Smartphone use has led to “dematerialisation” of consumption of other gadgets, such as calculators, cameras and camcorders, creating a positive environmental impact, wrote Andrew McAfee in Wired. Technological progress means that dematerialisation is everywhere, creating thinner aluminium cans, energy-efficient engines, lighter buildings and precision agriculture, McAfee noted. The report also noted the impact on our health from increased air pollution, which can be reduced by switching to electric cars or using public transport. Dematerialisation has also expanded due to corporate competition under capitalism. Businesses have prioritised using less resources to save money. Devices such as iPhones could therefore result in an age of physical, rather than intellectual, Enlightenment, McAfee predicted.
Smartphone use has led to “dematerialisation” of consumption of other gadgets, such as calculators, cameras and camcorders, creating a positive environmental impact, wrote Andrew McAfee in Wired. Technological progress means that dematerialisation is everywhere, creating thinner aluminium cans, energy-efficient engines, lighter buildings and precision agriculture, McAfee noted. Such technologies require a lot of electricity in aggregate, but save energy throughout the economy. Dematerialisation has also expanded due to corporate competition under capitalism. Businesses have prioritised using less resources to save money. Devices such as iPhones could therefore result in an age of physical, rather than intellectual, Enlightenment, McAfee predicted.