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Hans Rosling called the washing machine the greatest invention of the industrial revolution: > Rosling, however, believes washing machines foster education and

• onion2k 9y ago
  Undoubtedly the washing machine is an amazing invention. They save you time and energy, they do a better job, and they're more water efficient. My point was that the economic argument, and only that argument, is nonsense. Washing machines don't need a spurious argument like "Think of the money you could make while it's washing your trousers!" to be considered a sound purchase.
  • mgkimsal 9y ago
    i tend to agree, but there's a lot of secondary effects that may lead different people to be saving money in different areas, just not 'making' money directly. you can spend more time cooking, which may save on meals out. you can spend more time helping kids with homework, vs spending on a tutor, etc. the general idea is that you can do something else more productive (instead of, or in parallel) with your time has merit, but most people would be doing something else that doesn't make extra cash directly (but again, may be saving them an expense somewhere else in their life)
  • dangoor 9y ago
    Improvements to education and democracy seem like an economic argument, but I recognize that such an argument really only works for the developing world. I see where you're coming from, though, and realize that's not what you meant. For places where kids can go to school and a parent is not spending tons of time washing clothes instead of spending it with the children, the argument runs differently.