The limits of Progress
In the mid 60s we lived for a few years in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, near the heart of Amish country. Although their main location is in neighboring Lancaster County, we had many contacts with the Amish, including food and unpasteurized milk purchases and encountering their buggies on the roads.
The Amish taboo on electricity has become one of the public symbols of their separation from the world. They are allowed to use batteries because they are self-contained and don’t connect with the outside world. They are required to use them to power lights on their buggies for safety. Just like other citizens, they pay all taxes, with the exception of social security. Similarly, the PA Amish pride themselves on being self-sufficient and do not collect social security benefits, unemployment or welfare checks.
Some Amish enjoy an occasional trip to eat out, or a birthday party at a local restaurant. The most popular leisure activity for the Amish seems to be visiting. This may include everyone from relatives and the sick to non-Amish friends. This means, I have to assume, that this substitutes for hours spent on the internets or television.
Unless one keeps a journal, it is difficult to remember one’s attitude at various times of life, but I do remember my thoughts at the time: what is wrong with these people? I was a computer programmer at the time and much involved with progress and moving forward. Why, I wondered, did they choose this level of progress and hold off on “moving forward?”
Here we are years later and we live as much as possible the simple self-sufficient life. We notice the new but don’t necessarily embrace it, while observing that in many cases progress is one step forward and two steps back. How often has your system upgrade actually made things better? Now your new microwave can do 17 functions but you need to refer to the manual, every time, to make them work. Where should the line be drawn?
I am far from being a Luddite but I see many being left behind. Are people being forced to make changes against their will? Politically there are those who want to turn back the clock, 50, 100, even 200 years. Everyone here knows what that’s about. But I’m wondering about how the KTK community (and welcome guests) feel. Have we gone too far? Robot takeover? Marginalization of many? Should there be protections of the right to reject any particular technology? Your observations would be welcomed.
Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with readers of Daily Kos who aren’t throwing pies at one another. Drop by and tell us about your weather or your garden. Newcomers may notice that many who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but we welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.