I’ve just come across a web journal of a young engineering graduate, Tom Owen, who went to Mali to explore the role of technology in the lives of Malians.
The post I looked at explored pottery techniques. I was interested to see that they were thinking of introducing the innovation of a diesel driven pottery wheel. My reaction was quite negative as I read about it. I then read on to the comments following the post and saw that others shared my reservations. I think we have to be very careful about introducing innovations which are difficult to sustain. Diesel fuel is expensive and in today’s awareness of green technology this is not a good idea. One of the commenters suggested that a foot driven wheel would be a better option. I would question whether either a diesel or foot driven wheel is capable of making the huge water jars that the women Owen described make. They currently make them in several stages for very good reasons – these huge jars need drying at various stages so that they do not collapse. The techniques used are very ancient, and we should also question whether an intervention which changes irrevocably this ancient technique would actually bring about culture loss. More is not necessarily better. This also impinges on the supply chain. Another commenter said:
Given social acceptability and widespread use of such a technology, would increased production be met with continued demand and thus greater income or market saturation and decreased returns?
To be fair, the Multifunction Platform (a 10 hp diesel engine which can power things like corn mills) does seem to be making a lot of difference to women in the village. However, there are other projects in Mali which are now using locally produced green technology biofuels from Jatropha oil to power generators. See the Mali Folke Center.
So, for me there are two issues with using technology for culture change.
- Does the change promote culture loss?
- Is the change sustainable?
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New gadgets and fashion are emerging every day, leading us to buy without rationally thinking trough if we really need that product or not. Thoughtless buying leads to the ingestion of all the natural resources and to the endless growth of garbage piles, thous killing our planet.
If you think too, that this is a problem let’s do something about it. Let’s keep just one week, for starters, when we would think about if we really need the product we are about to buy, and if we don’t need it let’s put it back on the shelf. June 1-7. Spread the word.
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Unplugged team