3 ms·
> Then, of course, run compressed air (or vacuuum?) lines through their house. This is fascinating to me and I respect the dedication to principles that it dem
by cfallin 12y ago
> Then, of course, run compressed air (or vacuuum?) lines through their house.
This is fascinating to me and I respect the dedication to principles that it demonstrates, independent of any logical arguments one could apply.
I'm curious, where does the energy for the compressed air come from -- surely there's not an electric compressor out back? I had always understood the Amish philosophy re: electricity as an explicit decision to take things slowly, value hard work, etc by using human or animal power; how did the folks you met justify use of compressed air?
- rdtsc 12y ago> surely there's not an electric compressor out back? There is a diesel generator powering a compressor. I believe (anyone please correct me here), this has started as a need to keep the milk (one of the top products sold by the Amish) cool. It was one of the government requirements for them to be able to sell it legally. So they basically desided that running a diesel generator powering a compressor somehow worked out ok. Then someone had the idea to just use compressed air to deliver or store energy for other needs. Then a whole side business of converting electrical appliances to pneumatic power developed. For example here is a picture I found of a pneumatic ceiling fan: http://amishamerica.com/amish-ceiling-fan/ http://amishamerica.com/amish-ceiling-fan/
- JoeAltmaier 12y agoThe Amish are not about low-tech; they're about self-sufficiency.
- richardw 12y agoUnless they mined the ore and built the generator themselves, they're probably dependent on the rest of civilisation to some extent. They're probably about "minimising dependency" rather than full self-sufficiency. Either way, very impressive way to live.
- fizx 12y agoI think that's actually a ceiling fan "swamp cooler." Clever!