This post is a little random. But, it is related to skipping layers of development in developing countries. What happens in the near, or far, future, if you just integrated technology/knowledge saturation into the lives of those still living in "backward" lifestyles. A library in the middle of Combodia (don't ask why I though of Cambodia), or in a similar place. Things would get dirty and technology would fail. Libraries in America have enough problems with mold, general decay, and computer abuse, how would less hygienic places fare? Should we be obsessed with cleanliness? Or, should materials science cope with such issues?
So much of the effort of the developed world is expended in cleaning everything we own...for good measure. I have a couple cleaning products in my room and there are numerous in the bathroom I share with others. If I didn't clean, partly a reflection on the people I live with, things would get stinky after awhile. Is it a negative that I am concerned with certain aspects? The areas where food is prepared can not be ignored. But is there a simpler way to keep the floors clean...occasionally? Is the packaging and chemical/environmental expense equal to the benefit of a clean floor and such? Those type of questions seem moot until you think of the cost of providing everyone in Africa with a hot shower in the morning. Why the ****does Arizona exist? It gets cheap water at the expense of so many others...as does Nevada. Talk about thievery.
At what point is ultimate cleanliness, beyond basic hygienic standards, too costly?
4 comments:
There was an article I read recently from a Buffalo, NY newspaper talking about how Arizonians(might have only been Phoenix area residents) pay less for water than people in Buffalo. Bloated bureacracy was given the main blame. When the potable water crisis hits, we will be left to wonder why so many in the dry west were allowed to water their lush lawns and golf courses at such a small price.
It should be noted that within the last few years one of the main command posts for the US military/government has been moved to Colorado, above one of the largest fresh water aquifiers in the world(don't feel like looking up reference right now). Also, Mr. Moon(I refuse to call him Reverend) of the Unification Church, owns a lot of land on Paraguay/Bolivia(once I again, I think that is the border but I am not sure), under which lies another of the largest fresh water aquifiers. Just some conspiracy links for ya.
Another note going back to Africa. Saw a special on an African country, I believe Gambia but it could have been another. The part I watched was about a man who was supporting his family by selling clothes in a market. He would spend what money he had on big bails of random clothes donated by people in the United States(which was given to higher up people/companies, each different node selling the clothes to the next node down until it arrived at this man). He would sort the clothes, hoping he got a good bail, and then sell the items individually in the market. He had to walk a few miles everyday to and from the market. His family lived in a small house(not what would be considered a house in America). They would all wash up using a large bowl of water before dressing up and going to church(my point here was going back to the local industry issue you mentioned...how to start a textile factory/local clotes manufacture when so much cheap clothing is coming in). Old wrestling coach Bill also mentioned how when he went to Kenya they didn't have toilet paper, just a bucket of water next to where you "deposited" your waste, so that you could wash your hand after wiping your ass.
I do think we are overly clean/overly chemicalized. I don't have too many concrete thoughts on the subject except that overuse of chemicals is not good, especially when similar results can be done with a little more thought/elbow grease. Of course, when people are squeezed for time, who has time to clean.
The world should change to where made to order companies producing everything on a request basis, so as to reduce waste. With automation and variation(where will the jobs be?/I can't think of the proper words to describe the idea of a flexible automatic process like the Toyota system), many things could be made without the need to send wasted things elsewhere. Cars would be safer, maybe cheaper, can't remember the numbers, if produced by small production numbers businesses where the bodies are made of carbon fiber with the possibility of mass produced smaller engines. It is safer because of the reduction in mass of the cars, though if other people drive big SUVs, then it will still be dangerous. With lightness comes less required power that leads to greater full economy and less dependency on oil. I believe this is what we would call a positive feedback loop...but that may be something else...anyway, it would be good.
i know little about economics. but producing just enough product (aside from the toyota model u mentioned) as needed is probably not good for profits. for lots of reasons that i couldnt expound upon sufficiently.
Made-to-order(mto) production is what the internet/information revolution is supposed to be about. The point about producing just enough is that it is by small time producers. A craft shop with a few employees doesn't need millions of dollars of profits. The shops are smaller, but more numerous, spreading the impact and allowing a greater integration of work and housing. With more socialized/universal healthcare and a proper social security net, the smaller companies would be able to handle retirement benefits and such. It would never happen because of the muscle of the big car companies in intimidating the people and the govt that they are good for the country and can't go broke. But, a flexible thinking company like Toyota would possibly able to adapt the model to large scale production. But, they are somewhat stuck in their prouction system and old models.
There are ways which there can be a correction in the economy to make the model work.
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