What about the computer that allows you to run Perl? And in my case, the dishwasher?

I'm infinitely more grateful to have a washer/dryer than I am my dishwasher. Sure, it's nice to have a dishwasher, but the alternative is 15 minutes in the sink which is a pain but not too bad overall.

But without my washer/dryer I have to load up a few baskets of clothes and drive to a *gasp* laundromat, sit there for an hour or so while the machines spin so that I can be sure nobody steals my clothes (maybe I'm flattering myself--my clothes aren't that stylish), figure out how to enjoy my book in peace without having to make conversation with Bubba and Gertrude, then load the baskets back up and drive all the way back home.

I didn't realize how lucky I was to have a washer/dryer at home until I left for college. It was hell. And then when I finally graduated and had my own place w/ one, my life became complete once again.

Amen to that! I have lived in many flats and houses where the washing of dishes either didn't happen as often as it should, or became a contentious issue. Having a dishwasher certainly solves the first problem, and will postpone arguments over weight-pulling issues in shared households.

As long as you understand why the second reason is the case, I don't think it makes you lazy or more irresponsible than the person without it. I've heard many arguments against them from people (predominantly British), such as:

• They use more water/electricity - untrue, a dishwasher is a closed system and circulates the water, and can therefore actually be more efficient.
• It doesn't save you time, because you still have to stack the dishes and put them away - the first of which happens after you use the dishes (and wouldn't you put them by a sink anyway?), and the second takes five minutes
• You still have to rinse the dishes - you mean you don't scrape off all the crud on plates before putting dishes in a sink full of water as well? disgusting.
• There is no room in my kitchen for a dishwasher - what about over there, where that cupboard is? You could fit one in there, I bet!
• It doesn't wash pots, pans, baking trays, ... - It will if they fit. And even if they don't, that still means you only have a handful of items to wash.
• Not everyone in the world could have a dishwasher; it is too demanding on world resources to produce; there are only enough electronics components in the world for the rich; it is an electronic construction and therefore not in tune with nature - ok can't argue against that. This argument hardly ever comes from the British ;-). Perl on the other hand is an abstract entity, which makes it very natural indeed and every person in the world could have Perl. In fact, in a holographic universe where the only limit to reality is the limits of our own imaginations, it should be possible to grow a Perl interpreter in our brains, with enough effort :-).

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- thanks japhy :)

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