Opus 2016-23: Green Piece: Analog Rocks

Digital is destroying the earth.

This is one of the random thoughts I had as I was weighing myself.  I needed something to distract me from the weight I had gained over the holidays.  I was thinking about the difference between my old spring driven scale and the shiny new digital model in the doctor’s office.  I  asked myself, “Why don’t I use a digital scale?”  Since my clinging to habit and unwillingness to spend the money didn’t sound too noble, I searched for a more politically correct answer.

Digital is part of the dumbing down process.  I have kids who cannot read an analog clock.  If you want them to know the time you need to put it digitally.  This is part of the process of dulling the thinking process that leads to excellence.  It perpetuates mediocrity because it allows people to be mentally lazy.

Digital requires electricity, usually batteries.  Modern batteries contain all kinds of metals like mercury and lithium.  They get discarded and most are not recycled.  This generates polution.  Electricity from the power grid is usually generated by coal or diesel fuel.  If you are an environmentalist you consider that dirty.  Mechanical analog is clean.

Remember when you could tune up your car by yourself.  You bought a set of points and some plugs and you were good to go.  It cost a few dollars.  Now you need to replace the entire computer module that does the job.  More waste.  More dependence on experts.  Less independence and challenge to do-it-yourself.

Do I like my computer?  Yes.  I hope I never need to go back to a typewriter or mechanical calculator again.  Does my car get better milage?  They tell me it does and the money I save on gas I put into expensive repairs.  Some trade offs are worth it, some aren’t. 

I rejoice in the freedom to make the choices and decide which are best for me.  The government regulators want to make that decision for me.

That I hate.

homo unius libri