Let's do the math. Embodied energy for aluminum is apparently at 211 GJ per tonne[1] whereas wood has a caloric value of 19.2 GJ/tonne dry matter [2], but let's

Let's do the math. Embodied energy for aluminum is apparently at 211 GJ per tonne[1] whereas wood has a caloric value of 19.2 GJ/tonne dry matter [2], but let's say our wood has 50% moisture -> 9.6GJ/tonne => embodied energy at about 1/22 ratio An iPhone 12 has 164 g, of which 24% is aluminum. [4] => ~39.36g of aluminum in one. Ergo, your, presumably wood torch, would have to weigh 865g in order to be able to have the same embodied energy as an iPhone. Of course, this is highly simplified and silly and full of wonky napkin math, but at least I expect we're in the same order of magnitude range for the estimation. Regardless, doing the math, it is lower than I expected. Also, the greatest issue I took with your claim that "If you think an iPhone requires less raw materials to make than a torch, please go ahead and hand-sculpt one from raw sand." -> that sentence makes no sense and fails to prove your point. Maybe the point is correct, but it is NOT proven in any way by that sentence. I don't even have a stance on the torch/iPhone comparison (although the effort I expended on the napkin math might show otherwise, that was just a fun little exercise for me) And the wider point is that inovation might be better for the environment than lack of innovation. I am convinced that if we could move to a sustainable world if everything we bought would be higher quality and had more thought in it, abeit more expensive. The consolidation of purpose, as you nicely phrased it is one of the critical components that work for this "techstenance". And the stronger point, related to the iPhone specifically is that [1] https://theconversation.com/the-trouble-with-aluminium-7245 https://theconversation.com/the-trouble-with-aluminium-7245 [2] http://www.woodenergy.ie/frequentlyaskedquestions/ http://www.woodenergy.ie/frequentlyaskedquestions/ [3] https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_12-10509.php https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_12-10509.php [4] https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-metal-in-an-iphone-2018-6 https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-metal-in-an-iphone-...