I disconnected from the electric grid for 8 months—in Manhattan | Ars Technica

On May 22, 2022, I began an experiment. I unplugged everything in my apartment, with the goal of drawing zero power from the electric grid for one month. I had no idea how I would make it past a few days.

Nevertheless, I opened the main circuit, disconnecting my apartment from the grid and committing myself to solving what problems arose as they came. As I type these words in January, I’m in my eighth month. My Con-Ed bills continue to show zero kilowatt-hours.

A really interesting read and it has extra resonance for me since reading The Life We’re Looking For. What if we had fewer constantly on devices, and more instruments we turn on only when we need them? It would certainly be needed for such a lifestyle.

I can still remember my amazing productivity when I first came to Poland and had no regular Internet. Every minute at the library was precious and I’d do more in those 30 minutes than most evenings now.