Abstract

Diogenes' barrel
Is low-tech timeless? How high is "high" and how low is "low"? Is low-tech the next, higher level in the development of high-tech? This article is an introduction to the world of low-tech. "High-tech seems to be a self-corroborating superlative which needs no justification. Isn't perfecting technology an obvious consequence of the development of mankind, and actually of its natural evolution?
And then, isn't contradicting this thesis a dangerous heresy, a crime, or an absurd at best? This reminds me of Orwell's 1984, where a new language is created in which it is impossible to express ideas other than those propagated by the state. There are however those who have undermined the dogma of technological progress as the only value and measure of civilisation. They are believers in low-tech. Are they charlatans, loonies, and terrorists... or maybe they have something to say? What are they saying? It's strange. Another paradox: they are not saying anything different than the highest priests of high-tech. We hear words like sustainability, freedom, creativity from both sides... Some of them, however, will say that it's a computer that gives you freedom; others will claim that it's all about liberation from machines. Some will say that new software will make creativity even easier; others will opt for directness without excessive quantities of tools. Some will claim that their contact with the world is ensured by a cell phone; others will say that when you chuck it, you'll find friends. Who is right? Relativists are bound to say: 'everyone is right because everyone has different needs.' Let us not, however, go for the easiest solution available. Let's try to understand the phenomenon of low-tech."