PlantSense or Nonsense?
Gadgets like this—a USB-powered doohicky you plunge into your soil and then connect to a PC to figure out your plants’ needs—leave me ambivalent. One side of my brain thinks, “Great! I don’t have to think no more! Brainpower is SO overrated!” The other goes, “But … I can just stick my finger in the soil to tell if my plant needs water, and if it looks leggy and yellow that’s pretty much a good indication that it needs more sun.”
Then there is a little something gardeners and farmers have been using for millenia: if it’s dead, you’re screwing up, so whatever it is you’re doing, for the love of all that is good and holy, STOP IT.
I’m increasingly of the mind that personal technology is cluttering our lives, rather than being the panacea so often touted. $49.95 can’t buy common sense, y’all. In short, a fool and his money are soon parted.
wendy said,
October 25, 2006 at 1:30 am
Great reminder of the waste in technology. I just got a pda/email phone and wondered as the woman was trying to show me the possiblities how it was possible for me to own this and still have half the world starving. I am guilty and also amazed that our sense of balance can be so far off and still the world turns. This is why I teach about sustainable love… its all that keeps me going. Love to hear your feedback- http://www.makinglovesustainable.typepad.com
azgoddess said,
October 25, 2006 at 11:37 am
happen to agree with you on this one..a fool and his/her money…oh yes
as far as my plants…yes, they can frustrate me at times..but i love the touching of them - speaking to them..and i’m pretty sure they like it also..
Time saving gadget…or not… said,
May 18, 2007 at 5:19 am
[...] I really think the article that pointed out this device really does a good job of summarizing: The Worsted Witch » PlantSense or Nonsense? [...]
Gemma Blain said,
October 31, 2007 at 9:31 am
I personally think this is a great invention, if you work it out you will probably spend more replacing plants that you have killed so you may as well purchase one of these items and stop wasting your money on buying new plants, I also think that this is not just aimed at the public, shop owners that grow and sell plants will also benefit from this product as they will be able to monitor the plant progress saving them more money as they won’t be dying in the shops.