WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.480 The Amish, simple people work in the land, 00:00:03.480 --> 00:00:08.800 a way of life that eschews the vain luxuries of modern technology, or does it? 00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:14.280 We tend to think of the Amish and Mennonites as if they haven't changed at all in the past centuries, 00:00:14.280 --> 00:00:20.760 but the reality is a lot more complicated. The Amish don't advocate the refusal of all technology. 00:00:20.760 --> 00:00:25.720 More so, Amish culture generally supports a mindful approach of gradual adoption 00:00:25.720 --> 00:00:29.000 based on principles of simplicity and practicality. 00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:34.560 This means that a huge loophole exists for technologies that are primarily work-related. 00:00:34.560 --> 00:00:38.120 Each community votes on its own rules, which can vary a lot from group to group, 00:00:38.120 --> 00:00:43.280 but in some cases, they're allowed to use computers and even cell phones so long as they are kept 00:00:43.280 --> 00:00:48.000 outside the home and are never flaunted. A small number of Amish began adopting computers 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:52.880 soon after they first became available to the mass consumer market in the mid 1970s. 00:00:52.880 --> 00:00:58.160 A particular favorite was the word processor, then a type of hardware rather than software. 00:00:58.160 --> 00:01:03.120 These were essentially electric typewriters and are hard to view as decadent or frivolous, 00:01:03.120 --> 00:01:08.680 but as personal computers became more powerful, do-it-all machines and began to incorporate elements 00:01:08.680 --> 00:01:11.680 for personal entertainment like music and games, 00:01:11.680 --> 00:01:16.080 standalone office devices like the word processor plummeted in popularity. 00:01:16.080 --> 00:01:19.920 By the late 1990s, most computer companies no longer manufactured them, 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:26.040 leaving the Amish without options. Enter Alan Hoover, an old order horse and buggy Mennonite 00:01:26.040 --> 00:01:30.720 who worked with computer scientists and Amish leaders to build a computer that suited the needs 00:01:30.720 --> 00:01:35.720 of Amish farms and businesses. But what does an Amish computer even look like? 00:01:35.720 --> 00:01:40.600 The first computer made specifically for the plain people by the plain people 00:01:40.600 --> 00:01:43.960 was the 2005 classic word processor, 00:01:43.960 --> 00:01:48.120 an ad for which promised no modem, no phone port or internet connection, 00:01:48.120 --> 00:01:53.560 no outside programs, no sound, no pictures, no games, no gimmicks, not even solitaire. 00:01:53.560 --> 00:01:59.440 That sinister succubus of workday distraction. A big focus is on what features the classic didn't have, 00:01:59.440 --> 00:02:03.680 but it did have a built-in keyboard and fold down eight inch full color screen, 00:02:03.680 --> 00:02:08.720 as well as USB ports for file sharing and optional peripherals like a printer or a mouse. 00:02:08.720 --> 00:02:13.240 The Amish typically avoid connecting to the power grid instead relying on pneumatic tools 00:02:13.240 --> 00:02:18.040 or locally generated power by a diesel generators, water wheels or solar panels. 00:02:18.040 --> 00:02:21.600 So the classic uses a battery rather than a wall plug. 00:02:21.600 --> 00:02:24.840 In order to remove as many connected features as possible, 00:02:24.840 --> 00:02:30.200 Hoover preloaded the computer with open source programs and then locked it from any further installation. 00:02:30.200 --> 00:02:34.640 Among its features, the classic proudly counts its complete incompatibility 00:02:34.640 --> 00:02:38.700 with all Microsoft computer programs. That's right, the Amish have computers 00:02:38.700 --> 00:02:43.440 and they're using Linux. All this for the low cost of $798, 00:02:43.440 --> 00:02:48.800 a fairly standard price for a low end computer of the era, albeit one that functions roughly like a PC 00:02:48.800 --> 00:02:54.720 from five years prior, according to Hoover. Turns out that some customers are willing to pay a premium 00:02:54.720 --> 00:02:58.320 for a computer that doesn't come packed with a bunch of nonsense features they don't want 00:02:58.320 --> 00:03:03.880 and the sinful touch of Bill Gates. Further, these devices were incredibly durable and secure. 00:03:03.880 --> 00:03:07.560 You might not be able to run Doom on it, but you won't have to replace it in four years either. 00:03:07.560 --> 00:03:11.240 An ad for an updated version of the classic lists a 12 inch display, 00:03:11.240 --> 00:03:17.760 dual core three gigahertz processor, four gigabytes of RAM and a 500 Gigabyte hard drive in 2014. 00:03:17.800 --> 00:03:22.200 By then the classic had several competitors, including The Guardian, The Pioneer, 00:03:22.200 --> 00:03:27.680 The Pleasant and The Plain Book, a laptop with no video, sound, internet or games. 00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:32.440 But it does have a typing tutor, quick books, Microsoft Office, full facts functionality, 00:03:32.440 --> 00:03:35.800 a PDF reader and a Bible reader and search program. 00:03:35.800 --> 00:03:40.040 These plain computers aren't competing primarily based on power performance. 00:03:40.040 --> 00:03:43.600 They're competing based on functionality, reliability 00:03:43.600 --> 00:03:46.800 and compliance with the guidance of Amish bishops. 00:03:46.840 --> 00:03:51.760 The key word here is trustworthiness. A modern version of the classic currently advertised 00:03:51.760 --> 00:03:56.200 by the Plain Community's Business Exchange is the classic steward word processor, 00:03:56.200 --> 00:04:02.040 which comes with a Linux based operating system, eight gigabytes of RAM, 120 Gigabyte solid state drive, 00:04:02.040 --> 00:04:05.600 a 4.1 gigahertz processor and a copy of Libra Office 00:04:05.600 --> 00:04:08.640 from 2017, perfect for inventorying your chickens. 00:04:08.640 --> 00:04:13.120 As most businesses have become increasingly online, Amish business owners have had to follow suit, 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:18.620 adopting the internet in small measured ways. Some use a PC free email service 00:04:18.620 --> 00:04:22.740 that allows them to receive emails in the form of a printout on their fax machine. 00:04:22.740 --> 00:04:25.820 And when they wanna answer an email, they just fax right back. 00:04:25.820 --> 00:04:28.820 A similar service even allows Amish to send faxes 00:04:28.820 --> 00:04:32.220 to request a basic internet search. One sec, I gotta send out a fax 00:04:32.220 --> 00:04:35.820 for hot singles in my area. Incidentally, you can't buy the classic 00:04:35.820 --> 00:04:39.620 or most other plain computers on the internet. You have to call the dealer. 00:04:39.620 --> 00:04:43.420 Sorry, Amazon. So thanks for watching guys. If you liked this video, hit like, hit subscribe 00:04:43.420 --> 00:04:46.500 and hit us up in the comments, maybe letting us know what everyday technology 00:04:46.500 --> 00:04:49.140 you'd prefer to live without and don't say tech wiki.