The Amish understand a life-changing truth about technology the rest of us don’t

>The Amish use us as an experiment. They watch what happens when we adopt new technology, and then decide whether that’s something they want to adopt themselves. I asked one Amish person why they didn’t use automobiles. He simply smiled and turned to me and said, “Look what they did to your society.” And I asked what do you mean? “Well, do you know your neighbor? Do you know the names of your neighbors?” And, at the time, I had to admit to the fact that I didn’t. And he pointed out that my ability to simply bypass them with the windows closed meant I didn’t have to talk to them. And as a result, I didn’t.

I wonder how they feel about online dating.

I'd hesitate before taking any moral lessons from the Amish in regards to technology, other than that it's possible and worth it to choose your relationship with it rather than let it control you. But you don't need the Amish to work that out. I wouldn't say they're necessarily better off for what they're doing, and to say otherwise is just idealistic.

They have the same sorts of problems we have, and don't have the ability to tap into the global Internet for insights and solutions. Meanwhile global society continues to evolve as ideas spread ever faster.

There's beauty in that way of life, but much sadness too.

It always seems like somewhat of a contradiction but the Amish have a big hand in the American RV industry. They are usually associated with a better quality product.

Newmar with Amish owners makes some of the most technologically packed motor homes with interiors that don't really remind me of the simple Amish life:

https://www.newmarcorp.com/why-newmar/company-history/missio...

This seems awfully close to the Kevin Kelly interview with Tim Ferriss, including the order the points are raised. I'm surprised he wasn't quoted or at least referenced.

https://tim.blog/2014/08/29/kevin-kelly/comment-page-2/