Amish Power

This is the first time I've ever heard anyone refer to the Amish as "early technology adopters". But that’s what this NPR Radio segment calls them. I've been to the area of Ohio where this Amish community resides several times. I have been in the furniture stores that are lit by electric light bulbs connected to large, probably deep cycle, batteries. I didn't realize that they could be recharging them with solar panels. I admire their slower pace of life and their contemplative approach to technology. But, I still can't help to think that there is quite a bit of hypocrisy in their methods. I think it is great that they are conservative power users and that they are using clean, solar power. Have they ever thought how those solar panels are made? They would never use the technology that it takes to make them, so how is it right to use them? To me, this is just proof that you can't always expect logic and rational thought to explain why things are the way they are in the world.

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Amish, solar+power, early+adopters