Which would you choose, the washing machine or the vote?

[devogue]

My old flatmate, as I've mentioned here before, was fascinated by the question: "Which would you choose, the washing machine or the vote?" This was despite the fact that he benefited from both. But he wanted to analyse which he was keener on. They're difficult concepts to compare: it's like trying to choose your favourite out of feeling optimistic and The Simpsons.

To clarify, I don't mean a washing machine. It's not just swapping your vote for a free washing machine – not many of us would do that. And neither is it the invention of the washing machine. You're not being asked merely to live washing machineless in a world where such things don't exist so you couldn't miss them. No, you stand to permanently lose access to a labour-saving technology, which you will still observe everywhere, in exchange for a continued ability to minutely influence the democratic process. To have to scrub clothes on a daily basis until your hands go raw in order to put a cross in a Lib Dem box every four years and then get to watch them do that [reference to Lib Dem's failing to live up to promises in the coalition]. I, of course, would keep the vote and righteously hand wash my pants till kingdom come. But that's because this is a hypothetical scenario and I make it a point of principle always to do the moral thing in hypothetical scenarios.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... d-mitchell

Washing machine, obviously.

[hadespussercats]

Hm. Probably the washing machine.

There are other ways than voting to effect social change. But If I'm washing every goddamn thing my family owns by hand I wouldn't have time for any of them.

[JimC]

Easy.

I let Bron have the washing machine, and I have the vote. Simples...

[Audley Strange]

It's not a fair comparison. Now if you said "A washing machine that takes up 25% more electricity than advertised and that the cost goes towards blowing up children, keeping parasites in and out of jobs and your washing comes out looking shite because the machine doesn't fucking work or the vote." then you might be levelling up the playing field.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Joining the military is equivalent to giving up the washing machine.

[Cormac]

I'd just stop washing.

I believe an old avatar of mine demonstrates that I'm still a handsome devil, even when filthy with hair matted with excrement*






*of uncertain provenance.

[Pensioner]

I'd just stop washing.

I believe an old avatar of mine demonstrates that I'm still a handsome devil, even when filthy with hair matted with excrement*






*of uncertain provenance.

Yep you look like the average Irish person.

[Bella Fortuna]

Pen, you were around for the advent of both of these things - what do you think?

[Ian]

I'd give up the washing machine. I've got a backup, although it wouldn't work quite as well since it's married to me.

[Kristie]

I'd give up the washing machine. I've got a backup, although it wouldn't work quite as well since it's married to me.

Let's just hope she gives up her vote, or she'll be giving you up for someone with a washing machine.

[Bella Fortuna]

Methinks that if Ian's washing machine saw that post he'd be giving up something besides washing and voting...

[Kristie]

Methinks that if Ian's washing machine saw that post he'd be giving up something besides washing and voting...

From the sounds of some of his posts, that's already gone....

[Bella Fortuna]

Methinks that if Ian's washing machine saw that post he'd be giving up something besides washing and voting...

From the sounds of some of his posts, that's already gone....

Think of all the laundry that could be done in that time - ironing even!

[Svartalf]

Unless my vote had real power (like, being part of a college of at most 12 people), I'd choose the washing machine and rifle, and easily avaible ammo... not the machine alone.

[Ian]

Methinks that if Ian's washing machine saw that post he'd be giving up something besides washing and voting...

From the sounds of some of his posts, that's already gone....

I wouldn't say gone, although it's been about a month I think...