Author Archives: Monica Cummings

The German Energy Efficiency Mindset

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The stereotype of Germans as highly efficient and energy saving individuals stems from a history of industrial effectiveness and related cultural values. With roots tracing back to medieval craftsmen, such as watchmakers in Mainz and armorers Solingen, western Rhineland established Germany’s connection to efficiency with its production of high-quality specialized goods (Burack, 2021.) Later in the 18th century, the east German state of Prussia exemplified German bureaucratic efficiency with its adoption of militaristic and administrative power (Burack, 2021.) As the Prussian state expanded control to unify the German Empire, bureaucracy and military ideals spread as Prussian leadership stressed values such as punctuality, diligence, frugality, and a sense of duty while implementing tax-based public schools (Burack, 2021.) During the 19th century, the Prussian state deliberately categorized these ideals into the “preußische Tugenden” or ‘Prussian Virtues’ in part to establish a national connection to civic duty, but also to create a citizenry that supported the desired “efficient state” (Burack, 2021.) These Prussian virtues, although containing aspects of propaganda, effectively created national pride in industrial efficiency and created a noticeable German work ethic. The stereotypes of German efficiency became prevalent at this time, as tourists in Rhineland often commented on the punctuality, wealth and expediency seen in train times, hotel maintenance and functionality of water systems (Burack, 2021.) The deliberate utilization of an efficiency stereotype bolstered connections to a German identity, while furthering economic and technological advancements. 

Today, the utilization of German cultural associations and the stereotype of German efficiency leads to impressive industrial developments in the environmental sector, along with increased adoption of environmental policies and household energy saving practices (Long et al, 2018, pg. 777.) Yet historically, utilizing German nationalism created extremely negative results, especially in terms of efficiency. Among other things, the Nazi party manipulated the Prussian values until civic duty and frugality became systemic murder and cheap labor (Burack, 2021.) Even so, during the mid 20th century Germany managed to pull off a “Wirtschaftswunder,” or “economic miracle,” especially in West Germany (Burack, 2021.) Today, the Prussian Virtues that initially shaped German identity and efficiency evolved into elevated levels of technological innovations and the household acceptance of household energy saving practices.  

But what if, Germans aren’t actually more frugal, energy saving and supernaturally work ethic endowed. What if, this stereotype actually stems from the fact that Germany has a history of creating policies and tax incentives that create a system where its citizens do not have to fight and worry about education, income, medical care, and some other generic human rights so that the people actually have time to pay attention to the planet and energy transitions and more than just making sure there basic needs are met. But anyway, let’s talk about stereotypes. 

According to Long et al, German households show a higher tendency to take energy saving action than Americans by a difference of 4.2 percentage points (2018, pg. 792.) Using statistical analysis of a survey dataset encompassing 1005 respondents in Germany and 1010 respondents in the USA aged 18 years or older (2018, pg. 783,) Long et al indicates educational awareness of energy conservation benefits demonstrated significance regarding the employment of household efficiency and energy technologies (2018, pg. 792.) The writers suggest that, like Germany, America needs to send more people to expensive schools, learn how to stop buying cheap mass produced foods just to survive, stop taking long warm showers to experience a fleeting moment of joy, and take time away from working non-stop to afford education, cheap mass produced foods, water and heating bills in order to dedicate more time employing energy saving technologies and focus on increasing household efficiency, like the Germans. Really, affordable healthcare and government funded infrastructure has nothing to do with Germany’s energy efficiency culture. 

Burack, Cristina. “German Efficiency: The Roots of a Stereotype .” Dw.Com, 28 Mar. 2021, www.dw.com/en/german-efficiency-the-roots-of-a-stereotype/a-56976234. 

Long, C., Mills, B. F., & Schleich, J. (2018). Characteristics or culture? Determinants of household energy use behavior in Germany and the USA. Energy Efficiency, 11(3), 777–798. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-017-9596-2 

Waldeinsamkeit

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Made by Monica Cummings, titled ‘Waldeinsamkeit’

This modern ink sketch depicts a Linden forest landscape with a beaten path cutting through it. Done completely in black ink with crosshatched shading to mimic 19th century engravings, the attention of the piece splits between two focal points; the path’s ending in the near center two-thirds of the way down the sketch, and the hub of an overhanging spiderweb in the right center. Lack of consistant shading represents the uneven lighting caused by leaf-cover in dense forests such as Germany’s Schwarzwald. The underbrush contains rocks, ferns, ivy, moss, and other foliage typical of Germany, with a stream cutting through the left corner. The backgroung contains nine Linden trees with resulting forest canopy. The image contains an upside down figure in the fetal position depicted through the negative spacing outlined by combination of the three closest Linden trees, and a large, knarled branch arching across the center.

Waldeinsamkeit, often translated as ‘forest solitude,’ refers to the German tradition of seeking out alone time in the woods for a sense of recovery and meditation. The word inself combines melancholy or negative feelings with the inclusion of lonliness, as well as enlightened, sublime feelings that come from fully experiencing the woods. Furthermore, forest landscapes relate to the development German nationality during Romantic Era. Fairy tales and short stories such as the collected works of the Brother’s Grimm, artworks by Caspar David Friedrich and poetic works put to song such “die Schoene Muellerin” by Schuman utilize the woods to express German identities.

A critical part of the German romantic forest stems from the inherent juxtoposition of danger and sublimity. Depitctions of forest landscapes in Romantic artworks contain both aesthetic beauty, holiness, or some type of positive power, as well as hexes, villains, and life-threatening terrains. Yet it’s into these landscapes that German’s seek renewal and peace of mind through Waldeinsamkeit. With it’s dark coloring and relatively unclear focal point, the image above contains the elements of inviting beauty and forboding unease seen in the Romantic Forest. This is difficult to express unless done visually. The upside down fetal figure represents the potential for renewal or ‘rebirth’ one gets through forest solitude, but also the potential for identity loss and complete seclusion from society one can feel when alone in the woods. In combination of Märchen symbols (such as Linden trees and forest paths,) contrasting emotions and the potential for rebirth, this image hopefully captures the complexities of Waldeinsamkeit and the Romantic Forest.