Vidéki villanyhasználat
Use of Electricity on the Countryside

The Case of an Electricity Bill Collector

Summary/Abstract: This article was born from a series of discussions with Domokos Sztrátya, who worked for 24 years (1968-1993) as an electricity bill collector on Upper Nyárádmente. These discussions cast light on the spread and social reception of electricity in a rural area in Transylvania. We see how social connections and the value systems behind them shape rural communities’ opinions and practices related to the use of electricity. Viewed from above, the bill collector is but an element of a modern technical-administrative mechanism – but viewed from within the local society, he is a successful pedagogue who shapes local opinions and guides the reception of a new technology. He demonstrates, causes concerns, or even threatens people at some points, but in fact radiates helpfulness and goodwill. That is – in the optimal case – he is the successful (respected and morally accepted) moderator of social adaptation to a new type of infrastructure that causes significant changes in the rural environment.

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