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So interesting! Labor and capital(robotics) are substitutes. Thus in a cheap labor market (USA) anybody that would use a robot instead simply uses human landsc
by petermcneeley 8y ago
So interesting!
Labor and capital(robotics) are substitutes. Thus in a cheap labor market (USA) anybody that would use a robot instead simply uses human landscapers.
It is quite common in the USA to see humans doing what would be automated work in First world countries.
- nkurz 8y agoThat was my first thought, although I wasn't sure that would explain the vast numbers of Americans who mow their own lawns. Although maybe it does, if you squint a little harder? If labor prices were higher, maybe more people would choose to do more paid work instead of mowing their own lawn? I'm not sure though --- I think it might be that Americans tend to have a different relation to their lawns than Europeans. I was surprised to read that mowing your lawn on Sunday is illegal in Norway, with a silent robotic mower being a legal workaround: https://www.newsinenglish.no/2015/07/27/conflicts-arise-over-lawn-mowing-on-sundays/ https://www.newsinenglish.no/2015/07/27/conflicts-arise-over...
- JBReefer 8y agoThe USA is literally the definition of a First World country https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World I get what you're going for, HN loves to hate on the US.
- craftyguy 8y agoMaybe they forgot an 'other': > It is quite common in the USA to see humans doing what would be automated work in other First world countries. I get what you're going for, HN loves to not give any benefit of doubt.
- robertAngst 8y agoIt takes me 10 minutes to mow my lawn, once a week. Are these safe enough to justify use?