About a month ago, I received a letter from my electricity provider announcing a scheduled interruption for a few hours. Last Monday, that interruption became an unscheduled disruption. After about 7.5 hours, my electricity returned.
I’m slowly realising that I took my energy supplies (eg, electricity, gas, water) for granted. Most likely, my feeling of taking such things for granted will return in several weeks. Next time, I will not stay at home though.
Such interruptions – let alone (major) disruptions – are rare in my country. Energy disruptions are rather common in Kenya and more than common in South Africa. Hence, their emergency power generators are must-have tools.
Late 2023, a WaPo article warned about our reliance on technology. It claimed that our beliefs are essential to our weaknesses rather than technology. See my related blog: A reliance on technology creates weaknesses?
I suppose that the ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian electricity plants relate to the above. Disruption creates chaos and then a (political) vacuum that is essential for creating a new (political) equilibrium.
Remarkably, electricity is not present in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. From an African perspective, electricity is (often) a luxury. A Dutch focus would claim that such an exclusion is wrong. Also see the related Quora discussion.
Perhaps, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (1943) is outdated, at least outside Africa. For many, technology is like a new religion; see my 2018 blog: Technology, the new Religion. Also see the Conversation, Fast Company, MIT, Quora, Reddit.
“Electricity is really just organized lightning.”
A quote by George Carlin (1937-2008), an American stand-up comedian
Electricity (1979) by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
band, lyrics, video, Wiki-band, Wiki-song
[Verse 1]
Our one source of energy
The ultimate discovery
Electric blue for me
Never more to be free
Electricity
Nuclear and HEP
Carbon fuels from the sea
Wasted electricity
[Verse 2]
Our one source of energy
Electricity
All we need to live today
A gift for man to throw away
The chance to change has nearly gone
The alternative is only one
The final source of energy
Solar electricity
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless in quotes or stated otherwise.
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