Here’s a good piece on Amish hackers from several years ago.
http://kk.org/thetechnium/amish-hackers-a/
It really explains how they decide what technology to use or not use.
Fascinating article. Thanks for adding it to the thread.
One aspect they do not discuss here is the Amish problem of birth defects caused by centuries of in-breeding. They are addressing it (I understand) by a deliberate program of colonization.
IOW, a family from PA will send their sons or daughters to find a spouse in Indeiana, or WI to break up the pattern of finding spouses only in the community where they were raised. This also alleviates the problem of scarce farmland by spreading their colonies to other states.
I really enjoyed the discussions on technology.