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Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology by Eric Brende
Book Review By Kris Kolk
October 23, 2007—Eric Brende, author of Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology, has degrees from Yale, Washburn University and MIT. It is important to establish up front that Mr. Brende hails from some of the most progressive institutions around but feels there is something askew with our common acceptance of technology.
During his teenage and college years, he noticed how technology advances hadn’t really helped people live. At a fast food place, the learning curve of a new cash register paralyzed the staff and the manager couldn’t calculate the sale manually. At home, the purchase of a dishwasher only resulted in an increase in the number of dirty dishes on the counter. In the neighborhood, streets where kids used to play ball became lined with parked cars, so children retreated to the safety of their televisions and video games.
Eric Brende decided to throw himself and his wife, Mary, into a year-long technology-free experiment. The two were newlyweds, excited about the project and their new life together. To their benefit, they had a lot going for them in the optimism department.
The project journals the couple living within a Minimite community. The Minimites are kind of a minimalist version of Amish or Mennonites. The Brende’s weaned themselves from electricity, telephones and labor saving devices. One would think all this work would result in little free time for fun, family or recreation; however, they found many perks to a hard-working lifestyle.
Eric Brende recounts occasions when they were delivered things or given advice in advance, just a little bit before they would need it. The community considered it their responsibility to make sure the Brende’s were doing alright. The young couple was allowed to reciprocate, it seemed, only when their neighbors deemed they could handle it.
Most obviously, there are no needs for gym memberships in this community. The work is physical, but varied and the body strengthens. The conclusion is that labor saving devices encourage poor health.
Barn raisings and work bees are ongoing and considered social get-togethers. There is always something to be done and most of the residents try to attend. It is a pleasant experience with no burden on one person. Everyone chips in on the work and refreshments. “Many hands make light work.”
Some of the work is so repetitive, Mr. Brende looked forward to getting lost in thought. With no other stimuli competing for attention, the mind is free for cultivating ideas.
Although the community continually worked hard, there were many breaks in between jobs for resting, playing with kids or talking with a spouse. The book does not tell of anyone flipping out because things weren’t moving fast enough. They just comfortably kept the pace and welcomed lulls.
Much of the book describes the men’s field work. I would have loved to hear about the women’s day. I imagine the women experience more bonding than in the suburbs and urban areas. This has got to be extremely beneficial. I would have liked to hear about it.
The author does not believe the lifestyle oppresses women. He mentioned that when men help in the women’s areas, the women are in charge.
Mr. Brende described threshing as grueling, physically demanding, depressing men’s work. As the men had been toiling in the heat after many hours, two girls delivered a cooler of homemade ice cream to them. The refreshments gave the men a second wind and a better outlook. I couldn’t help but think how the job of making ice cream was easy in comparison to threshing. Everyone, men and women, pull their own weight.
Mary Brende had a home birth during the year-long adventure. The post natal time witnessed the community pulling together to assist the new family so they could have bonding time with their new arrival.
The Brende’s eventually backed all the way out of a technology-crazy lifestyle, finally giving up their car. They went on to operate a horse and buggy business for while, but Mary’s horse allergy put an end to that.
Currently, they live in St. Louis and operate St. Louis Rickshaw in the Lafayette Square area. Mary sells homemade soap at the Farmer’s Market in Soulard.
So, the question remains, is technology good or bad? The conclusion I got from the book is to be discriminating and not to accept it just because it’s for sale or in style.
Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology by Eric Brende can be found in the St. Charles County Library, call number 303.483 Brende.
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