Christoph BeckerApr 10, 2024

Proposal to call

#HighTech: technology that has proven itself to be ecological, useful, and (relatively) harmless; technology that has evolved and been simplified over time so that it is widely accessible, benign, indispensable. For example the bicycle, heat pumps, trains...

#LowTech: newly emerging technology that has not been proven to be ecological, useful, and benign, tech that is still volatile, possibly toxic, possibly just fake

Wouldn't that be nice?
#ConvivialTechnology #degrowth #ai

Show threadEd SummersApr 10, 2024
@cbecker totally! I hadn't noticed the class hierarchy built into these terms before: e.g. upper/lower classes. I wonder if that's part of low-tech's appeal, in how it draws attention to, and subverts the domination of powerful interests?
Show threadChristoph Becker

@edsu
An escape from class domination sounds like a good reason to be appealing!

I’m also thinking generally about Lakoff&Johnson’s points on the metaphor “up is good”. Common terminology illustrates what culture elevates. Flipping it is a little act of subversive resistance. It’s jarring because the alternative hierarchy is built on alternative values and the conflict becomes visible…

#TechOtherwise

Apr 10, 2024 at 1:59pmWeb