Open Source Low Tech
Open Source Low Tech is a collection of simple, low-tech, open-source solutions for everyday needs. The site shares designs and guides for building durable, repairable items like solar-powered chargers, water pumps, and basic tools, aiming to promote self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on complex supply chains.
Background
Open Source Low Tech is a website and manifesto arguing that technology can be simple, repairable, and sustainable — the opposite of the planned obsolescence and complexity found in most modern electronics. It draws on the broader "low-tech" movement (popularized by Kris de Decker's Low-Tech Magazine), which questions whether constant innovation and energy use are always beneficial. The site showcases real projects like a solar-powered website or a bike-powered washing machine, and emphasizes that "open source" doesn't have to mean complicated. For readers used to Silicon Valley's "move fast and break things" ethos, this is a deliberate counter-current: tech that prioritizes longevity, local production, and low energy consumption over speed or convenience.