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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Hey Nate,
Love your insights and thought provoking content. Here is another aspect I would add to your thesis which I'm sure will strongly resonate with you.
Unpowered Technology accelerating ecosystems. Compounding and Multiplying ecological function, to the extent that rehydration and regeneration will need to be reduced in time to optimise for particular productive and ecological systems.
Existing technology, easily scalable, regenerating of self replicating living systems.
Implications for productivity, biodiversity and climate moderation.
Informed by and referencing your work and some of your guests, we have been developing frameworks around the massive unsaid challenges for our climate and energy futures for the Green Growth (Green transition) and Degrowth movements. And explore the massive untapped potential of a Regrowth paradigm of self replicating living systems. Life!
Here's a recent webinar recording: https://youtu.be/qAfUtaGvQ70?si=rAXPmV0vQF4Jf_oh
Slideshow with links in blue writing to scientific papers and resources: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1StBPVGpxf-ribrSn-UFY5ZLo0XMrfXRe-46-lA_GEPE/edit?usp=sharing .
All living systems are dynamic, always. Thriving depends on our stewarding for more Life and diversity. Importantly with these strategies there is an incentive for regeneration, whether it is increased productivity, improved profit margins, biodiversity or climate moderation etc.
Interested to know your feedback, insights and critique on Unpowered Technology accelerating ecosystems. There is a world of potential abundance.
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