@beep@follow.ethanmarcotte.com The office work equivalent of the Cowan paradox: When “labor saving” devices like vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, etc. were introduced, the amount of time spent on domestic work did not significantly decrease over the years. Sociologist Ruth Schwartz Cowan highlighted this phenomenon, suggesting that increased expectations and social pressures kept domestic workloads high. “Spring cleaning” was a once a year activity that involved the entire household. Vacuums meant vacuuming multiple times a week. Many middle class households would send clothing to commercial laundries, the washing machine meant doing the laundry at home.