Hi everyone,
For those interested in a compelling reason to carefully monitor
technology/computers, please read Jerry Mander's, " In the Absence of the
Sacred: The Failure of Technology + the Survival of the Indian Nations"
published by:Sierra Club Books (1992) (ISBN 0-87156-509-9). Here's a review
from K. Sale of 'The Nation'...
"A skewering critique of modern technology, in which cars, telephones,
computers, banks, biogenics, and Television...all are shown to be part of a mad
'megatechnology' that is destroying the world's resources and robotizing its
peoples."
best,
melissa
----- Original Message -----
From: Terry J. Klokeid <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 1999 10:28 PM
Subject: [ecopath] Why I pay my bills by mail
> To Ecopathers:
>
> I have noticed some allusions here to the idea that computer technology can
> contribute to a sustainable society. I think the discussion centred around
> the choice of operating system for one's home computers.
>
> I confess that I have not followed the thread, but I was reminded of the
> following essay by my wife.
> ----
>
> Why I pay my bills by mail
> by Libby Hughes-Klokeid
>
> Every month I pay my bills by writing out a cheque for each one, sealing it
> and the invoice in an envelope, attaching a stamp, and dropping it and its
> brethren into our community mailbox. I realize perfectly well that I could
> achieve the same result through an automated banking machine, and I
> acknowledge the convenience of the technology, but my reason for paying my
> bills using the most labour-intensive system is: it's my contribution to
> full employment in Canada.
>
> The payment I mail off is first going to pass through Canada Post's sorting
> and distribution system, which employs a large number of Canadians. It'll
> get bagged, driven to an airport, loaded, flown, unloaded, and delivered.
> That'll keep many Canadian hands busy. Once arrived at its destination,
> it'll be processed by its recipient, and later by my credit union, and
> finally, it gets put into the mail again to return to me in my monthly
> statement.
>
> For the cost of a stamp, I've helped a number of Canadians keep their jobs.
> It's the most labour-intensive way of paying my bills, and a monthly
> package of stamps costs me $4.50.
>
> In contrast, my paystub indicates that my monthly contribution to
> Employment Insurance is many times the cost of a package of stamps. I'm not
> convinced that in the long run, Employment Insurance has led to a great
> deal of Employment in Canada. I would welcome some concrete eviudence that
> Employment Insurance or Automated Banking Machines make any positive
> contribution to stable employment, but I do not expect to ever see it..
>
> That package of stamps is my personal campaign for full employment in
> Canada. The Employment Insurance system isn't going to do it for us. The
> banking systems who promote automated services don't have a job-creation
> agenda. But any Canadian can buy a package of stamps.
>
>
>
>
>
> Forwarded by
>
> Terry J. Klokeid, Ph.D.
> Amblewood Organic Farm --Vegetable and herb seeds and seedlings--
> 126 Amblewood Drive, Fulford Harbour, SaltSpring Island BC V8K 1X2
> Voice & fax (250) 653-4099
> E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
