episode of a nondescript Netflix series and haven't switched it back on since. Its been unplugged from the wall for a while now and I'm certain the remote is dead. We used to eat dinner watching Netflix or some other stream and we do enjoy good entertainment. But now we spend time talking about our days, make plans for the upcoming days and simply _be_ with each other.
I barely switch on the second monitor on my computer anymore. With tmux in place and generally me working mostly with commandline programs, the need to see two screens at the same time is much less.
My company forced me to get a new company phone the other week. Apparently my 4 year old iphone will stop receiving updates. I politely told them that I had just gotten an update a few days before their request and that a one day batterylife is plenty since I'm spending 80% of my workdays at home.
But no, I had to get a new one. When I asked whether we have something like a Fairphone or similar alternatives to pick from I only received empty stares. Only Samsung or Apple devices. Grmpf. Apple it is then. I'm not happy with either company but I'd rather not have GoogleOS, thank you very much.
I'm seriously considering spending some of my energy to join the “green and social” initiative we have to make a change there.
Buying local produce and valuing quality over price is another thing. Local food produce is the thing everyone thinks about first. But there is more. I have a leather laptop slingbag for work. It feels good to use it. One of the hoops that hold the shoulder straps snapped the other day. So I found a local leatherworker and gave the bag for repair. It cost me 50 € to get it done, plus three hours with public transport to bring and take the bag. Totally worth it. The bag is fantastic and the craftsman did an awesome job. That new hoop will probably outlive me. Not only did I get to keep a piece of equipment I really enjoy, I did a small part in keeping a local artisan in business and had a very interesting chat with him.
For 50 € I can easily get a nylon slingbag made in China and moved halfway across the globe while paying Amazon. No thanks.
Anyway, what is my message here? We all can change something in our lives toward degrowth. The first steps probably won't be drastic. But they'll put something into motion, form a new normal, from which we'll take another step. And another. I'm very certain that this a way forward we can all take.
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