Tech this out

How does one get as far away from tech as possible in world that can't seemingly function without it? What even qualifies as "tech"? Does it need to have a microchip? (No.) Does it need to connect to the internet? (No.) Does it need to have a web browser? (No.)

Tech is anything that quantifiably improves your life — and you are the only person who's ultimately qualified to make that judgement. The typewriter, the ballpoint pen, the wheel — all were new technology at one point, and all of them left a permanent mark on human history. But does the tech you use today, new or not, make you a part of history or part of a pie chart in Big Tech's slideshow for shareholders?

Again, that's for you to decide (and be honest with yourself). I'm only a couple of years into my great digital minimalism journey, but I've found a few devices and apps that bring back the good ol' 2000's with a modern twist; they keep me off social media, limit distractions, and make it easy to check out ebooks from the library. (Parents of high school kids: this list is especially for you. School administrators: this list is especially-especially for you.)

Light Phone 3

Schools want smartphones out of classrooms. Parents and students want smartphones in classrooms. May I present to you (drumroll) a solution!

Buy it, maybe

ReMarkable 2

It won't solve the chatGPT epidemic, but it will solve cheating on in-class essays. (Yes, you can email your teacher with it and access your Google Drive files.) Students should have this, not Chromebooks.

Buy it, maybe

Kobo Libra 2

It's not a Kindle; that's all I care about.

Buy it, maybe

Libby

Don't just buy books. Support your local library and a great app that makes ebooks easy to borrow.

Use it, maybe

Overdrive

Makes it possible to checkout library books straight from your Kobo.

Use it, maybe

Disclaimer: I receive no affiliate revenue.