[spiderice]

Which is what? Not being dependent on an electrical grid?

[hervature]

I think you are more or less correct with regards to electricity but the rule applies more broadly to technology. Obviously, the Amish use wheels and other tools. The problem for them (and which I think a great many people would agree) is when technology ceases to serve us and we (society) become indentured to the technology. Consider all these "phone-free" movements, limited screen time, and social media detoxes. In this light, the Amish seem very much enlightened that they take many years to deliberate whether a technology is an overall positive or detriment. Going back to the use of electricity. I think probably a huge part of a grid that works at nighttime is that it definitely changes society in the sense that nightlife is all of a sudden possible. You can debate whether or not it's a positive impact to society but the impact is inarguable. People will fall on different sides of that debate.

[tivert]

> The problem for them (and which I think a great many people would agree) is when technology ceases to serve us and we (society) become indentured to the technology.

This is a very good book on the subject: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technopoly.

It has three kinds of relationships a culture can have to technology:

tool-using culture: the culture is dominant, tools are used to solve problems and are sued to serve the culture, not attack it.

technocracy: tools attack and change the culture, but the culture still has some force to it.

technopoly: the tools are dominant, and all of culture and humanity must submit to them and their needs. A "totalitarian technocracy."

The Amish are a tool-using culture. General western society is a technocracy or technopoly.