[mfuzzey]

As you say yourself people make the CHOICE to ...

Before washing machines they didn't really have any choice but to wash their own clothes (except for a few very rich that had servants to do it).

The same is true of many things - a huge proportion of the population used to be involved in subsistence activities just to grow food, and raise animals for food. Of course we still have to eat but a far smaller proportion of the population is now required to do those things enabling society to persue other things (science, technology, arts, ...)

[peterbell_nyc]

Yup - I was intentional with my language for a reason. But when I see most everyone I know making those similar choices I have to wonder what's an appropriate way to frame and engage with technology in a way that makes our lives better match our goals and whether we're all going to have to get much better at that to avoid becoming "drowned in plenty" :)