commit 55042ae5aa524e1bea3943fb40310011090e0023
parent 8d0756508e371f09a741ae16744a00a44b5eefea
Author: ugrnm <ugrnm@web>
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2025 10:45:23 +0200
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diff --git a/care_for_all_hardware.mdwn b/care_for_all_hardware.mdwn
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+Caring for the planet also means caring for the material foundations of digital technology: our hardware. Every device, chip, and component originates from Earth’s finite resources—and eventually end up as e-waste.
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+The production of new hardware—especially microchips, which are at the heart of nearly every device we use, is highly resource-intensive and energy-consuming. Microchips are particularly problematic because they are difficult to recycle, cost an immense amount of energy and resources to manufacture and their production is highly polluting. Maximizing the lifespan of hardware components is critical for reducing environmental impact and promoting a more sustainable and less harmful digital culture.
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+One of the core principles of permaculture is to "produce no waste," encouraging us to value and reuse all resources at hand, turning waste into a resource whenever possible.
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+Digital technology cannot be produced without waste. To mitigate this situation, this principle calls us to step outside the capitalist model of perpetual consumption and growth. Instead, it invites us to recognize the inherent value of the devices, components, and materials we already have—and to care for them intentionally. Caring for the planet also means caring for the material foundations of digital technology: our hardware. Every chip and component is made from Earth’s finite resources, and once discarded, becomes part of the growing e-waste crisis. By acknowledging that these devices are not self-sustaining, we underscore the importance of extending their lifespan through intentional maintenance and thoughtful use.
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What can you do?
With or without a computer: - Value what you have. Treat your hardware with care, appreciating its quirks and limitations. - Repair what can be repaired. Timely maintenance prevents greater damage and extends your device’s life. - Think before you buy. Ask yourself whether a new purchase is truly necessary, or if existing tools could meet your needs more sustainably. - Support the growing market for refurbished hardware.Choose second-hand and refurbished electronics. - Engage in sharing initiatives (device lending libraries, maker spaces) to avoid redundant consumption. - Participate in community repair spaces like Repair Cafés and hacklabs invested in this approach.
@@ -5,3 +13,17 @@ With or without a computer: - Value what you have. Treat your hardware with care
When creating and maintaining software, digital tools or infrastructure: - Design for adaptability and resilience. Build systems that can evolve without needing constant hardware replacement. - Design for disassembly and repair. Favor modularity that allows parts to be easily swapped or upgraded. - Use salvaged components whenever possible to create new devices or applications. - Promote refurbished electronics both personally and professionally. - Leverage administrative opportunities—for example, extend device lifespans through extending legal write-off time-spans. - Advocate for planned longevity. Push the tech industry to create products designed to last—and to be easy to repair. Support the Right to Repair movement advocating for regulation to make planned longevity mandatory.
Principle in action & examples - Unbinare: https://unbina.re/ e-waste reverse engineering, hacking tools developed in collab with e-waste workers. - What Remains https://iodinedynamics.com/whatremains.html reusing old - NES cartridges to release new game for old NES - Single board computers made of repurposed fairphones https://citronics.eu/#product - Community initiatives, like repair cafes: https://www.repaircafe.org/en/ and Fablabs: https://fablabs.io/, various regional Right to repair initiatives.
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+Principle 3a: Observe First Before taking action, it’s important to first observe. What are current relations? What is valuable and beautiful? What is needed? What problem are you trying to solve? Is it a social issue? Does it even require technology? If not, refer to Principle "Not Doing". If technology is necessary, what is its purpose, and who will benefit?
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+In permaculture, before working on a piece of land, it’s essential to observe it over time, ideally through at least one full seasonal cycle. This process helps reveal insights about what can be done with minimal intervention, using limited resources and energy. Similarly, permacomputing involves carefully observing a problem or situation to create space for evaluating what needs to be done and how.
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+Observing can also relate to sensing the world—where computing can play a key role in strengthening ecosystems through citizen sensing and science projects. Careful observation—gathering data on air quality, water, biodiversity, local temperatures, and more—can help citizens collect the evidence needed to advocate for a healthier environment. These projects gather data on pollution, biodiversity, weather, and more, which can then be used to push for a healthier environment for both humans and non-humans.
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+What can YOU do?
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+With or without a computer: - Before starting any project, meeting, software development, or action, take time to do nothing and simply observe the situation from multiple perspectives. Ideally, include all stakeholders (human and non-human) in the process. - Join or start a citizen science or sensing project. - Once data is collected and evidence is gathered, collaborate with others to take action (e.g., file a lawsuit against a polluting factory, data center, or airport).
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+When creating and maintaining software, digital tools or infrastructure: - Take time to observe the problem alongside the people you're designing for. - Incorporate sensors and data on surrounding environment into support systems - Assess whether the problem you're trying to solve genuinely requires computation at all. (See Principle 3b).
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+Principle in action & examples - varia project 'stock taking sense' https://another.varia.zone/ - Frisse wind project https://www.frissewind.nu/ - citizen sensing project, using air quality data to enhance position of citizens when addressing problems in their environment - https://hollandse-luchten.org/ The UAV toolkit, an Android application making use of your smartphone's sensors for airborne science, by Then Try This https://fo.am/publications/grassroots-remote-sensing-toolkit/ and https://fo.am/activities/uav-toolkit/
