Appropriate technology

Appropriate technology in a most basic sense means suitable technology. In practice, it is often something that might be described as using the simplest and most benign level of technology that can effectively achieve an intended purpose. Definitions differ, however, among those theorists, writers, and practitioners who use the term. The term has often, though not always, been applied to the predicaments of developing nations or underdeveloped rural areas of industrialized nations.

Related Topics:
Developing nation - Rural

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The term came into some prominence during the 1973 energy crisis and the environmental movement of the 1970s. The economist (and former British Coal Board advisor) E. F. Schumacher of the UK was one of the originators of the concept.

Related Topics:
1973 energy crisis - Environmental movement - E. F. Schumacher

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A related term, intermediate technology, refers specifically to tools that cost more or are more sophisticated or complex than those currently in use in a developing nation but still much less costly, or less inaccessible, than those tools that would be used in a developed nation. Often, in a developing nation, this is a first step among "appropriate" criteria. As well, it is usually only "appropriate" to use technologies that can at least be locally repaired.

Related Topics:
Intermediate technology - Developed nation

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One approach to the term, among advocates of voluntary simplicity (sometimes termed Luddites by others), is that "appropriate technology" is technology whose risk/cost/value tradeoff is compelling enough to justify continued use.

Related Topics:
Voluntary simplicity - Luddite - Technology - Risk

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Many advocates who use the term "appropriate technology" imply changes that extend even to the "highest" technologies when those technologies are, in fact, the technologies best fitted to their applications.

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Another commonly encountered approach to the term "appropriate technology" is when it is used to describe specific technologies, like wind power, that provide an alternative to fossil fuels. Also, the term is sometimes used to describe things like the telephone, radio and television that can reduce the need for travel or replace print. Such usage is controversial, as, very often, windmills or electronics may rely on very high technology elsewhere, in their production.

Related Topics:
Wind power - Alternative - Fossil fuel - Telephone - Radio - Television - Print - High technology

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In one view, appropriate technology is technology considered to be fitting for one or more specific uses in a particular locality by members of a particular community (taking into account environmental or biological factors). One example is provided by an instance among the many possibilities for direct use of solar energy in India. The Auroville community (at Pondicherry, India) has installed a huge ?solar bowl? employing solar energy for cooking. This is a south-facing 15-meter diameter mirror bowl that focuses sun rays on a cylindrical boiler. The bowl follows the sun's position by means of a computerized tracking device. With this boiler, steam at a temperature of 150°C can be generated, which is then utilized to cook two meals a day for 1,000 people, on clear days. Another large solar cooker of essentially similar concept is in use at Mt. Abu in Rajasthan, India. Obviously, these have been put in place in notably sunny climes.

Related Topics:
Auroville - Pondicherry

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Which technologies are truly "appropriate" was a matter of debate among those who pioneered the concept, and is still a matter of some debate. Further, the use of technologies that are appropriate is an issue both for industry and consumers. For instance, in recent years some consumers have heard the criticism that SUVs are not appropriate to transport one person from A to B on flat terrain and without transporting goods. The other extreme is the use of Alternative propulsion, which may involve investing more in the means (say, a car or motorcycle) than the average citizen can afford.

Related Topics:
SUV - Alternative propulsion

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