Originally Posted by
ianbrettcooper
In my opinion, this study is asking the wrong questions and seems to be biased towards getting people hooked up to technology. I thought being car-free was (at least in some part) about FREEING oneself from technology.
That's an interesting (and controversial) point. If you think about environmentalism, the criterion is usually that we should use "appropriate" technology. When computers and other new technology make other machines or systems more efficient, they can be quite helpful.
One example is programmable thermostats for home heating and cooling systems. Another example is using computer programs that efficiently route Fedex and UPS trucks. Using the internet to work from home saves a lot of energy. Someday, using mobile technology to permit people to work from anywhere will probably save even more.