The Hard Work
We recently purchased a robot vacuum cleaner. It’s amazing. I understand there’s a lot of math involved in it’s mapping and processing. Cassie, the doggoe, gives it a wide berth. We’ve also had to make our own adaptations (keep cords off the floors). As much as Cassie sheds, this felt like a helpful purchase.
I do have my doubts about all these technologies, though. They may reduce our labors in some ways, but they increase it in others. As well, they add other expenses.
Finally, I worry they take us away from the essentially human work and pleasures. This morning I read about this Jigsaw puzzle solver. It can reduce the time it takes a human to solve a jigsaw puzzle by as much as 200%.
Barb loves her jigsaw puzzles. We have at least one completed Harry Potter puzzle hanging on a wall here in the house (somewhere…). She loves her Harry Potter and Lego puzzles. The more pieces, the better!
I like watching her progress and process. She paces herself. She is careful to avoid letting the pieces fall. When she hits a hard place, she stops and returns later. And, when it’s done, she’s exuberant.
In my studies on depression, the process of healing from depression involves daily and long-term activities providing pleasure and accomplishment. In fact, this approach to depression reduction is called behavior activation. It involves action, not frittering our time away in thought. Do things that give pleasure and accomplishment.
Returning to Hard Work, technology promises to make our life easier. Is that always a good goal?
A better question is this: does this technology really support my well-being?
We need to work with our hands, wash dishes, plant things, do math, and to show our work. We need to complete the puzzle without a computer. The human spirit craves The Hard Work of doing things.