across the industry Age and the current information age, the Amish hold on to a long tradition manufacture as a primary form of work.
It should come as no surprise that the Amish also started making digital technologies, such as black box phones intended to replace cell phones. However, black box telephony is just one of many examples of a growing number of communication technologies being developed by the Amish for the Amish. These devices are designed to accomplish career goals with utmost precision while limiting the negative effects of today’s digital communications. The Amish recognize that this must have political implications. Manufacturing in general, and digital technology in particular, further enables the Amish to unleash their creativity, resist surveillance, control and maintain their way of life in the digital age.
The way the Amish use technology reveals a lot about the relationships they want to have with the larger society.In addition to black box cell phones, I also observed a series of Amish Workaround Reflects local values and is determined by social context. Specific combinations that contain solutions can also indicate a person’s Amish or shared group identity.
For example, when members of the Amish community use technology such as smartphones or cell phones, it is considered impolite to do so conspicuously, according to multiple Amish leaders. According to my contact Noah, the visibility of personal use of digital technology should be minimized to show respect for shared Amish values, heritage and traditions. In discussions with him and another participant, a business owner who uses computers and the internet at work every day, both agreed that people use these tools, but because they want to show respect for the community and its values , they do “can’t see” and “they just don’t talk about it” or they “know who they can talk to about it and they can’t talk about it”. So, in order to communicate efficiently enough through a cell phone or smartphone, while showing respect for the leaders of the Amish community, these folks have created a workaround. They use their devices, but only out of sight of others they know may disapprove.
I interviewed Ben, a 30-year-old office manager at a company that sells $2 million worth of products a year on a popular online auction site. During our conversation, he sat at the computer under the fluorescent light. Ben uses a flip phone, computer and the Internet at work. In his church, cell phones are allowed. He said, “If their church doesn’t allow it, I’m not going to take my phone to church, or answer it at church, or show it to a neighbor and say, ‘Look what I have.'” You have to use it respectfully. it. Ben also believes that if technology is used responsibly, “it’s not a big deal.” However, he believes technology will continue to move forward and be useful for running successful businesses. Of course, he and his employers, he says (A family member) wants to maintain their close-knit community, but they also believe “You have to make the most of what you have, and this is what we have. “You know, we can do this without technology, but why would we do it?” he said. The way we use technology does not conflict with our ethics. “
When I started fieldwork in a settlement, I was accompanied on several interviews by the curator of the local historical society and museum, who helped me get acquainted with the community. The director was with me when I interviewed Dennis, a successful business owner whose construction firm has a website. He tells us how he owns (but doesn’t drive) the truck. He described his many trips to Europe on luxury cruise ships. He told us that he loves the “elegant” things in life and that he has impressed us with his extensive volunteer work in numerous elite communities and on bank boards. His wife uses a smartphone at home to keep in touch with family members who live far away, and his three sons are now co-owners of the company.
