If We Could Just Get Rid of That 'Thing'
The global paradigm seems to be set in stone. After all it has had thousands of years to develop and mature. As young children we are born into this existing paradigm and learn from our parents, teachers and neighbors how to navigate and fit into this world view. The concept of the paradigm is one of five environmental concepts that should be investigated if we want to change the direction of our cultural norms to meet the environmental and social problems we now face.
The other four environmental concepts, throughput (a measure of efficiency in how we move resources through the system), Law of Diminishing Returns, exponential growth, and Jevons Paradox, have been examined throughout the website and seem to blend together creating a dynamic unseen force. The paradigm in place that is creating our environmental challenges will not change unless the global population acknowledges and accepts this unifying force
If we can think of ‘Things’ (just about everything we use every day) as a combination of resources then throughput is at the top on the list of the five environmental concepts. The resources are mined, shipped, processed, shipped, manufactured into products, shipped, purchased and then eventually disposed. The more the economy grows, the more efficient we become in streamlining this process. When everyone joins in, throughput increases exponentially and although each individual product may become more efficient in its production and use, the overall throughput once again grows (Jevon’s Paradox). In time the Law of Diminishing Returns sets in, maintaining the many shipping, mining, …etc. operations while expending more resources on social and environmental mitigation. If we could only get rid of the ‘Thing’ the whole chain of events would be greatly diminished.
At first this seems to be taking a step backwards in human evolution but human ingenuity and inventiveness is not stopped by this realization, instead it is challenged and stimulated. These five concepts confront every part of humanity and we can avoid and ignore them while our global problems increase or face them and change the paradigm for future generations. We have grown to depend on these ‘Things’ not only for our enjoyment but also they have become important for our survival. If we choose to travel the path of getting rid of the ‘Thing’ it will take the global population to think, invent and work to improve ways of getting rid of the ‘Thing’.
We all work to pay for the ‘Things’ and the existing paradigm conveniently hides the underlying environmental principles in such a way that it is hard to recognize that we are working to pay mostly for throughput. Since throughput is an exponential function we find ourselves working more and getting less (Law of Diminishing Returns). Once we are trapped in cycle of depending on the ‘Things’ there is no extra money to buy the resources needed to begin the change needed to move to a low throughput lifestyle. This article is just an example of getting rid of the ‘Thing’ and with technology, cooperation and a willingness to meet the challenges, we can begin to get rid of the ‘Thing’.
Our house had its beginnings about 13 years ago (2005) and already there are changes we could make if we had had more insight, however, hindsight is 20/20 and we consider this incarnation the beginning of a long, long path. By no means, in describing our attempt at getting rid of the ‘Thing’ a template to repeat, but merely an example of the thinking process. In many cases we were not able to get rid of the ‘Thing’ but were only able to reduce its size and/or the amount of time the ‘Thing’ was used. A smaller ‘Thing’ many times costs less and if it is used less will last longer, reducing the need to buy another.
The house is situated on marble slabs that were discarded and often used as landfill. The slabs were placed directly on top of the ground without concrete (the ‘Thing) which is responsible for 7-8% of CO2 emissions and is destructive to the environment in many ways. Many times when using a conventional concrete foundation drainage pipes are also installed to remove excess water to decrease water damage (such as freezing or erosion) to the foundation. Since we did not dig into the ground we eliminated the drainage pipes and instead by increasing the carbon content, encouraged water retention. Water retention is gaining importance because of the increase in flooding causing more and more damage to our roads, bridges and buildings and of course the need to replace these ‘Things’.
The other four environmental concepts, throughput (a measure of efficiency in how we move resources through the system), Law of Diminishing Returns, exponential growth, and Jevons Paradox, have been examined throughout the website and seem to blend together creating a dynamic unseen force. The paradigm in place that is creating our environmental challenges will not change unless the global population acknowledges and accepts this unifying force
If we can think of ‘Things’ (just about everything we use every day) as a combination of resources then throughput is at the top on the list of the five environmental concepts. The resources are mined, shipped, processed, shipped, manufactured into products, shipped, purchased and then eventually disposed. The more the economy grows, the more efficient we become in streamlining this process. When everyone joins in, throughput increases exponentially and although each individual product may become more efficient in its production and use, the overall throughput once again grows (Jevon’s Paradox). In time the Law of Diminishing Returns sets in, maintaining the many shipping, mining, …etc. operations while expending more resources on social and environmental mitigation. If we could only get rid of the ‘Thing’ the whole chain of events would be greatly diminished.
At first this seems to be taking a step backwards in human evolution but human ingenuity and inventiveness is not stopped by this realization, instead it is challenged and stimulated. These five concepts confront every part of humanity and we can avoid and ignore them while our global problems increase or face them and change the paradigm for future generations. We have grown to depend on these ‘Things’ not only for our enjoyment but also they have become important for our survival. If we choose to travel the path of getting rid of the ‘Thing’ it will take the global population to think, invent and work to improve ways of getting rid of the ‘Thing’.
We all work to pay for the ‘Things’ and the existing paradigm conveniently hides the underlying environmental principles in such a way that it is hard to recognize that we are working to pay mostly for throughput. Since throughput is an exponential function we find ourselves working more and getting less (Law of Diminishing Returns). Once we are trapped in cycle of depending on the ‘Things’ there is no extra money to buy the resources needed to begin the change needed to move to a low throughput lifestyle. This article is just an example of getting rid of the ‘Thing’ and with technology, cooperation and a willingness to meet the challenges, we can begin to get rid of the ‘Thing’.
Our house had its beginnings about 13 years ago (2005) and already there are changes we could make if we had had more insight, however, hindsight is 20/20 and we consider this incarnation the beginning of a long, long path. By no means, in describing our attempt at getting rid of the ‘Thing’ a template to repeat, but merely an example of the thinking process. In many cases we were not able to get rid of the ‘Thing’ but were only able to reduce its size and/or the amount of time the ‘Thing’ was used. A smaller ‘Thing’ many times costs less and if it is used less will last longer, reducing the need to buy another.
The house is situated on marble slabs that were discarded and often used as landfill. The slabs were placed directly on top of the ground without concrete (the ‘Thing) which is responsible for 7-8% of CO2 emissions and is destructive to the environment in many ways. Many times when using a conventional concrete foundation drainage pipes are also installed to remove excess water to decrease water damage (such as freezing or erosion) to the foundation. Since we did not dig into the ground we eliminated the drainage pipes and instead by increasing the carbon content, encouraged water retention. Water retention is gaining importance because of the increase in flooding causing more and more damage to our roads, bridges and buildings and of course the need to replace these ‘Things’.
Discarded marble slabs are placed on top of the ground eliminating excavation.
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Students learning skills to build structures out of raw materials.
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People from different countries working and problem solving together with throughput in mind
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The topic of water retention leads us into our water collection system which prevents water from escaping. Our collection tanks are elevated to utilize the force of gravity as an energy source allowing us to store the rain water for our showers and washing clothes. Our drinking water is pumped from a shallow well up to the house and fills two tanks that are separate from the rain water tanks. Instead of having a pressurized system we have an open system and the water just pours into the tanks from the top. In this system the pump does not have to work against pressure and can pump more gallons per watts of electricity. Conventional pumps use electricity to power an electromagnetic field in the motor of the pump whereas a permanent magnet motor does not require additional electricity, again reducing the electrical draw.
There is a tiny hole in the water line just above the pump which reduces the efficiency of the pump because when the pump is operating some of the water is pumped out the hole. When the tank is full the pump shuts off automatically and the water in the line runs out of the hole and drains the pipe There is no water in the line to freeze eliminating the need to excavate to bury the water line. Disrupting soil in excavating for a foundation or burying water or electrical lines releases CO2 into the atmosphere. When the water line is on top of the ground not only is CO2 prevented from escaping but also the line can be easily reused or recycled.
The water line is placed on top of the ground and hidden with organic debris and is easily taken up to reuse or recycled.
The pressure in an open water system is much lower than a conventional pressurized system. When pressure is needed (for example for a shower or filling the sink in a shorter time period) a DC pump can be switched on to deliver 40 psi of pressure which is the same as a conventional system. TheDC pump is situated below the tank so the weight of the water in the tank helps reduce the electrical draw and it turns out that DC pumps deliver more water per electricity used. The pressure pump is on a switch and does not have to be used all the time.
Right above the water pump (D) is a small hole (E) that enables the water to drain after the drinking water tanks (B) are full.
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The non-pressurized system (open system) reduces the need of electricity in many ways.
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The tub can fill just with gravity as the energy source while the shower utilizes a small DC pump for pressure.
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The five environmental principles guided us to the decision to have an off grid electrical system. Again, we have traded the efficiency of the grid for the concept of throughput. Whenever possible we use solar and gravity directly as an energy source instead of electricity. In doing so, our electrical system can be smaller because our electrical needs are smaller. As climate change increases, the wires that connect the grid are vulnerable to weather conditions and have to be constantly maintained. Resources (‘Things’) are used to insure security against hacking and terrorism and recently people are encouraged to purchase a battery system or generator (more ‘Things’) in case of power outages. When the grid is disrupted many times thousands are without electricity, leaving many without access to water. This example demonstrates that as throughput increases so does vulnerability. If we can consider electricity a ‘Thing’ reducing its use is key.
Our refrigerator is cooled by the outside during winter and part of the spring and fall months. We are still working out a solution for the summer months and at present use ice produced in our DC freezer which is located outside. Locating the freezer outside saves space in the house and also during the winter months when the amount of solar electricity is diminished it does not run as much in the cold temperature. We try to use direct current (DC) when possible because changing DC into AC (alternating current) uses electricity. In the summer months we are finding ways to utilize the excess electricity produced during the long days such as heating water for cooking and dishes. We can choose when to waste electricity.
Students working together, gaining carpentry skill in building the refrigerator.
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The refrigerator uses the outside cold temperature in the winter months to keep the food.
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Our summertime hot water is an example of using solar energy directly. The hot water panel is located on the ground and is below the hot water tank in elevation. When the water is heated by the sun it raises up to the tank and pushes the cooler water out and down to the panel and as the water circulates the water in the tank becomes hot. When a solar hot water panel is on the roof above the tank an electrical pump, wires and computerized sensors are required to pump the hot water down to the tank. This conventional system is again more efficient, however, it requires more ‘Things’ that require maintenance and it can stop working overtime, whereas the simple thermosiphon system continues to produce hot water year after year.
The thermosiphon system with the heating elements circulates the water without a pump.
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The conventional system with the heating element above the tank requires a pump and sensors to push the hot water down to the tank
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Eighth grade students built the collector for the solar hot water system. They gained skills while at the same time learning about the evironmental concepts and thermodynamics.
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The students had to excavate dirt for the panel to be at the required elevation below the tank. They gained experience in using a full wheelbarrow and learned how to build a hoogle and to sequestor carbon.
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The land surrounding the house is also landscaped with the same concepts in mind We have planted vegetation that help each other out, reducing the need for fertilizer. For example, planting different kinds of clover and Siberian pea shrubs, nitrogen fixer,s supply nitrogen to the surrounding plants. We mow around certain plants and let them develop seeds which produce food for insects such as bees, which are decreasing in numbers globally, reducing the need to purchase more seed. The mowed grass is collected in a bag and used in the compost as green material.
A diversity of plants encourages a diversity of other life forms such as insects and birds.
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As the edible forest grows it provides not only food for us and other lifeforms but also a peaceful atmoshere.
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Clover is planted in the lawn and provides nitrogen for the vegetation below.
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Again, eight grade students helped build these future terraces. Using simple machines (physics class) they moved heavy logs and placed them to make the terrace. Sequestering carbon encourages microbial as well as mycorrhizal fungi which brings life to the soil.
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Hoogles are part of our gardens. Wood and other organic debris is placed in a pile and covered with soil that has been hand excavated at the building site.
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The hoogles become a lush raised bed.
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Acknowledging the invisible throughput is important in understanding the recent global decline in the standard of living. Since so many resources are needed just for the throughput there is less left over for the final ‘Thing’. Resources cost money, and since the throughput is hidden so are the costs and no matter how much money is printed the true hidden costs keeps on increasing. Simply put, we work most of our lives for throughput all the while this hidden phenomenon is destroying the planet we depend on.
The reduced costs of a low throughput lifestyle allows for more free time because the less one spends time in actually going and purchasing, working to buy and then figuring out what to do with the ‘Things’ after they stop working or no longer used, the more free time will be available. The free time spent could also be considered along these lines. Mary and I love to travel, see different sites, meet different people and gain different ideas and perspectives. Much of our travel is by bicycle which allows us to really experience the area we are in. In developing skills at using mass transit and even hitch biking with our bicycles and camping gear allows for extended travel times because of the reduction of cost.
The reduced costs of a low throughput lifestyle allows for more free time because the less one spends time in actually going and purchasing, working to buy and then figuring out what to do with the ‘Things’ after they stop working or no longer used, the more free time will be available. The free time spent could also be considered along these lines. Mary and I love to travel, see different sites, meet different people and gain different ideas and perspectives. Much of our travel is by bicycle which allows us to really experience the area we are in. In developing skills at using mass transit and even hitch biking with our bicycles and camping gear allows for extended travel times because of the reduction of cost.
Many sites to be seen when traveling is the destination instead of traveling to a destination.
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Hitchbiking is a great way to avoid certain situations such as getting through a tunnel or over a dangerous bridge.
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Camping provides the perfect atmosphere
to meet people and share stories. |
In recent years the disparity has increased between the rich and the poor. When reducing personal throughput (getting rid of the ‘Thing’) more of the physical labor is directed towards building your own lifestyle, while less of your labor is directed to giving the wealthy more access to resources. A low throughput way of living allows poorer people a chance at a quality lifestyle because it cost less money. The money earned is allocated to building a personal lifestyle instead of paying corporations to mine, ship, refine…etc.. and instead is spent on assets that heal the Earth resulting in all the free benefits that nature can offer, reducing the need to fight over diminishing resources, a more secure food supply, a real sense of sharing resources globally, and most important a move to true human freedom. The need to heal the Earth could be part of our immigration policy. Instead of spending our resources on keeping people out perhaps migrants could help with an integrated program to become the envy of the world. Paradigm change, exponential growth, throughput, Law of Diminishing Returns, and Jevon’s Paradox as the foundation of education could be a part of everyday conversation, yet little is known about these concepts. Unless we acknowledge and learn how to get rid of the ‘Thing’ little progress will be made in meeting today’s challenges.
Education is essential to move towards a low throughput culture. Not only does it require physical labor, but also an academic understanding of mathematics, chemistry, biology, communication skills (through writing and media), and ways to express oneself through the arts. We need this change to be beautiful as well as utilitarian.