Is our belief in labor-saving machines dysfunctional?

I believe that as long as the physical ideal includes a certain level of musculature (or lack of body fat), there will be motivation to continue to exercise and try to develop one’s body.

But I would agree with the judgment implicit in your question that driving a mile to the gym and running on a treadmill for 2 hours is ludicrous.

If we want to get into sci-fi forecasting, though, I don’t think that the future you described would be at all sustainable. I believe that we will not be able to produce levels of energy sufficient to sustain our lazy lifestyles, and will be forced to bike places, generate our own power, and maybe even grow our own food.

I agree on the car and the elevator. Though both are a matter of personal choice. You don’t HAVE to use your car to go 2 blocks. They still make bicycles, as well as feet. You don’t have to take the elevator. They still build stairs. As a matter of fact, when I worked in an office tower I would climb the 13 storeys instead of taking the elevator, just for exercise. (And believe me! In my shape, that was not easy!)

I don’t agree on the dustbuster thing. I’m absolutely dying to be able to justify a Roomba. (Though you must remember that I have a Labradoodle and they shed enough in a day to knit a warm sweater).

We have lost the idea that the small physical labors of life can add richness to our life. We have also lost the fact that the small physical labors of life have a purpose in keeping us fit and sane.

@tonedef: Why ludicrous? I strongly prefer running on a treadmill as it is easier on the knees. Before I lived in paradise, I also preferred it to running on icy sidewalks, through sleet and snow, through sketchy neighborhoods, etc.

To answer the original question, I think there will always be some kinds of work we derive enough satisfaction from to do ourselves, and this will probably change from person to person. Washing dishes and clothes probably aren’t high on the “satisfaction” spreadsheet, hence the prevalence of machines to assist.

I have a lot of friends who would feel their life had lost all purpose if they used a machine to cook; no matter how easy or splendid the cooking machine was, they would never use it.

For the purposes of this question, what’s the difference between a broom/dust pan tool and a dustbuster? What’s the difference between a shower and a cleaning machine?

@nikipedia: the amount of human effort and skill required to complete the task.

Even though it was a cartoon story, I think WALL-E is a good portrait of human nature and our future (on of our futures at least).

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Just try to take away our washing machines and dishwashers…Grrr. I want a Roomba, too. As for cars and elevators, for me it’s all about pain (Fibromyalgia sometimes makes taking the stairs even one flight up or walking two blocks a freakin’ nightmare).

I wouldn’t want the future we used to dream of, with automated everythings doing all the work. But I sure wouldn’t want to give up the automated things I already have :)