Weekly Blog #4 - Don't Ditch That Tech... Literally
This week we had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Rennie Redekopp discuss the importance of creating sustainable technologies. Digital technologies are creating massive landfills with components that are not biodegradable. We need to find a way to start limiting how much of this stuff we create or try and extend its lifespan. But to do this, we need to topple one big thing... CONSUMERISM!
If you are unfamiliar with consumerism, here is a quick little video to get you up to speed. Right now, we are living in a world where people want the next best and biggest thing. People will go into massive debt to buy things to prove their "worth". I believe this is especially prevalent in technology. The amount of times I get asked "Oh, what kind of phone do you have?!" is astounding. There is this immense pressure to always have the best tech. I used to always get a new phone every 2 years when my contract was up because I believed it was "free". You would see the advertisements "$0 with a new contract". What they don't tell you is that they will just tack the cost of the phone onto your monthly bill. This belief causes people to buy a new phone because why not?! So as much as we are to blame, I think some of that can also be passed on to the marketing of these devices.
I love the idea of the Fairphone. A phone is basically just a small computer, so why can't we make them like we make computers? I have built multiple PC's, and the concept is really the same. If you have a part that breaks or needs upgrading, you simply replace it instead of replacing the entire thing. But the main issue I think that arises from this is you need people and companies to be on board. The big manufacturers make tonnes of money selling new phones every year when really they are just upgrading one thing. It's not until the consumers stop buying technology as soon as it comes out where we will see a big change. My first step is not buying a new phone until my current one breaks. I'm rocking a Moto e right now simply because it was the cheapest phone I could buy. This will be my contribution, what's yours?
I like your video that you linked in for "what is consumerism", was a very nice little touch. But I definitely agree that it is going to be a tough mountain to get over when people always want the new and exciting phones when they have a perfectly fine phone as is. I personally try to run my phones into the ground, until they either simply cannot survive without being on a charger or something breaks and they no longer charge. I do not utilize my cell phone in the proper ways to be worried about the fancy new runnings on the inside, for the most part I could probably still survive off an old iPhone touch (there's wifi everywhere you go now anyways). I really do like the idea of a phone where you can replace the parts as necessary or upgrade if you feel the need, but as you say, getting over the income from the release of a brand new phone for the big companies will be a tough mountain to climb.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post! It made me wonder: who's most responsible for all the waste and environmental destruction caused by over-consumption? While I think consumers themselves should definitely shoulder some of the blame, I agree with you that the companies themselves are also partly responsible.
ReplyDeleteA modular phone where you can replace parts without having to get rid of the whole thing would be awesome! If that ever becomes a thing in Canada, I'd definitely get me one of those. Until then, I plan to ride out my current phone - which doesn't do much of anything besides make and receive calls and texts - for as long as possible. That's my (extremely minor) contribution to solving the problem of e-waste!