Since I came across the words "slow technology" I have been coming up with what it might mean - but not actually finding out. I decided it should be "good" - slow technology should include new inventions which make life better, not just for one person for the moment, but for people - and the environment - and the future. I thought an example of slow technology might be a exercycle which I could use for exercise, while thinking my thoughts - or listening to music - which saves the awesome power of my clycling legs for future power needs. I'm sure such a thing exists, I may even have seen one. I also thought there might be a link with "old" technology, "low" technology if you like. Stuff that achieves a job - slowly - while also providing exercise and meditative time (push mowing the lawn, horse and cart, vaginal birth (no just kidding, that aint technology)) and in the past accidentally but now surely with more purpose NOT wasting precious energy and filling our world with broken bits of plastic.
So what do the creators of the phrase say it means?
"We present slow technology: a design agenda for technology aimed at reflection and moments of mental rest rather than efficiency in performance" from 'Slow Technology Designing for Reflection' by Lars Hallnas and Johan Resstrom. Now that to me sounded pretty much along the lines I was thinking. But a few sentences in and frankly the whole thing was pretty much over my head - and I threw my hands up in admission of defeat when I got to this example:
"Imagine an electronic doorbell that plays short fragments of a very
long melody each time we press the doorbell button. To fully grasp the
doorbell through its behaviour, we have to stop and reflect for a
moment each time it rings and only over time we can grasp the whole melody. It is technology that claims time. Is this “slow” doorbell a
better doorbell than the ordinary one playing the same two or three
tones over and over again? The difference in aesthetics between the
two doorbells is a difference in philosophy of design; the “slow”
doorbell is not designed to be “just” an efficient signalling mechanism
for non-reflective use, but rather an artefact that through its
expression
and slow appearance puts reflective “use” in focus. It is a doorbell
designed for reflection in a world of expressions using time and
presence as key parameters."
Hmmmmmmm not getting it.
More thought required, to be revisited.
Oh another example came up in my search from a different source: real snail mail http://www.realsnailmail.net/profiles.php love it lots :-)
Thursday, April 21, 2011
in which Leo learns to finger-knit and clonks himself in the head with a hammer and the Cobden Easter Bunny makes an appearance
Today has been the most relaxed day of the holidays so far. We have had two sets of visitors from out of town, lots of trips and visits so it was a relief to sleep in, take Oscar very late to preschool and do some ordinary hanging out getting things done with Leo. First he had helped me clean out the container draw and the baking draw - both of which get out of control in about a week but which only get cleaned out once a term if they're lucky. Then we sat down and did a bit of finger knitting. To start with it looked totally impossible on his little fingers, but after a few stitches he was away and is now adorned with lots of little lumpy blue fluffy bling (can bling be fluffy?). The yarn he chose was slub yarn - thick and thin - that I had dyed blotchy blues yonks ago.
After lunch we wandered down to pick up Oscar and met the Cobden Bunny - as we always do when heading in that direction. He is currently the Cobden Easter Bunny in honour of the fact that he lives in Cobden, is a bunny and it is Easter. Anyway he's a bit of a sad story although amazing as he is still lolloping around after all these months. The first time we saw him (he is a beautiful lop eared fellow with pale brown splotches on white) we went door knocking thinking someone must be missing him. When we got the the 'right' house the woman there - surrounded by kids, the older of which go to school with Leo - told us "yeah it got out, it's not a nice rabbit, we don't care if it dies". There are a lot of dogs in this neighbourhood, but the Cobden bunny persists. The bunny lead to some interesting discussions with Leo about 'The Easter Bunny' who Leo fervently believes in. One of our recent visitors who is also 7 totally bewildered Leo by telling him that he won't play any games or dress ups that involve magic or ghosts because "God thinks magic is a bit icky". So - on the way to preschool it went something like this, Leo: "I believe in the Eater Bunny, but I don't believe in God because who made God so he could make the universe?" Me: "So who made the Easter Bunny?" Leo: "Well, when the world formed, proteins clumped together into living organisms which one day turned into the Easter Bunny - but not until after the dinosaurs". So glad we got all that cleared up!
Leo's day took a turn for the worse in the late afternoon when he was making some alterations to his rubber band gun (a wood work project) and became intensely frustrated to the point where he flung the hammer (child sized but still ghastly) up and back and got himself a sharp blow on the back of his head with the claw. Yikes. B immediately got him lying on his front in bed while we discussed the possiblity of neading an A & E excursion. There was blood, there was a very nasty looking gash about 1cm by 0.5cm - seemingly to the bone - how much flesh is there on the back of a little boys head? didn't go poking around to see how deep. We decided on a Granparental consult (Ma and Pa both have a medical background) and were reassured that the spot he hit is just about the toughest part of the skull and that as long as he stays alert and not vomiting all should be well, nasty long lasting bruising excepted. Every time I have seen Leo use that hammer - starting from about aged 2 (yes I know!!) I have cringed at the image of the claw coming towards his face and he lifts it, never expected this though! Hopefully a succinct and effective life long lesson in anger management and hammer safety.
After lunch we wandered down to pick up Oscar and met the Cobden Bunny - as we always do when heading in that direction. He is currently the Cobden Easter Bunny in honour of the fact that he lives in Cobden, is a bunny and it is Easter. Anyway he's a bit of a sad story although amazing as he is still lolloping around after all these months. The first time we saw him (he is a beautiful lop eared fellow with pale brown splotches on white) we went door knocking thinking someone must be missing him. When we got the the 'right' house the woman there - surrounded by kids, the older of which go to school with Leo - told us "yeah it got out, it's not a nice rabbit, we don't care if it dies". There are a lot of dogs in this neighbourhood, but the Cobden bunny persists. The bunny lead to some interesting discussions with Leo about 'The Easter Bunny' who Leo fervently believes in. One of our recent visitors who is also 7 totally bewildered Leo by telling him that he won't play any games or dress ups that involve magic or ghosts because "God thinks magic is a bit icky". So - on the way to preschool it went something like this, Leo: "I believe in the Eater Bunny, but I don't believe in God because who made God so he could make the universe?" Me: "So who made the Easter Bunny?" Leo: "Well, when the world formed, proteins clumped together into living organisms which one day turned into the Easter Bunny - but not until after the dinosaurs". So glad we got all that cleared up!
Leo's day took a turn for the worse in the late afternoon when he was making some alterations to his rubber band gun (a wood work project) and became intensely frustrated to the point where he flung the hammer (child sized but still ghastly) up and back and got himself a sharp blow on the back of his head with the claw. Yikes. B immediately got him lying on his front in bed while we discussed the possiblity of neading an A & E excursion. There was blood, there was a very nasty looking gash about 1cm by 0.5cm - seemingly to the bone - how much flesh is there on the back of a little boys head? didn't go poking around to see how deep. We decided on a Granparental consult (Ma and Pa both have a medical background) and were reassured that the spot he hit is just about the toughest part of the skull and that as long as he stays alert and not vomiting all should be well, nasty long lasting bruising excepted. Every time I have seen Leo use that hammer - starting from about aged 2 (yes I know!!) I have cringed at the image of the claw coming towards his face and he lifts it, never expected this though! Hopefully a succinct and effective life long lesson in anger management and hammer safety.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
In search of a shadow
I've been very much enjoying Mr O's newish to the planet take on the world. We drove out to 9 mile beach last night, making use of the low tide to harvest a few bags of mussels. The boys were having a lovely time with their long stretched out shadows on the beach as the sun went down. After watching the sunset Oscar spun slowly around several times before asking - tone indicating deep concern "I can't find my shadow". I reassured him that none of us could keep our shadows after the sun had gone down, and got him to check - but he came back with "but the sea still has a shadow" I thought that was completely left field until I realised he thought the wet tide line on the shore was the seas shadow - obvious really. He was happy again once the big orange balloon of a moon made an appearance.
He has also coined the phase "good boysing" which means he's doings something that he would generally expect to be praised for e.g. Me 'what are you up to Oscar?" Oscar "I'm good boysing!" (so far used when washing hands and putting dishes on bench).
Then tonight - while we had guests - he sent the room into quizzicle silence by announcing "My friends are big, my poos are big, and YOU are BIGGER!"
Slow Technology - now there is a new concept for me. Is it weaving, knitting, mowing the lawn with a push mower? Maybe, maybe not. It claims to be a reaction against the social and cultural values which stress us out and reduce satisfaction by insisting that everything must be speedy and crammed "grabbed, snatched, squeezed" in order for us not to waste a single second of our valuable time. I will find out more, and I will blether on about it.
He has also coined the phase "good boysing" which means he's doings something that he would generally expect to be praised for e.g. Me 'what are you up to Oscar?" Oscar "I'm good boysing!" (so far used when washing hands and putting dishes on bench).
Then tonight - while we had guests - he sent the room into quizzicle silence by announcing "My friends are big, my poos are big, and YOU are BIGGER!"
Slow Technology - now there is a new concept for me. Is it weaving, knitting, mowing the lawn with a push mower? Maybe, maybe not. It claims to be a reaction against the social and cultural values which stress us out and reduce satisfaction by insisting that everything must be speedy and crammed "grabbed, snatched, squeezed" in order for us not to waste a single second of our valuable time. I will find out more, and I will blether on about it.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Leo cooks up a storm - stuffed peppers and lemon delicious pudding
I have spent my afternoon taking photos - I have far too many. I did want a record of Leo attempting to cook his first meal, but took far more than I intended because he literally wouldn't let me do a speck of cooking. I felt obliged to stick around what with hot elements and sharp knives around, apart from excessive photography I also drank four cups of coffee throughout.
So - first there was gathering the ingredients.
We harvested lemons, basil, parsley and tomatoes - Leo rejected the Bill's prize peppers as they were green and the recipe picture clearly demanded red. The rest I harvested from Fresh Choice.
First a lot of chopping...
The chopping took an incredibly long time. He tried with the chefs knife but my nerves couldn't handle seeing his little fingers on the side of the blade so it was all with a little paring knife. His focus certainly outstriped mine.
Moving right along - rice (very tricky to drain when you're 7).
And frying..
Grating...
Mixing and stuffing...
One dish ready for the oven.... TaDa!!
On to desert.
More grating.......
Measuring....
Squeezing....
Beating...
More mixing..
And finally into the water bath and oven.
Wow - what a mission. And thanks to Oscar for sleeping for so long :-)
All veggies eaten, 'lemon delicious' lemony and delicious.
So - first there was gathering the ingredients.
We harvested lemons, basil, parsley and tomatoes - Leo rejected the Bill's prize peppers as they were green and the recipe picture clearly demanded red. The rest I harvested from Fresh Choice.
First a lot of chopping...
The chopping took an incredibly long time. He tried with the chefs knife but my nerves couldn't handle seeing his little fingers on the side of the blade so it was all with a little paring knife. His focus certainly outstriped mine.
Moving right along - rice (very tricky to drain when you're 7).
And frying..
Grating...
Mixing and stuffing...
One dish ready for the oven.... TaDa!!
On to desert.
More grating.......
Measuring....
Squeezing....
Beating...
More mixing..
And finally into the water bath and oven.
Wow - what a mission. And thanks to Oscar for sleeping for so long :-)
All veggies eaten, 'lemon delicious' lemony and delicious.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
The Tooth Fairy
The Tooth Fairy has had a remarkable effect on Leo's independent writing! Well, I think his fabulous teacher has something to do with it too. The first of his two front teeth was wiggly for weeks - then for a couple of days I couldn't believe it hadn't fallen out - it got so that he could close his mouth in a ghoulish grin with the loose tooth poking out between his lips. After three days of being 'dangle tooth' Leo became 'gappy' while brushing his teeth. He was very pleased with the development.
I dug out one of my tooth robots (I used this tutorial http://goodygoody.typepad.com/goody_goody/2008/07/tgif-quickie-robot-goodytooth-pillow.html). To stash the precious tooth in wait for the tooth fairy. I have decided to embrace the concept of the friendly tooth fairy who has some mysterious fairy requirement for children's teeth (deliberately not dwelling on this).
Unable to find change (too thorough with the change saving money box) so - after a late night rummage in the present box I found a dinky little crystal growing kit that looks like a little cactus. You pour the crystal solution in and coloured crystal flowers sprout out the top over a couple of hours.
The next morning Leo was very gratifyingly delighted and - too my suprise - got straight to work on a thank you note and picture for the tooth fairy which he left under his pillow that night. I thought the picture was deserving of a thank you note of it's own so TF duly wrote back and tied her letter with a little scrap of silver string and a plastic flower from my old scrap booking stuff. Next morning another spontaneous piece of writing from Leo. At this point I was starting to think this tooth fairy correspondance was going to turn into a drag but then read his note again and realised that this is the biggest leap forward in his writing to date. Go the tooth fairy!
I dug out one of my tooth robots (I used this tutorial http://goodygoody.typepad.com/goody_goody/2008/07/tgif-quickie-robot-goodytooth-pillow.html). To stash the precious tooth in wait for the tooth fairy. I have decided to embrace the concept of the friendly tooth fairy who has some mysterious fairy requirement for children's teeth (deliberately not dwelling on this).
Unable to find change (too thorough with the change saving money box) so - after a late night rummage in the present box I found a dinky little crystal growing kit that looks like a little cactus. You pour the crystal solution in and coloured crystal flowers sprout out the top over a couple of hours.
The next morning Leo was very gratifyingly delighted and - too my suprise - got straight to work on a thank you note and picture for the tooth fairy which he left under his pillow that night. I thought the picture was deserving of a thank you note of it's own so TF duly wrote back and tied her letter with a little scrap of silver string and a plastic flower from my old scrap booking stuff. Next morning another spontaneous piece of writing from Leo. At this point I was starting to think this tooth fairy correspondance was going to turn into a drag but then read his note again and realised that this is the biggest leap forward in his writing to date. Go the tooth fairy!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
7 year old enthusiasm and my new wallet
Today I have noticed again how different my son Leo is from me. When I was 7 (it was a while ago so memories may not be entirely accurate) I remember being very very eager to please. I would have been horrified at the prospect of being late for school, despite never having been late for school. Leo just calmly points out the evidence. Me "Leo we have to go now! your teacher will be cross!" Leo "Jimmy is always late and the teacher doesn't mind" (I'm thinking to myself well Jimmy does have three siblings under 5 and a single Mum and the teacher almost certainly knows this and recognises the effort involved in getting him to school at any time.... I digress). I noticed it at the gypsy fair this weekend too, as he begged to be allowed to ride the 4 wheel motorbike - my feeble attempts to talk him out of it failed - Raining "go wait in a tent". Oscar and I will get bored "you love looking at crafts!" Oscar will be jealous because he's too little "he could have a pony ride" It costs money! "you have some money". O.k.... As he whizzed around the track, gleeful and fast (the lovely chap looking after the bikes kept pretending to have a heart attack as he went round the corners) I saw several other parents with sons, some younger than Leo, practically forcing them to have a go. "You'll love it!" "Go on!" "That looks like your thing!" apprehensive little faces tight lipped, not making eye contact. I'm fairly sure that at 7 years old I would have done anything to get out of riding a loud, fast, unfamiliar machine - I wouldn't have even spoken to the bearded gentleman running the show! Would I have benefited from being pushed? Perhaps we are lucky that this unfamiliar (to me) enthusiasm for diving into new experiences is not easily squashed by my inability to relate to it, who knows.
Poor chap had a hard lesson at school today - such was his enthusiasm for swimming he ran across the courts instead of walking as per his teachers instructions and consequently spent swimming time in the sick bay having his grazed knee cleaned and dressed :-( Natural justice can be so cruel!
I have been working on a wallet design lately. The first (I'll call it a prototype retrospectively) was a disaster. It looked cute, I loved it, I put in my coins, my one card voucher and finally my cards.... only to discover that once cards were inserted into the carefully measured card slots the snap closure no longer reached it's buddy on the othe side. GRRR
So... Mark 2 I'm happier with - at least I can close it loaded now. Also ironed out a little mix up with the zippered coin pocket which I had managed to sew with wrong side of fabric showing inside the pocket in the prototype. I will probably make a few more of these for my next market whenever that is, in different fabrics. I might have gone overboard with the 'boy' fabrics with this one, but I think they're cute and I do like them to think I'm fabulously cool.
Poor chap had a hard lesson at school today - such was his enthusiasm for swimming he ran across the courts instead of walking as per his teachers instructions and consequently spent swimming time in the sick bay having his grazed knee cleaned and dressed :-( Natural justice can be so cruel!
I have been working on a wallet design lately. The first (I'll call it a prototype retrospectively) was a disaster. It looked cute, I loved it, I put in my coins, my one card voucher and finally my cards.... only to discover that once cards were inserted into the carefully measured card slots the snap closure no longer reached it's buddy on the othe side. GRRR
So... Mark 2 I'm happier with - at least I can close it loaded now. Also ironed out a little mix up with the zippered coin pocket which I had managed to sew with wrong side of fabric showing inside the pocket in the prototype. I will probably make a few more of these for my next market whenever that is, in different fabrics. I might have gone overboard with the 'boy' fabrics with this one, but I think they're cute and I do like them to think I'm fabulously cool.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Sackboy and stuff
I realised today that whenever I leave Oscar it's to go to work (teaching technology) or to go for a run. What made me realise this was hearing Oscar announce "Mummmy is a running teacher!" er no, in fact I'm so bad at it I ran into a very solid branch over hanging the track yesterday - I blame my hat. Would have been the funniest thing to see! (thank god no one did!) now have to explain bruises and scratches though.
The latest in non-functional crafting.... Sackboy (who I have been introduced to by my students - he is a character/avatar? on a game called LittleBigPlanet.
Getting new students from Christchurch arriving everyday - it's awesome how well they fit in, getting on with ordinary kid things. Mr L all excited about the new kids in his class too, especiall since one Mum arrived with hot chips for the whole class.
The latest in non-functional crafting.... Sackboy (who I have been introduced to by my students - he is a character/avatar? on a game called LittleBigPlanet.
Getting new students from Christchurch arriving everyday - it's awesome how well they fit in, getting on with ordinary kid things. Mr L all excited about the new kids in his class too, especiall since one Mum arrived with hot chips for the whole class.
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