> answer may be that the dishwasher industry needs to work harder to more efficiently use that little bit of water and actually get stuff clean The article poi

> answer may be that the dishwasher industry needs to work harder to more efficiently use that little bit of water and actually get stuff clean The article points out that dishwasher sales have risen. You could even go so far as to say that this is a good thing. Assuming it's possible to solve the technical challenges, then the manufacturer who does it gains a competitive advantage. And a big one if, as the article suggests, the primary reason people are replacing dishwashers is dissatisfaction with how well they clean. People who believe in the beneficial effects of competition in the free market should appreciate that. If consumers are willing to fork over the money, then it is worthwhile to invest in the technology R&D, so the capital becomes available. So while this increase in consumer spending is annoying for consumers in the short term, in the long term it is part of the solution.