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Tuesday, 10 October 2006 15:15 |
| John North
Editor & Publisher |
Ever the Luddite, I was disappointed to read recently about the Asheville Police Department using those goofy-looking Segways ÇƒÓ like something out of "The Jetsons" ÇƒÓ to patrol the downtown area.
Worse, I learned that the N.C. Arboretum back in May offered two-hour, guided Segway tours around the lovely grounds that encompass about 434 acres.
A Segway, of course, is a two-wheeled, battery-powered, computerized, self-stabilizing human transporter, enabling people to cover more ground in less time.
In fact, Karen Chavez wrote on May 12 in the Asheville Citizen-Times that the Segway constitutes "a brilliant marriage of nature and technology ...." Argggh!
With
our cushy Western lifestyle often accompanied by burgeoning wastelines,
thatës all we need ÇƒÓ a device to save us from having to walk or
physically exert ourselves in any way.
Thus, I take
issue with Chavezës assertion about the merits of the Segway. Indeed, I
think the device is taking us in the wrong direction and should be
scrapped.
Perhaps as a
justification for the expenditure, the police department has said the
Segways are efficient and offer the added benefit of changing the
dynamics of interactions between patrol officers and the public,
perhaps making the officers more approachable and providing fodder for
friendly conversation.
At the
Arboretum, Segway XT, the manufactuer, was allowed to offer tours, with
the obvious blessing of what otherwise is known as an educational
establishment focusing on horticulture and environmental stewardship.
Ultimately, I
think the biggest draw of the Segway is that it is an
attention-grabber, a novelty and, reportedly, itës fun to drive. All
thatës great ÇƒÓ if youëre a 16-year-old. Certainly, there is no getting
around the obtrusiveness of these devices amid natureës own splendor.
And why be in a rush in the woods?
Moreover, fun
can be so much more. And perhaps the human race would benefit from
taking a lesson or two from the self-propelled vehicles and other
devices from old the television show, "The Flintstones."
For instance, I
would prefer to see the APD and the Arboretum encouraging the use of a
device called the Energy-Harvesting Backpack, which harnesses useful
amounts of electricity from the swaying motion as one walks.
Specifically, it
generates a bit more than 7 watts, which could run something like an
MP3 player, a PDA, night vision goggles, a handheld GPS device or a GSM
cell phone.
A backpack is
not obtrusive and carrying this particular one not only burns extra
calories for its carrier, but produces useful energy that doesnët
damage the environment.
In an age of
rampant child and adult obesity and a disconnect from our bodies and
nature, do we need to create technology like the Segway?
A better way for
sustainability is to balance humansë and natureës needs, with an
emphasis on health and transcendental enjoyment.
Solar-powered battery chargers.
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