“Progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things”
Robert A. Heinlein
I hate washing dishes. I could always not do the dishes (now that would be lazy), but a) I’m married and b) I need clean dishes. I don’t really have an option, but because I have to do it, I want to get it done as fast as possible. And that means I look at every step of the process and look for inefficiencies and find ways to make the job easier.
I’m innovating.
So many of the major innovations throughout history - the wheel, the printing press, the assembly line - are all about efficiency and productivity. And none of these innovations are created by people saying “I like doing the same repetitive task over and over”. I want to do other things with my time, and I will find (almost) any means possible to cut the time it takes to do unpleasant work (and still do a good job).
There are certain people I watch doing a job and I think “if you organized it like this, did it in this order, and used this tool, you’d cut your time in half”. But since many people are resistant to trying new ways, old processes remain. Which is why many innovators seems lazy in their minds.
I love this definition of “lazy” from the American Heritage Dictionary: “Resistant to work or exertion; disposed to idleness”. All I can say is “hell, yes”, and find a fast, easy and efficient way to get through the work so I can dispose myself to idleness. And I create better processes as a result.
Save This Page
February 6th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
So … what are the dish washing innovations?
(I’m intrigued too that there is a connection between marriage and doing the dishes. Were you using disposable plates before you were married?! Perhaps we should strike china from the gift registry!)
February 6th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Staying married and doing the dishes - that’s the connection… :)
Organization and grouping tasks is the key. I watch people take a stack of dishes, and a) scrape the food off, wash the dish, rinse the dish and then dry the dish; repeat the process. Why do they do it? They’ve always done it that way.
I’ve found grouping tasks (scraping all dishes, washing all dishes, etc.) and organization (small stuff first for the bottom of the drying rack; big stuff gets dried and put away last) helps speed things up considerably.
Disposable? Bite your tongue, young man! No, I just didn’t have that many dishes. Plus, you pioneer new ways of cooking so that you didn’t have so many dishes to do at the end!
LazinessInnovation rules!February 6th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
You sound like a ‘15 Minute Ethnographer’! My students should take note of your skills of fine observation and analysis. I’d have to consider the gender ramifications of your statements connecting marriage and dishwashing, however.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Being
lazyinnovative is all about analysis and observation. Innovation doesn’t come overnight - it comes after getting fed up with doing the same task the same way day after day. You still need to figure out where to improve, try a few ways, etc.I tried watching my wife clean a bathroom and make suggestions as to how to improve the process. Staying married also means knowing when to keep your big yap shut :D
February 6th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Wow. So much to learn, Dave. You are a wonder. No laziness in you, I can see!
(Isn’t the innovation demonstrated by the fact that you managed to score doing dishes over cleaning the bathroom?)
February 6th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Don’t say that - the National Association for the Chronically Lazy will reject my application. Come grasshopper - I will show you the ways of the work-challenged.
I wonder about the bathroom deal - I could get away with doing that every couple of weeks, but the dishes have to be done every day… nah, I’d still rather do the dishes. That, and making the beds after wash day - whew, I have to sit down and watch a few hours of TV.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:43 am
Not sure how to comment on this discussion! I am very fortunate to have a husband who helps out with the house chores. I know there are many ways to wash dishes,(and we all think our way is best) but I have learned not to criticize the process as the job still gets done well. Maybe we should time ourselves and see who’s method of cleaning is faster? I have to admit, I do enjoy cleaning, and dont mind doing bathrooms, laundry, etc. etc. I enjoy other things more though, and have put cleaning lower on my list of priorities. I think becoming a parent is the best way to learn how to clean in an efficient and timely matter, as your time is no longer your own…