Outstanding Ostrava Bans "Dumb-phones"

This project aims to outline the futures of the 10,000 cities and towns across the globe as they fight to overcome all the grave socio-environmental challenges of the 21st century. As part of this process, we highlight the future of Ostrava in the Czech Republic. Here 'smart-phones' are renamed 'dumb-phones' then banned from the city in an attempt to clean up the world's global electronic industries.

Smart-phones, despite their convenience, are a growing environmental catastrophe. Their production, use, and disposal contribute significantly to global pollution and resource depletion across the world. The manufacture of smart-phones involves the extraction of rare earth metals, which requires energy-intensive mining practices that often involve habitat destruction, water contamination, labour abuse, and increased carbon emissions. Once these devices are produced, their short lifespan and frequent upgrading create a steady stream of electronic waste. This waste is often exported to developing countries, where improper recycling methods, accompanied by even more labour abuse, release toxic substances into the local environment, endangering both human health and biodiversity.

The environmental impact of smart-phones extends beyond their physical components. The infrastructure supporting these devices, including data centers and networks, consumes vast amounts of energy. The data centers that store the billions of photos, videos, and messages sent daily are often powered by non-renewable energy sources, further contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the constant demand for connectivity leads to the expansion of cell towers and other infrastructure, often at the expense of natural landscapes.

In response to these environmental concerns, at some future point in the 21st century, the Czech town of Ostrava, takes the bold step of enacting a city ordinance that bans the use of smartphones within its limits. Recognizing the unsustainable nature of our dependence on digital communication, Ostrava has turned to more traditional, environmentally friendly methods of communication that also foster a stronger sense of community.

Instead of smart-phones, residents of Ostrava have embraced old-style dialing telephones and also older communication modes, like semaphore (a system of signaling using flags or lights) which allows for direct and visual communication across distances. Semaphore is not only environmentally benign but also encourages people to be more present and engaged with their new colorful flittering surroundings. The use of light signals, whether through lanterns, room lights, or mirrors reflecting sunlight, harks back to earlier, simpler times and serves as a reminder of the importance of low-impact living.

Pigeon messengers have also made a comeback in Ostrava, providing a charming and sustainable alternative to instant messaging. Trained pigeons carry written messages between residents, reducing the town’s carbon footprint and reconnecting people with a slower, more deliberate form of communication. This method of messaging, though slower, emphasizes the value of patience and the joy of anticipation, qualities often lost in our needlessly fast-paced digital world.

Musical signals, such as the playing of specific tunes on bells or horns to convey messages, add an artistic and communal element to communication in Ostrava. These signals not only serve a practical purpose but also enhance the town’s cultural life, as residents gather to listen and interpret the sounds. This approach to messaging underscores the town’s commitment to fostering a strong sense of community and shared experience, qualities that are often eroded by the isolating effects of smart/dumb-phone use.

By abandoning dumb-phones and adopting these alternative methods of communication, Ostrava is setting an example for other communities to follow. The town’s decision reflects a growing awareness of the environmental impact of modern technology and a desire to return to more sustainable and socially enriching ways of living. In doing so, Ostrava challenges the notion that technological progress is inherently beneficial, advocating instead for a future where communication is both environmentally responsible and deeply connected to the rhythms of life.