Abraham wrote:I get a kick out the various Amish-type philosophies, that is, folks who find an era of lower technology that suits them and declare it best.
I then wonder how they arrive at their conclusions.
It seems to me, if one derides higher technology, finding the lower nobler, why not rid themselves of all vestiges of technology?
Heck, why not go all the way and wear animal skins and use flint axes?
Wait, that too includes technology, primitive though it may be.
All right, to be truly noble, remain naked and scavenge.
Now, that's noble...
I do not understand the details of what the Amish do or do not believe. There are many sects of them in both PA and OH and there are many differences between them. What makes them unique, while it may have some religious basis that only they understand, is the social aspect of their lifestyle. If one could have frozen what happened when their ancestors arrived in America, that appears to be the basis for their social customs. While I personally wouldn't like the life style, they seem to have avoided many of the ills of society that the rest of us have to deal with. I don't think it is as much of a rejection of technology as it is a rejection of the bad aspects of what technology can do to their community. Some groups use gas powered engines but only if they are not self propelled.
We regularly visit Amish farms when we visit our relatives. They are very friendly people, excellent businessmen and grow terrific produce. They just don't dress or live as we do. They work very hard.
You can tell an Amish farm very far away, even if you don't notice the lack of motorized vehicles. There is always a VERY LONG clothes line that normally stretches from the house to a much higher point on the side of the barn. Those clotheslines seem to always be filled with clothes. There is nothing like putting the family wash in very public view.
