Simple living

Simple living (or voluntary simplicity) is a lifestyle considered by its adherents to be an ecologically or spiritually motivated alternative to Western consumerism. The term "downshifting" is often used to describe the act of moving toward a lifestyle based on voluntary simplicity.

Technology

Eliminating the role of television in one's life is a dominant theme in many recent essays regarding simplicity. Writers of these essays see television both as a waste of time and as an implicit advocate of consumerism. Advertising in particular seems to be regarded as an evil by most of the authors. Some see community radio or pirate radio as a viable alternative without the visual distraction; one can, after all, work while listening, but not while watching. Others feel that, while there are worthwhile television programmes, there are simply not enough to continue using TV. Some people retain their sets for watching videos/DVDs. This means that a conscious choice must be made to watch something specific, and that the phenomenon of "channel surfing" and watching more than intended is circumvented.

Related Topics:
Television - Advertising - Community radio - Pirate radio

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Computer addiction is also a subject of recent interest. Some see computers as sources of instant knowledge. Others see them as necessarily distracting from the local immediate people and places, and providing a form of false community called "virtual community", which is all too often distracting from body, family and life as lived within same. As with any other activity, computer use taken to extremes can, indeed, pose this danger. A careful balance in all areas of life is a fundamental part of voluntary simplicity.

Related Topics:
Computer addiction - Computer - Knowledge - False community - Virtual community

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Technology of all kinds requires a complex industrial base and knowledge of physics and materials science, which may be part of a military-industrial complex, and so may defeat some of the purposes of voluntary simplicity movements, or lead in the long run to other forms of domination. On the other hand, technology can allow communications between communities and provide information on effective simple lifestyles for those who wish to change their lives, and can be run on renewable sources of energy.

Related Topics:
Physics - Materials science - Military-industrial complex

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Voluntary simplicity can certainly include high-tech components - indeed computers, internet, photovoltaic arrays, wind and air turbines, solar energy, and a variety of other cutting-edge technologies can be used to make a simple lifestyle within mainstream culture easier and more sustainable than simply "dropping out".

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