Quick-fix as Innovation? Thoughts from Brazil (original) (raw)

The concept of "gambiarra" in Brazil serves as a form of technological improvisation that transcends poverty and necessity, embodying resourcefulness influenced by various social factors. This ethnographic account, centered on the insights of construction worker Senhor Silva, explores distinctions between gambiarra, palliatives, and other forms of ingenuity found in the favelas. The narrative illustrates how improvisation is not only a response to material scarcity but also reflects cultural values, humor, and the complexities of social relationships, ultimately questioning the ethics and sustainability of such practices.