Bear with me for a moment while I switch from clock hardware to personal well-being: Rose, do you think you could train yourself to wake up without an alarm? After all, our bodies have their own clocks, run by light and hormone fluctuations. Now, before you settle on your next clock, let’s talk about one more option – one that requires no plastic, no metal, or any other resources at all. But most models must rely on a backup battery, so it won’t get you completely away from the battery disposal question. You may have also heard of a solar alarm clock, a timekeeper that uses a solar cell to wring power out of sunlight or even room light. Pro: They make every morning a science experiment! Con: Mining zinc and copper isn’t exactly eco-friendly. Then we have the water clock, a similar device that uses electrodes, fresh water, and a splash of lemon juice to create a simple battery. There’s the mud clock, a bedside planter powered by the reaction between zinc and copper electrodes in moist dirt. But let’s also take a look at a few more nifty technologies at work in the alarm-clock world. Check out a new one (just read the fine print – some now come tricked-out with battery-powered backlights), or, my favorite option, rustle up a charming vintage model.įor my money, the mechanical clock is your best bet because it’s totally off the grid. You simply use a key to wind up the internal mechanism, Rose, and the magic of gears and springs keeps your clock ticking until wake-up time. You know the kind: Those cute, round, two-bell ringers most of us have probably seen primarily in cartoons. They do indeed still make electricity- and battery-free alarm clocks. But with your phone banished from your bedside, how will you know when it’s time to start the day? Kudos to you for setting some boundaries with your smartphone – I’m going to go out on a limb here and say Twitter has no place in the bedroom. Here's Howįor all its benefits, the digital age has sure ushered some invasive technology into our lives. To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |