My latest is about an economic mystery that explains one of the biggest Qs about modern work:
In 1900, the avg home had no modern tech.
By 1960, it had electricity, AC, plumbing, fridges.
And all this tech saved the typical housewife ... 0 hours. Why?
theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…
In 1900, the avg home had no modern tech.
By 1960, it had electricity, AC, plumbing, fridges.
And all this tech saved the typical housewife ... 0 hours. Why?
theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…
Basically, the 20th century story of the transformation of the housework economy tells us just about everything we need to know about why more and more technology doesn't lead to more leisure time for Americans—and why sometimes it just creates more work.
1. Better technology—in the kitchen, as in the factory or office—often means higher expectations.
And higher expectations mean ... more work.
And higher expectations mean ... more work.
2. The most important shift in housework in the last 40 years has been the extraordinary rise in childcare time, esp. among college-educated parents anxious about getting their kids into college.
A lot of modern work is class and status maintenance—for our kids, and for us.
A lot of modern work is class and status maintenance—for our kids, and for us.
3. Here's the biggie.
In the home, the factory, or the office, tech only frees ppl from work if the boss allows it.
Better mops didn't save housewives time when their lives were conscripted to housework; and better tech won't save you time if the firm mandates a 50-hour week.
In the home, the factory, or the office, tech only frees ppl from work if the boss allows it.
Better mops didn't save housewives time when their lives were conscripted to housework; and better tech won't save you time if the firm mandates a 50-hour week.
