Would you trade modern technologies and the hardships they bring for a local sustainable community based life?

Question

A life with less luxuries?

of course I am aware of the hardships that come with a local lifestyle.

da3rdxsacharm: it's sad that you see cell phones and tv as progess... if anything those two technologies have dissolved community the most. geez.

Answer 1

Interesting question. For those who have not experienced life without modern technology I believe the question would be hard for them to gauge.

Yes I would, we as human beings are social creatures and the essence of who we are is based primarily on our relationships.

Technology has its advantages however it is not a cure all. In our technological age we are depleting our fossil fuels. We are impacting the global climate with our technological pollution. We are stripping away natural forests at an alarming rate because of our modern machinery.

I would clearly miss some of the medical advantages of technology however to be able to walk free without worrying about a drive-by shooting and to know that when someone shakes your hand they have committed in their heart to stand behind that handshake is a life were living.

Answer 2

No! Communities must choose modern technologies that help improve rather than destroy the quality of life of its members.
Modern technologies are tools that should be used to help improve the individual and collective productivity of the community. With greater production of wealth, there should be improvements in the quality of life.
It is not modern technology, per se, that makes life more difficult to a community. It is what happens in the community when the technology is acquired that makes life difficult.
1. Export Processing Zones (EPZ) are developed to accommodate the multi-nationals who bring in the technology.
2. These EPZ's are usually converted agricultural lands.
3. Public infrastructures: roads, bridges, ports, airports, etc. are built to service the needs of these multi-nationals convert-ing more agricultural lands into other uses.
4. With new infracture built, Real Estate Developers quickly buys most of the small landholdings surrounding these areas and build subdivisions.
5. Land values shoots up, the farmers become laborers of these industries, and with less farm production, the prices of basic commodities go up. The laborer, with his minimum wages, can no longer afford to support a decent life.
6. Yet, as perks and incentive for them to stay, the multi-nationals are given tax holidays.
7. The only seeming benefit a community gets from these companies are employment at minimum wages, with no rights to form labor unions, no right to strike even when conditions have become intolerable.
There is a solution to all these, but I will give it to you next time around.

Answer 3

No.

What are the "hardships" of modern technology you are talking about? Clearly, you never tried to poop in an outhouse at negative 40 degrees or had a friend or relative die of dysentery...

Also, what if your local sustainable community hates your guts? Because you want to write a novel or teach college algebra rather than work in the fields? Or simply because there's something "wrong" with your way of thinking or, God forbid, your sexuality?

Answer 4

Technology is great. Even though some would buy into the whole 'community-life' thing, technology is definitely a positive advance. Look at medical technologies.

Answer 5

No. What hardships do we have compared to our grandparents?
Dropped cell calls?
Cable TV goes out?
It's called progress for a reason.

Answer 6

At what point would no longer be modern? Would we go back to the stone ages, before gun powder, or just before electricity?