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Topic Started: Dec 12 2006, 02:27 AM (169 Views)
Eral
Kopi Luwak
http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/all...5081019563.html

I found it challenging to be at the beach for 2 days without my computer: let alone all my appliances. It's a really interesting idea, though.
I am against the switching off of the fridge, and the thought of doing the washing by hand also gets my ix-nay. The phone? Hmm. Also got to remain on. The oven and hot water? On.

Definitely could exist without the microwave, the dryer, the coffee machine (though it pains me greatly to say that) the electric toothbrush, the TV, the stereo.

Air-conditioning? Serious challenge. Computer? I'm feeling pain.
Lights? I experience a lot of candle light due to the privatisation of the electricity company, which leads to black outs every few months if a possum ever gets suicidal and throws itself at a power box. Really don't want to do without light, as reading by candlelight is a serious pain in the arse. Electric clocks? But they're so quiet, and reliable.

I'd be pretty crap at this challenge. :lol:
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Bex
puppet dictator
Well, we'd have to eat everything in the frige and deep freeze first, which would either involve eating a lot more meat in a shorter time period than we normally would (not exactly an eco-friendly option), or would take several weeks or months (I just sorted out the freezer, and there's a fair bit in there). Wouldn't be able to cook anything, as all methods of cooking food would appear to involve using some kind of power or fuel, including boiling water.

I can give up the computer for a few days or even weeks at a time without issue (as long as I don't have to work, that is). Depends what else I have to keep me occupied, but if I'm running around at a theatre festival for a week, my email can go screw itself, frankly. Forums will (probably) still be there when I get back.

I don't drive, and I take public transit all the time. My TV sees very litle use as it is. Phone? Eh. So people can't call me. I probably didn't feel like talking anyway. Electric alarm clock? Not on weekends. I do have a wind-up one stashed in the closet. Mostly I rely on an analog wristwatch during the day. Stereo - that's a toughie. Two days without would be livable though. We do shut it right off when not in use.

I don't own a dishwasher (except Justin, bless him). But our running water also uses power. The hot water heater uses power. As previously noted, we just upgraded to the most energy-efficient model we could get. Our washing machine is also energy-efficient, and I wash pretty much everything in cold water. I do hang a lot of things to dry, and try to run the dryer as efficiently as possible.

We don't have air-conditioning (fans in summer are usually sufficient). Heat is another matter. I live in a cold climate. It's also very dark at this time of year. Candlelight is charming enough until you have to rely on it, I think. We're using compact fluorescent bulbs in every fixture we can.

Also, if the filters and heater on my aquarium were turned off - bad news for the fish. Likewise the heat for the snakes. Not that these are huge power consumers, but they're there.

If the main thrust of the challenge is to get people to think about the resources they use, then that's all well and good. I know there are areas I could improve, but I'm trying to be sensible about this kind of thing. That's all anyone can do to start.
I belong to one of those families that does not speak to or see its members as often as we should,
but if someone needed anyone to fall on a sword for her, there would be a queue waiting to commit the deed.
-Min Jin Lee
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Eral
Kopi Luwak
I mostly listen to music in my car. Hmm. Since I'd be taking pubic transport everywhere, and a ten minute journey would take 45, I'd be needing a Walkman or iPod. Hmm. Stereo needs to go on the serious challenge list.
I have a dishwasher. I love only my coffee machine and washing machine more. I could live without it. But I wouldn't want to.

Vaccuum cleaner? Happy to ditch. Evil inventions.

I used to think my fora would be still there when I got back. Namc closed while I was away: ditto for icelus Godzilla'ing CT.
I now am greatly relieved when I return to find all is well.
Internet is like the phone to me: essential for keeping in touch with one's friends.
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Bex
puppet dictator
I could live without keeping in touch with people for two days. I've been known to go much longer than that for no particular reason whatsoever. You know, nothing much worth saying to anyone, so I just don't.

I'll admit that my silences are not easy for everyone to deal with. My friends and immediate family don't mind, but people who know me less well always figure something is wrong (either troubles in life, or I'm just plain weird [arguable]).
I belong to one of those families that does not speak to or see its members as often as we should,
but if someone needed anyone to fall on a sword for her, there would be a queue waiting to commit the deed.
-Min Jin Lee
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Eral
Kopi Luwak
I'm garrulous: you're not. :D
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Krazy
Member Avatar
I haz powah!
Hmm, I'd be seriously ill, if I had to give up all electricity for two days, but if we are talking about non-essentials then I'd miss my computer first (and I have 3 in my flat, 1 is rarely used though, and the other is my router sharing the internet connection), then TV. Electric toothbrush would be annoying but doable. I could live without a fridge (well one of them the other is essential), don't have an mp3 player or mobile phone so no probs there. The car would be missed, but I could do without for two days and I've gone longer.

Edit: I hoover and iron about once a month, so again no probs :lol:
"Well, ‘course dis one’s betta! It’s lotz ‘eavier, and gots dem spikey bitz on de ends. "
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