Redesigning Computing for Openness

The Ethics of Consuming Devices

Abstract

Consumer electronics design is an easily relatable and fast-cycling field of interest to students of all kinds, but particularly to those studying information science. Within this field, the e-waste problem is a significant ethics issue. Why does the logic of using computers involve the repeated purchasing and consumption of new machines, or “molded plastic epics” (Gabrys, 2011), and their significant manufacturing expenditure of carbon? Thinking back on calculating devices which supported problem-solving and this ethical problem of repeated consumption, the simple solar calculator stands out for its durability. The reason may be the initial sustainability design: early calculators, like more recent Citizen Eco-Drive watches, use a solar ambient-energy harvesting strategy that doesn’t store electricity in batteries; consequently they are very long lasting and low maintenance. As there are very few energy-harvesting electronics devices in the market reflecting emerging green narratives of degrowth, reuse, and upcycling, this research paper reviews the history and design of some of these rare devices while discussing their energy experience design strategies in the context of modern consumer electronics. I also present a series of speculative prototypes which feature broad affordability, openness, and a more ethical consumption ethos as discussion artefacts for design education students engaging with this problem.