[Avodah] modern technology

[Eli Turkel]

I was listening yesterday to a radio program and the guest listed
numerous practical problems from modern technology.
In many modern refrigerators the motor and other parts are controlled
by a computer. Thus, they turn on the motor after the door as been
opened a few times. Thus, listening to whether the motor is on or off
is irrelevant. If one opens the door the x-th time it automatically
turns on the motor. Similarly fans on turned on by various actions
that one doesnt always realize.  Thus, in some cases opening a door
can turn off the fan to slow down cold air from exiting. The door
opening is detected in more automatic ways than the old switch which
could be covered (also to prevent the light from going on)

He claimed that in newer plumbing systems the pump giving enough
pressure can go on automatically every time a faucet is opening in an
apartment building. He knew of only one new apartment building in Bnei
Brak that had altered the system for shabbat.

Of course there are the older problems, mainly in hotels, that lights
and even toilets can be activated by motion sensors. Over the coming
years more hotels will install such automatic devices to lower their
electric bills. This can extend to the water supply in many cities.

He mentioned that in some cases one can rely bideved on psik reisha
de-lo niche leh but that in many cases like the faucet one wants the
resulting high water pressure and similarly in many other cases.

-- 
Eli Turkel