Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

What things do you do at home that you would count as productivity? I'd say dishwasher and microwave would be much more common today than in the 80s. Clothes washing machine probably not more common but today's would be brighter, beepier, more economical on power and water and with better chemical detergents. Power Showers compared to waiting for an immersion heater to heat a hot water tank, maybe, high power transistors seem to be more of a thing than in the past. Portable Li-Ion power tools could improve DIY productivity for people who do that kind of thing. Battery portable vacuum cleaners and Roombas?

Is that about it? You can't "productivity" sleeping or oven baking or raising children or relaxing or socialising or a lot of household living experiences. You can productivity your paper work, insurance, banking, but that's screen based. Once you've got clothes from a hand wash to a machine there isn't much pressure for it to be very fast compared to kinda slow, since you aren't hanging around waiting.




All fair considerations, but I think the main point is a matter of degree between the two time periods. Surely there were also less visible efficiencies that took place during the first period too, i.e. the electric fridge vs. an ice box, but that's not the point of the comparison, I think.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: