Intentional Tech: Choosing Simplicity, Reliability, and Privacy in a Connected World

In an increasingly interconnected world, a growing number of people are deliberately re-evaluating their relationship with technology, choosing a path of intentional low-tech or selective-tech adoption. This approach is less about shunning all innovation and more about thoughtful integration, prioritizing personal values like privacy, reliability, and resilience in daily life.

Why Embrace a Deliberate Low-Tech or Selective-Tech Approach?

The motivations for stepping back from the latest and greatest in technology are varied and often deeply personal:

• Skepticism of Trends and Groupthink: A common theme is a distrust of popular trends, leading individuals to question whether they genuinely need new technology or if they're simply being swayed by novelty and marketing. This often involves applying the "Lindy effect" – favoring technologies that have stood the test of time.
• Privacy and Data Concerns: With pervasive telemetry, data brokers, and the constant demand for internet connectivity, many are concerned about their personal data and digital footprint. Choosing low-tech options helps minimize exposure to tracking, algorithms, and AI-driven content.
• Reliability and Simplicity: Modern complex systems can be fragile, prone to software bugs, and dependent on continuous updates and internet access. Older, simpler, or purely mechanical devices often offer greater reliability, easier repairability, and straightforward functionality without hidden complexities.
• Avoiding Vendor Lock-in and E-Waste: Many find themselves tired of products designed for planned obsolescence, requiring constant charging, or dependent on a specific manufacturer's ongoing service. Opting for durable goods with user-replaceable parts combats e-waste and fosters independence from corporations.
• Tactile Experience and Focus: The loss of tactile controls in favor of touchscreens is a significant concern for some. Furthermore, reducing digital distractions allows for more focus on real-world hobbies, physical books, and direct human interaction.
• Resilience and Self-Sufficiency: A less technology-dependent lifestyle can build resilience against potential societal disruptions, such as large-scale power outages or cyber incidents, ensuring that essential functions can continue.

Strategies for a More Intentional Tech Life

Adopting a deliberate low-tech or selective-tech approach doesn't mean living off-grid, but rather making conscious choices:

• The '90s Rule': A practical mental model involves asking, "Is a new tech/service/device something that I would have wanted or needed back in the 1990s before the internet?" If the answer is no, it suggests the need might be artificially created by the technology itself, not a genuine pre-existing desire.
• Selective-Tech Integration: Rather than wholesale rejection, many opt for a "selective-tech" approach. This means embracing technology that provides a clear net positive while actively mitigating downsides. Examples include using privacy tools like Pi-hole and VPNs, or deploying security cameras locally instead of cloud-dependent smart systems.
• Prioritizing Offline and Physical: This involves a strong preference for physical books over e-readers, pen and paper for writing, analog clocks, and traditional radio. It extends to favoring face-to-face interactions or phone calls over social media, and local commerce over online services.
• Choosing Durable and Repairable Goods: Seek out appliances and vehicles that are known for longevity and ease of repair. Some deliberately choose pre-2004 vehicles, which are often simpler to maintain and less dependent on complex, proprietary electronics. Insist on user-replaceable batteries where possible.
• Limit Smart Connectivity: If an appliance comes with Wi-Fi, simply choose not to connect it. Many believe that household devices do not need internet access to function effectively, protecting privacy and reducing potential vulnerabilities.
• Embrace Simple Data Formats: For digital work, a preference for "boring technology" like text files, shell scripts, spreadsheets, and markdown over complex, proprietary cloud-based software promotes data longevity and portability.
• Cash and Barter: For transactions, favoring cash payments or even bartering over digital payment systems like Venmo or Zelle is a way to maintain financial privacy and independence.

This deliberate re-evaluation of technology leads to a lifestyle where practicality, longevity, personal control, and a reduction in digital noise take precedence, fostering a sense of calm and self-reliance in a rapidly evolving world.