gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Barriers-to-entry.md Tue, 23 Jan 2024 13:30:35 +0100 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Convergence.md Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:10:04 +0100 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Degrowth.md 1) A negative growth (i.e. a reduction) of an economy or a > population. > 2) A political, economic, and social movement based on ecological > economics and anticonsumerist and anticapitalist ideas.) Let's establish some fundamental truths before proceeding: * Our planet is a limited resource which sustains our species and many others. * Developed nations consume these resources for greed rather than need. * False markets are created by advertising and we buy things for desire, not things that we require. * Things that we buy are often designed with a limited lifetime so that we have to re-purchase and continue the consumer cycle. * Many green technologies are in fact just as destructive and require mining and energy intensive processes for their production (solar panels, lithium batteries, ...). * Our current expansionism is unsustainable. Since the 1930s the measure of a nation's wealth has been it's GDP (gross domestic product). This has lead to a constant striving toward growth. The only way out of this cycle is to step back from it, as consumers and as producers. ## We are the problem Your government is not going to make this problem go away. We are both the labour force which facilitates all of this and the tax payers who finance it. ## We are the solution If we are to save this planet from becoming a scorching desert for future generations then *we* need to change. ## Prevention is always better than the cure As with personal health, if you smoke, drink, don't exercise and eat lots of junk food, you should expect to suffer in later life. Our planet too is a living organism which we, and other species, depend upon for survival. Don't wait until it is too late or leave it to someone else. We must all take responsibility and play our part. ## What can we do? We all have choices which can directly influence organizations that are having a negative impact on the environment and our society by: 1. Not working for them 2. Not financing or purchasing from them We can also make efforts to live lightly. Here are some suggestions how we might do that: * Reducing our energy consumption as much as possible * Growing some of our own produce * Learning practical skills to make useful things or be useful * Trading or exchanging, skills, items or produce with others locally * Repairing and repurposing items (recycling should be a last resort) * Sourcing items with no, minimal or recyclable packaging * Sourcing items which can be repaired and will last * Sourcing used items where possible * Sourcing only things that we need]]> Tue, 30 Jan 2024 12:16:41 +0100 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/The-flywheel-effect.md Mon, 12 Aug 2024 12:07:42 +0200 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Surveillance-capitalism.md Tue, 03 Dec 2024 21:31:21 +0100 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Technology-and-responsibility.md Thu, 19 Dec 2024 16:43:20 +0100 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Convenience-is-the-devil.md Mon, 24 Feb 2025 16:17:53 +0100 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Outliers.md An outlier is a person, thing, or fact that is very different from > others in a set or a place. No matter how much you are compelled to be part of some group, at some point you have to break free. Tension builds gradually between other members of any group. Personality conflicts, ego, call it what you will. But there comes a point where you can no longer hold yourself back for some perceived shared goal or ideal once disillusioned. Uncompromising the outlier pushes on where others would settle, friends and allies left in their wake. Where they will rest a while next is unknown, all I know is they won't stay for long. The path of the outlier is one of solitude.]]> Mon, 19 May 2025 11:52:17 +0200 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Modularity.md Tue, 03 Jun 2025 17:32:05 +0200 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Addiction.md Sat, 05 Jul 2025 17:45:00 +0200 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Striving.md Mon, 16 Jun 2025 16:21:02 +0200 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Adherence-is-a-choice.md Wed, 18 Jun 2025 10:45:59 +0200 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/On-goals.md Sat, 28 Jun 2025 11:12:50 +0200 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/digital-asceticism.md Asceticism > The doctrine that through renunciation of worldly pleasures it is > possible to achieve a high spiritual or intellectual state. Making conscious and reasoned choices regarding the hardware and software used in our daily lives. Not being swayed by marketing, peer or family pressure to join or remain on popular social media or messaging platforms. Not participating in consumerism fueled by planned obsolescence: No new phone, tablet or PC every two or three years. Instead preferring to buy quality used items. Items still more than capable, if your needs are considered. Not blindly following the status quo and upgrade treadmills, even if it means being inconvenienced or outcast. It is saying no to external forces, to make space for thoughtfulness, playful creativity and personal growth.]]> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 18:08:35 +0200 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Not-my-problem.md Mon, 07 Jul 2025 17:42:30 +0200 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Hard-copy-and-physical-media.md Tue, 29 Jul 2025 20:47:48 +0200 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Importance-of-small-wins.md Sat, 24 Jan 2026 18:02:58 +0100 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Grist-to-the-mill.md Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:32:47 +0100 gopher://gopher.icu/0/phlog/Philosophical-ramblings/Distraction.md Thu, 12 Mar 2026 01:50:08 +0100