Strategies for Degrowth Computing

Abstract

More energy is typically expended on a computer's manufacture than during its working life. This paper looks at 1) the concept of resource reduction and scarcity in the economy, degrowth, applied to the rendering of computing and information services, "degrowth computing" and identifies some strategies. It 2) explores some degrowth concepts around energy autarky with a Raspberry Pi, with some further thoughts about consumption within the research frames of the Limits community. When is the most sustainable computer not a new one? When might people not need consume this most useful of tools?