We are surrounded by digital technology that is complex, opaque, and outside of our control.
This has become the default, but it doesn't have to be. We need more small scale technology.
What makes something small scale technology?
- Simple: It's simple enough to be built and maintained as hobby.
- Small audience: It is useful and effective even with a small number of users.
- Independent: It can be built and operated without depending on a particular commercial service or product.
- Low cost: It is free or extremely low cost to operate.
- Understandable: Its behavior is sufficiently predictable by users and creators of the system.
- Modifiable: People can adapt it to their needs.
version 1.1
Jesse Kriss, October 2017
The idea of small scale technology is inspired in no small part by the thinking of Ursula Franklin, Fritz Schumacher, and of course, the Free Software Movement.
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