Goldilocks Technology - A Preliminary Checklist
Frankly #69
As a problem-solving species, technology is an embedded part of the human experience – we assess, innovate, invent and adapt. But as we move out of the anomalous era we have just lived through and into less stable economic, social, geopolitical and ecological circumstances, humanity will require different kinds of innovation for a livable future.
In this Frankly, I offer preliminary guidelines for what might be termed ‘Goldilocks Technology’ – not too hot (dopaminergic gadgets) and not too cold (stone age tech) inventions for the future. Can governance upstream of designers and engineers use prices and policy to incentivize more appropriate and reliable technology? Can values and behavioral choices change demand, shifting the products available toward more sustainable options? What would the materials, supply chains, and disposal of technology that is ‘just right’ look like - and how would it change our wider boundary relationship with the biosphere?
In case you missed it…
This week, I was joined by Janine Benyus, who has spent decades advocating for biomimicry – a design principle that seeks to emulate nature's models, systems, and elements to solve complex human problems in ways that are sustainable and holistic.
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I'd like to add two ideas. Firstly, I think we need to mimic nature by moving from a fast growing forest to a climax forest that uses low amounts to energy and materials. Exploring the functioning of a mature forest could add to your list. Secondly, I think we need to move from a domination society to a partnership society. Thus, to be a goldilock technology it would have to involve non-violence and caring for people and the wider ecology. By using these two concepts as an additional guide to goldilock investment we could move to better functioning societies. Cheers, ME
Just a quick comment on your mud bricks or what are called SCEB's (stabilized compressed earth blocks). There's a company in Colo that is making what they call ecoblocks. I've used them in a construction project and they are holding up well. https://www.coloradoearth.com