Focal Technology

Discussion

Martijntje Smits introduces the distinction between 'focal technology' and commodity:

"If you look at ... the device paradigm philosophy, coined by philosopher Albert Borgmann, it’s the difference between a commodity and a focal technology. Say you have a water well and a faucet. The water well is a focal technology, because it takes effort to pull up water and you have to maintain the well together to make sure it doesn’t dry out. The faucet is a commodity, you turn it on and you have an endless, effortless supply of water. Green in the city should be a focal technology, not a commodity. Something you build from the ground up, together. Green spaces will have more effect on people if they feel responsible for them and don’t take them for granted." (https://letitgrow.org/martijntje-smit-technology-more-efficient/)