Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The Frugal Society

Sustainability the Argentinian Way: Old Printing Press in Buenos Aires, Argentina
I suppose the frugal society is an ideal breeding ground for sustainability. Sustainability, in a nutshell, is the principle of an economic system that suits the demands of today without burdening future generations. In most high-tech societies where the maximization of revenue is the strongest economic impetus the buy and trash cycles become shorter and shorter. Hence, times are tough for the traditional gadgets. Not so in Argentina. It is truly fascinating what large numbers of old machinery you can find in daily life in Buenos Aires. Traditional machines that surely have seen better days which are still kept functioning and resilient like this old printing press. For sure, a certain adversity has unintentionally built a frugal society and forces people to be more prudent and more rational in their planning and spending.

9 comments:

Lowell said...

Once again, a fascinating post and a commentary that I find absolutely right on!

That old printing press looks familiar...and it reminds me of the mimeographs we used just in the schools just a few years ago! Well, maybe 30 years ago!

peenkfrik said...

I definitely agree. We can expect anything from the current economic situations.

AB said...

And here we are making the printing press redundant by using the internet. Shame on us!

Celeste Maia said...

Today I arrived back in Madrid, after two months in Portugal. I have this house, which has been closed for so long, to clean and get organized again. And I have to get ready for work. But I wanted to say hello from Spain and visit my friend from beautiful Buenos Aires. I liked your entry, you are absolutely right about sustainability.

EG CameraGirl said...

Argentines (is that what people in Argentina call themselves?) should feel proud of living in a sustainable society. Repairing equipment is a skill most North Americans don't have. It's shameful, really.

Unknown said...

This is a great post! Very true indeed!

Marie-Noyale said...

I "concur"!!
Printing machines are beautiful for every thing they stand for..

Andreea said...

I totally agree that we should not burden the future generations because we can't help ourselves from buying stuff we don't need. And I think living frugal is always best, also from the point of freedom. If you don't buy that "bigger car" you don't need, you won't have to work day and night to pay for it and miss other good things in life.

Prospero said...

There is a certain appeal in old machines, and it's not necessity only.