Dangerous Designs; Buttons Knobs Switches Dials

In our households we have the luxury of being able to saunter around flipping switches, turning knobs and pressing buttons until we are comfortable and satisfied. These actions become so commonplace that children grow up with the expectation to get what they want when they want it without considering the source. Wasting water has little effect on the conscience when one has grown up to understand that the faucet will always dispense water if you turn it.
    Out of sight, out of mind. Flip the switch and on turns a light. Press the button and music starts. Turn the knob and water boils. Turn the dial enough and heat sneaks into every corner of the house. How much are we able to intuitively understand about the sources of these utilities by the ways in which we interact with them? The danger lies in the lack of understanding, and through that lack of understanding the lack of appreciation.
    Middle class suburban folk do not need to know where their water comes from, as long as it keeps coming and as long as brita filters continue to be manufactured. Electricity is even more mysterious. I truly have no idea what actually happened that allowed energy to transfer from some unknown source to the outlet that allowed my computer to charge and me to sit here pressing buttons and making letters appear on a lit screen. For some, these unknowns are exactly what signifies progress and sets the mark for our standard of living. While we surely have progressed in order to reach this point, I still argue that the comfortable shell we hide inside now is dangerous. It is dangerous for the individuals physical and mental health and for the health of the world provides us with the means to live. It is far too easy and commonplace living within the current electrified suburban or city design to give our fingers and mouths the most exercise. Wake up, press buttons, turn knobs, eat food. Press buttons, turn key, arrive at work. Press buttons, wait for moving platform to arrive. Ride the platform up stairs, flip switches, turn on computer. Press keys dial numbers. Repeat the processes to arrive home again only to press another button and turn a knob for entertainment until you fall asleep. Plan ahead and press buttons so the moving pictures will stop once you drift off.

    The design of the suburban life is comfortable and easy and exciting in a lot of ways. However, with the comfort comes the danger. Without understanding where the things we use come from, we are able to ignore the effects our use has on those sources. Without having to understand things like electricity, plumbing systems, water systems, and central heating and cooling we are less equipped to take care of ourselves and more likely to waste due to that lost connection.