Technology Diffusion

Lifestyle Technologies

Access to many different types of technology has become important in achieving a safe and efficient lifestyle. In the developing world, for example, modern construction methods require equipment such as electrical tools and goods, such as insulation for energy efficiency. When poor people live outside cities, as is common in much of the developing world, housing quality can be lower because of factors like a lack of passable roads to haul construction materials or lack of electricity to power tools. These structural factors cause a delay in the diffusion of the technology to the poor. When homes are constructed, home energy costs can be higher and repairs may be needed more frequently due to substandard construction.

Globally, technologies that permit innovations for providing electricity or clean running water, for example, have yet to diffuse into the most impoverished areas. Without electricity, labor-saving technologies such as home appliances are not usable, meaning that there is an additional time burden to accomplish some tasks. Lack of electricity can also lead to a lack of information, for example, when TVs and computers are not usable. It can also impact education when children cannot study their school lessons once it becomes dark.

Lack of clean water is also a serious problem. It makes it challenging to maintain adequate sanitation, which can lead to disease. When people cannot access clean water, it can be challenging to maintain the cleanliness standards needed for higher-paying work, such as those jobs that require clean uniforms. Without plumbing, accessing water needed for cooking, sanitation, and drinking can require carrying it over a distance, which is both difficult and time-consuming.

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