http://www.modernluddite.com Smash the machines! Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:01:53 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en A few weeks ago, I visited the Sleep and Dreaming exhibition at the Wellcome Collection. After checking out the exhibition, we took the opportunity to explore the rest of the Collection. Up a spiral staircase we went, tucked into a corner in the Sleep exhibition, and discovered the Medicine Now ... http://www.modernluddite.com/2008/03/14/wellcome-luddites/ It's almost a shame that this blog doesn't have a slightly broader scope; maybe "how granny used to do it" or something. Maybe that would attract the wrong crowd, though. Anyway, there's something truly Luddite-ish about this particular article, and it's thoroughly practical and healthy with it. So even if ... http://www.modernluddite.com/2007/11/20/recipe-for-making-your-own-bread/ Over at The Good Human there's a post listing some cheap alternatives to standard cleaning products that you'd use around the home. They've got all the usual chores covered, from cleaning the oven and the fridge, to polishing wood floors and unblocking the bath plug. http://www.modernluddite.com/2007/11/06/cheap-household-cleaning-products/ A long time ago, a friend of mine emailed me about a chap in Australia who started wondering why all domestic refrigerators are vertically constructed. You may have spotted the obvious side-effect of this design if you've ever opened the fridge while in bare feet: all the cold air falls ... http://www.modernluddite.com/2007/10/11/efficient-refrigerator/ A friend recently took me to Springfield Park community orchard in Hackney, London. What a great place! The gates are left unlocked, and anyone can pop in to tend the trees or pick apples. There are plenty of other community orchards around the country; try this Google search of all ... http://www.modernluddite.com/2007/08/28/community-orchards/ Some interesting thoughts about opting out of the money economy, courtesy of WiseBread. The money economy? Yep, there are other types. Bartering, the "gift economy", and more. Not for everyone, but definitely some interesting tips, and thought-provoking writing. http://www.modernluddite.com/2007/08/07/opting-out-of-the-money-economy/ This blog is about practical tips and personal stories on living with a reduced reliance on expensive and time-wasting technology. It's not generally a place for comment and opinion. However a couple of days ago, I spotted a brief "news" story from which I think we can all learn a ... http://www.modernluddite.com/2007/04/20/virgin-train-toilets-going-down-the-pan/ Why don't you just switch off your TV set and go out and do something less boring instead? Sound advice from a hideous, erm, TV show of the seventies. Lord knows the average number of hours people sit in front of the TV, developing back-aches and mushy brains. The question ... http://www.modernluddite.com/2007/04/15/television-drug-of-the-nation/ The "latte factor" refers to the cumulative cost of purchasing coffee from high-street vendors. Every morning you visit Pret, Starbucks, or Costa for your tall-skinny-mocha-frappucino, you fork out a little. Maybe £1 or £2, maybe more? But if you're like me, that's every morning, and quite often at lunch time ... http://www.modernluddite.com/2006/11/15/brew-your-own-coffee-and-make-your-own-lunch-to-take-into-work/ I've often wondered what is the most efficient way of heating up food, microwave or conventional oven? And what about heating water, which is most efficient: microwave; electric kettle; or stove? Which uses the least power, and hence saves the most cash? Today I was leafing through an old copy of ... http://www.modernluddite.com/2006/11/12/microwave-or-conventional-oven-or-kettle/