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Would you rather live without a washer/dryer or without any TV/Computer?

 
Matt McSpadden
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Would you rather live without a washer/dryer or without any TV/Computer?

"The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is." C.S. Lewis
"When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind." C.S. Lewis

 
Matt McSpadden
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I know washers and dryers use way more energy, and that clotheslines are not hard... but I would honestly rather read a book for entertainment than have to manually wash clothes. So I'm going with out the TV/Computer.

"The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is." C.S. Lewis
"When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind." C.S. Lewis

 
Pearl Sutton
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I don't know how to answer this one, I haven't had a TV since the early 80's, and never had a dryer.  So I'll take washer and computer :D
Have lived without both of those fine too though, so really not sure how to answer  :D

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Jay Angler
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Pearl Sutton wrote:I don't know how to answer this one, I haven't had a TV since the early 80's, and never had a dryer.  So I'll take washer and computer :D
Have lived without both of those fine too though, so really not sure how to answer  :D

What Pearl says! No TV and we have a dryer, but we only use it maybe once a year when I need to shrink something. I have enough friends that I could always use their machines to shrink stuff for me.

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Ned Harr
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It's a trick question! Most washers built within the last 20-30 years have a computer in them. The one in mine senses the weight of the load and adjusts water levels accordingly. Others use that sensor to dole out appropriate amounts of detergent from a large reservoir that only needs to be filled once in a while.

But pedantry aside, it's still a tricky question for me...I wouldn't want to have to do my laundry by hand, much less the laundry for my whole household...on the other hand, a personal computer is pretty essential to how I make my living, including obtaining work, as well as many of my most fulfilling leisure activities like writing, and recording the music I create.

I guess it would be less inconvenient to have to go to the library to use a computer for personal use, I can write by hand or buy an old typewriter if it comes down to it, I can find friends or other alternative means of audio production, and maybe I could find a job I like in a reasonably local office...all of that seems preferable to dependence on elbow grease/laundromat for clean clothes.
 
Tereza Okava
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curiously, in places where i've seen these technologies arrive new, most people go for TV first, then washer (then computer. dryer isn't even on the map).

i've also never had a dryer, and could easily live without the TV.
computer, i use to make money, so i'd need that first, i can wash my clothes by hand but prefer not to, so that's a pretty easy choice!
 
Judith Browning
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A timely question...
At the moment we are doing small loads of laundry by hand at the kitchen sink with water saved in an indoor barrel from having to leave the faucet streaming overnight during our deep freeze...no dryer (ever) other than the sun and heat in the living room.

No tv...and just a phone for online stuff and an off line old pc for editing photos and reading some pdf things.

So of all those things I guess, at this moment in time, I would choose this smart phone...we share it and both enjoy the connections it provides...and believe me when I say it sort of horrifies me that I chose a piece of non renewable and non compostable plastic crap


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Christopher Weeks
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I'd rather have a PC than any of that other stuff. Like most folks, I like having a washer, but it wouldn't be the end of the world to get rid of it.
 
Nancy Reading
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Bah! If I have to lose my washing machine so be it. I haven't watched the TV in years, but I don't want to lose Permies! My husband uses the drier more often than me (he fixed it just this week) I usually use the airer in the kitchen.

Due to my location, finding and ordering things online makes my life a whole lot easier. We really need it for our grocery store too.

I think I could make a water powered washing machine in the burn - would that be allowed?
Some other ideas:
two crate washer
pedal power!
more ideas here

How Permies works: https://permies.com/wiki/34193/permies-works-links-threads
My projects on Skye: The tree field, Growing and landracing, perennial polycultures, "Don't dream it - be it! "

 
Mk Neal
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If it were just me, well, I’d lose the washer/dryer in an instant. I’ve done without before, wash clothes in the shower and drape them on the radiator.

But if I told my family no more washer/dryer, they’d probably stop washing clothes altogether, and I’m sure not picking up their slack.

Weeds are just plants with enough surplus will to live to withstand normal levels of gardening!--Alexandra Petri

 
Ara Murray
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For me, it would be to lose the washer. I've never had a dryer and, would you believe it have survived without even when using cloth nappies (diapers) on my children. My aunt-in-law never had a washer, hand-washing her sheets and towels. Although I've hand-washed clothes before, the sheets and towels have always been done in the machine. I think those are the things I might struggle with.
 
Bethany Brown
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Well, if I had to pick two I’d have a computer and a washing machine. But washing machine is number 1. If I had to wash everything by hand, I wouldn’t have time to chat on Permies anyway. And whenever my family gets sick and we have that kind of laundry, I’m sooooo thankful for indoor plumbing and washing machines.
 
C. Letellier
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Without washer/drier.  Would really miss fluffy towels ans self ironing shirts though.  Computer for learning and research is critical.

Country oriented nerd with primary interests in alternate energy in particular solar. Dabble in gardening, trees, cob, soil building and a host of others.

 
Maieshe Ljin
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I’d like to say go without the TV/computer. Whenever I don’t have screens around I feel much better. But for some bizarre reason here I am…

But I learn enough through online resources to make it really useful. So I’ll go without washer/dryer.

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. -Proverbs 4:7

 
Sara Hartwin
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This questions looks easy, then shape-shifts. Wow!
I really, really want to decrease digital dependency.
I would like to only hang-dry clothes.
I could wash clothes without a washer (preferred method would be 5-gallon lidded bucket w/(clean!) toilet plunger through the top).
I think I'd want to keep the laptop but get rid of the smartphone. I'd be okay with going to the library once a week, perhaps - but web learning and desktop word processing I don't think I could give up.
Whew.
Final answer: If we're talking 100% "without", I'd rather live without a washer/dryer.

Aspirations: She seeks wool and flax, considers a field and buys it, girds herself with strength, opens her mouth with wisdom, and does him good all the days of her life. (pieces of Proverbs 31, NKJV)

 
S Smithsson
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Matt McSpadden wrote:Would you rather live without a washer/dryer or without any TV/Computer?



washer dryer... how would I read permies.,com without a computer!!! The tv i can live without.
Sandy

Zone 6b, dry, high desert in New Mexico 7500' elevation

have you checked your new USDA Hardiness zone? Check here: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/

 
Susan Boyce
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I don't really use the dryer, and I don't watch TV but have a computer. I'd like to say I don't need either but I do need the internet, at least for awhile, so I guess I'd say no washer or dryer.
 
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