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A surge protector.

I'd probably switch off between appliances as I needed them.

I would probably waste a lot of that energy powering my computer when I could. I have an addiction, and frankly, school requires it.

I don't think I could stick with one thing. I would want to pump water, #1, but that panel won't do it, at least not around here. You're right, Dragon, no a.c. either. Looks like they have just enough power for the laptop or a couple of lights or charging the phone----just enough, perhaps, to make them want to leave there and go to town? I don't remember seeing any storage batteries (were there?), so when the sun's out, it's lights out, unless you've recharged a small lantern? I don't know......maybe I'm just a slight-bit distrusting these days, but it looks to me like the real purpose here is to tempt people into town. Just a few more panels could really make their lives different, maybe better (that's always up to the individual) right where they are, so why not really make things better for everyone right where they are? All those little panels scattered willy-nilly could be replaced by a decent-sized panel or two, maybe provide some refrigeration or (once again) water. Or....?

I realize that wasn't the answer to your original question, Dragon.
I apologize.

To answer your question: My laptop with Internet if possible. If not, I would go without.


Relating to the article, I really dislike it when the Western world is shown as The Be All And End All - that something that everyone needs to strive for. rolleyes

I watched the entire series of BBC's Tribe. It was really eye opening to how Western culture has affected, mostly negatively, indigenous tribes. One tribe in Africa has a very hard time adhering to their culture, with pressures from a nearby Westernized tribe to give up their hunter-gatherer ways and become farmers. (Farming puts pressures on the little food resources and water because it's not what's naturally occured in their evolution.)

In starting down this path, they now have to rely on money. With money comes debt. Because the way our system is set up, someone has to be in debt to another for it to work. Because these items make life "easier" they no longer spend the day doing what they would normally do so they're required to fill it up with junk.

I certainly don't want them to go without opportunities, it just needs to be done so carefully that Western life isn't glamourized and theirs is looked down upon. In the Tribe documentary, only one tribe understood. At a specific age they would take the journey into the city, receive an education and then come back to their home.

/rant

If I could power one thing, it would be myself with some food. It would take up too much power to run any device, regardless of how simple the task is.

If i had to power one thing i would probably use it to power a light or my cellphone. But i agree with that this doesn't seem like it will drasticly improve their quality of life it just means they can charge their phone and run a couple of lights. It doesn't allow them to pump water, or to run any sort of machines, or store food in a refrigerator or heat or cool their homes. It just gives them enough to do the bare minimum. When a few extra panels could really amp up what their capable of powering with a small storage battery system. It is cool that technology has come so far in the last decade or two though.

It would all depend on the situation for me. If I was living where I am now? Probably my a/c. I have a ferret and in Florida, hot temperatures is very bad for him.
If I was in her situation, or one similar far away from electricity... Probably a water pump or something to that effect.

Honestly a lot of times I wish things were a lot less... modern?
Don't get me wrong, I love technology and I can be pretty lazy- but there's a large part of me that really wouldn't mind getting stranded somewhere and having to survive with use of hard work and no electricity.
Is that weird? Rofl.

As pirhan said, I really do think we should be a lot more careful. Sure the way things are in Western societies are comfortable and work, but we have to remember it doesn't work for everyone, and there's a lot of negatives in with the positives.
There HAS to be some sort of balance.
I could go on and on about how things have become highly corrupted and blah blah blah, but that's not really the point here I guess lol.
As was again stated by pirhan, it's not about taking away opportunities- that goes a long with the fact that there needs to be a balance. It's more about not corrupting a culture and group of people with ideas and pressure they do not want or need. Who are we to impose our way of life on them?

Interweb capable computer- I can use a laptop to do everything else.