RE: Computers and Global responsibility - was RE: Snap, Crackle, Pop - VST Effect & Sound Card Problems

["jeff larson" <jeff.larson@sailpoint.com>]

> From: Dean, Hal
> 
> This whole sequence prompts me to solicit everyone's thoughts on the
> environmental impact of gear acquisition syndrome and the migration to
> computers of so much of what "electronic musicians" of any stripe do.

If you want to read about looping, HIT DELETE NOW!

I think the environmental impact of computers is a reasonable topic of
discussion, but I'm not convinced that the choices musicians make are
very significant.

People that use a computer only for music represent a tiny fraction of
the computer market.  An analogy might be: I'm concerned about the
economy's dependence on oil, should we be using manual lawn mowers?

> On the larger scale, the use of computers everywhere for everything is
> so widely touted as a boon to productivity, and so often cited as an
> environmental benefit because pixels replace paper and people can
> telecommute, that it seems blasphemous to question this 
> received wisdom.

I think the productivity boon is unquestioned.  I have not heard
arguments that there is any great environmental benefit, at least not
for pixels vs. paper.  If anything, increases in productivity allow us
to generate waste of all sorts more rapidly.

> Try looking up the "cost of the Internet"... it's
> interesting how little you can find about it. But all these home and
> business boxes consuming power

If you're concerned about power consumption, then stop using your
toaster, hair dryer, television, and guitar amps.  Stop consuming so
much disposable manufactured crap you don't need.  Use public
transportation.  There are lots of things in the world that have an
impact on the environment.  Disposal of computer waste is one of
those.  Sure, we should be concerned about this but I don't think
musicians need to start feeling bad if they buy a computer.

Computers aren't going to go away any more than automobiles will, and
we know what an environmental disaster those are.  Manufacturers need
to be pressured to build products with less environmental impact.  It
can almost always be done, it just costs more.  

We may get some psychological satisfaction by avoiding technology,
but if we want to make a measurable difference it's harder.

Jeff