Technology Will Save Us: Helping People Consume Less Technology By Making It Themselves

Daniel Hirschmann and Bethany Koby are displacing the traditional notions of haberdashery with Technology Will Save Us, a movement that brings the craft of making into the tech space to enforce change.

At PSFK CONFERENCE LONDON 2012, the founders discussed how they are breaking down the barriers between everyday people and the mysteries of technology by providing “kits for everyday life.” From an electro greeting card to a thirsty plant kit, they offer a DIY approach for interested parties to learn the simple process of how to create a tech object, encouraging them to “produce and not merely [consume] technology.”

Hundreds of classes have taken place since they began over a year ago, and there are seven regular workshops a month taking place now at London’s Google Campus, British music store Rough Trade East and their headquarters Space Studios, with the team also building kiosks in retail locations to further embed the idea of being production-focused. Transforming communities into makers, for Hirschmann and Koby, is how they contribute to a shift in innovation, instilling “pre-skill” activities that then allow people to “fix, re-use and re-purpose”, ultimately leading to “more sustainable, conscious lives.”.

In one year, their output has seen ten kits, with two new ones launched to market: a puzzle radio kit and a bright eyes kit, which plays video within the lens, itself.  With Kickstarter’s new launch in the UK market, they plan to bring their programmable LED glasses to the market.