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[Poll]
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Are these Necessities?
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| Clothes Dryer |
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| Air Conditioner |
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| T.V. |
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| Microwave |
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| Dishwasher |
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| iPod |
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| High Speed Internet |
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| Home Computer |
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| Cell Phone |
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| Car |
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Total Votes : 373
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(last vote on : 8/9/2009 11:08:05 PM)
(Poll will run till: -- )
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Are these Necessities? - 4/28/2009 11:34:00 PM
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PinkCarnations
Posts: 10810
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quote:
ORIGINAL: doinkdom
Praise the Lord chocolate/caramel wasn't on that list! 
LOL!!
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/28/2009 11:42:17 PM
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bzirk
Posts: 1429
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Where the deer and antelope play
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Mrs.Wifey
quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
quote:
ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God
Even in hot places, people lived for thousands of years and still do in many parts of the world without air conditioning. Do you think that maybe it's just something we've gotten so used to that our bodies can't physically handle heat anymore?
You get used to it when you turn off the A/C. Your body will acclimate as soon as you don't have it.
Yup, I agree. I left the East Coast and it's humidity 3 years ago, now I feel like I'm going to sweat to death when I visit and it's usually only about 85 degrees. However, we went almost 6 weeks in Colorado last summer without AC in July and the first part of August and were just fine with the doors and windows open/fans on. It probably ranged from 90-105 degrees during that time.
I definitely don't consider AC a necessity.
The only ones I chose were internet and a home computer, but really only because DH needs them for school classes. I wouldn't consider them a need otherwise, and really the things that we "need" them for can be done the old fashioned way.
The dry heat in Colorado definitely makes it possible to go without AC. I don't think it's a big deal to be without it here. Now where I grew up is a whole 'nother story. But even there I would say AC is not a necessity. Not exactly a luxury but not a necessity either.
I wonder if a washing machine had been on that list if so many people would have been so quick to dismiss everything as a luxury.
Frankly, lots of things we think of as necessities are really conveniences (also known sometimes as luxuries), e.g., toilet paper on a roll or hand soap or even sanitary napkins -- not to be crude, but people did survive for thousands of years without those.
_____________________________
bZirk
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/29/2009 12:01:22 AM
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leah777
Posts: 2666
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Show-Me State
Status: online
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I didnt' take time to read the posts -- sorry, but it is late.
I marked none.
The poll was a bit ambiguous in that you only had a two-part question -- either they had to be considered a necessity or a luxury. Most of them are neither, IMO. Luxury sorta suggests extravagant, I think. Necessity suggests NEED. Obviously, we don't really NEED any of these to sustain life, so need for what? Would I want to do without them?? No!
Necessities for what . . . To sustain life? To be happy? To be comfortable?
_____________________________
Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a choice. (Mary Southerland) Leah's Stories
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/29/2009 9:00:34 AM
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Consecrated2God
Posts: 4926
Joined: 4/4/2005
From: Formerly Jesus Land
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quote:
I wonder if a washing machine had been on that list if so many people would have been so quick to dismiss everything as a luxury.
Lol! I wondered that, too. Of course, people have lived without both of them for thousands of years and we could all go scrub clothes down at the lake if we had to, but scrubbing clothes by hand is a lot more work than hanging clothes on a clothesline.
When we become dependent on something, it moves up the ladder in our minds from luxury to necessity, especially if we are not equipped to do without. If a dryer is not a necessity, then a clothesline and clothespins become necessities instead. A car might not technically be a necessity, but transportation is, and I don't have horses or any other way of getting to the store or a place of employment from here anyway.
_____________________________
"A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not faith."--Richard Wurmbrand
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/29/2009 9:44:52 AM
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Tinkerbell_
Posts: 8034
Joined: 1/25/2008
From: NeverNeverLand
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I know that most people wouldn't have a clue of what to do if we did lose all technology. I couldn't get to work, food would go bad...stuff like that.
I think we could adapt but it would take time; years even for people to learn to grow their own food, butcher their own animals, wash clothes by beating them on rocks and even finding water.
Not to mention losing all of the medicine that we take for granted. No...things on that list aren't necessary for survival, but in the 21st century they're very essential.
_____________________________
When I've shown you that I just don't care
When I'm throwing punches in the air
When I'm broken down and I can't stand
Will you be strong enough to be my man?
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/29/2009 10:00:52 AM
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doinkdom
Posts: 5585
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bzirk
Frankly, lots of things we think of as necessities are really conveniences (also known sometimes as luxuries), e.g., toilet paper on a roll or hand soap or even sanitary napkins -- not to be crude, but people did survive for thousands of years without those.
NO!!!!!!!!!!
and also...ew
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Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/29/2009 11:29:18 AM
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Ps103
Posts: 12140
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: Here, now
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Going from LLisa's post about the book she was reading:
Everything on the list is dependent on electricity, either directly or indirectly.
Is electricity a necessity? I mean for *life*, not convenience or comfort.
_____________________________
Fasten your seatbelts...it's going to be a bumpy night.
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/29/2009 11:39:13 AM
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Tinkerbell_
Posts: 8034
Joined: 1/25/2008
From: NeverNeverLand
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Ps103
Going from LLisa's post about the book she was reading:
Everything on the list is dependent on electricity, either directly or indirectly.
Is electricity a necessity? I mean for *life*, not convenience or comfort.
In this day and age...yes. We could whittle it away as we learn new ways of taking care of ourselves but until then...it's vital.
_____________________________
When I've shown you that I just don't care
When I'm throwing punches in the air
When I'm broken down and I can't stand
Will you be strong enough to be my man?
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/29/2009 1:46:41 PM
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DeeAnnBailey
Posts: 1832
Joined: 3/23/2006
From: SC
Status: offline
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Clothes dryer: no but close
A/C: yes- I have asthma and when I get too hot it's not good but we are setting a little higher this year.
TV: not a necessity -can be nice to have but if something happens to mine, I may not replace- too much time wasted there
Microwave: no a necessity
Dishwasher: don't have one now
iPod: definately not a necessity.
High Speed Internet: no, unless I get rid of the TV then I may have to rethink this! LOL
Home Computer: yes, it allows me more flexible hours and to work from home in cases of emergency
Car: yes- no public transportation between my home and job and it's 16 miles each way.
Cell Phone: don't have a home phone and travel a good bit so yes.
_____________________________
D. Ann Bailey
My Blog
http://deesdelightsdelusions.blogspot.com/
<<<<<<The love of my life - precious Erin!
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/29/2009 8:52:59 PM
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Ps103
Posts: 12140
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: Here, now
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Tinkerbell_
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ps103
Going from LLisa's post about the book she was reading:
Everything on the list is dependent on electricity, either directly or indirectly.
Is electricity a necessity? I mean for *life*, not convenience or comfort.
In this day and age...yes. We could whittle it away as we learn new ways of taking care of ourselves but until then...it's vital.
You do realize that a significant number of people in this world--in this day and age--have limited if any access to electricity, don't you?
I do not mean "does it make our lives easier/better/more comfortable?"--I mean "do we need it to live?"
The answer is no.
So all the other things on the list are not necessities, either--if e define "necessity" as "necessary for life."
(Mind you, I love me some electricity and am not looking to get rid of it. But I wouldn't *die* without it.)
_____________________________
Fasten your seatbelts...it's going to be a bumpy night.
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/29/2009 9:58:51 PM
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SaraChristine
Posts: 98
Joined: 2/20/2008
Status: offline
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I had an English professor who built his own house out of logs he cut down himself. They have their gutters rigged up so they use rain water as their house water (it gets filtered somehow) and their house and water is all heated by a wood burner. He lives on a farm and cuts his own wood.
They only recently got electricity because his wife had their first child.
=] =] =] I wish I had the guts to live like that!
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/29/2009 10:03:41 PM
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Consecrated2God
Posts: 4926
Joined: 4/4/2005
From: Formerly Jesus Land
Status: offline
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Some people would die without electricity, especially people in the hospital. Most people would probably do okay, but I'm sure some people would die. In the winter it would especially be bad for those who had electric heat and no alternative form of heating.
_____________________________
"A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not faith."--Richard Wurmbrand
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/29/2009 10:13:40 PM
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PinkCarnations
Posts: 10810
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God
Some people would die without electricity, especially people in the hospital. Most people would probably do okay, but I'm sure some people would die. In the winter it would especially be bad for those who had electric heat and no alternative form of heating.
I was just going to post that. GMTA! 
_____________________________
Thank you Veterans.
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/29/2009 10:53:22 PM
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Mrs.Wifey
Posts: 3404
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The Gorgeous plains of Colorado
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bzirk
quote:
ORIGINAL: Mrs.Wifey
quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
quote:
ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God
Even in hot places, people lived for thousands of years and still do in many parts of the world without air conditioning. Do you think that maybe it's just something we've gotten so used to that our bodies can't physically handle heat anymore?
You get used to it when you turn off the A/C. Your body will acclimate as soon as you don't have it.
Yup, I agree. I left the East Coast and it's humidity 3 years ago, now I feel like I'm going to sweat to death when I visit and it's usually only about 85 degrees. However, we went almost 6 weeks in Colorado last summer without AC in July and the first part of August and were just fine with the doors and windows open/fans on. It probably ranged from 90-105 degrees during that time.
I definitely don't consider AC a necessity.
The only ones I chose were internet and a home computer, but really only because DH needs them for school classes. I wouldn't consider them a need otherwise, and really the things that we "need" them for can be done the old fashioned way.
The dry heat in Colorado definitely makes it possible to go without AC. I don't think it's a big deal to be without it here. Now where I grew up is a whole 'nother story. But even there I would say AC is not a necessity. Not exactly a luxury but not a necessity either.
I wonder if a washing machine had been on that list if so many people would have been so quick to dismiss everything as a luxury.
Frankly, lots of things we think of as necessities are really conveniences (also known sometimes as luxuries), e.g., toilet paper on a roll or hand soap or even sanitary napkins -- not to be crude, but people did survive for thousands of years without those.
True. I grew up on a peninsula in Maryland, for part of my childhood we didn't have air conditioning. It was definitely more miserable there at 85 or 90 degrees there then it is here at 110. But... people there survive just fine without AC, it's a convenience not a necessity.
_____________________________
Ryanne- trying hard to be my husband's girlfriend and my daughter's mother.
I'll keep my guns, freedom, and money- you can keep "the change."
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/30/2009 8:10:50 AM
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Consecrated2God
Posts: 4926
Joined: 4/4/2005
From: Formerly Jesus Land
Status: offline
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quote:
The fact that some people may die without it, does not make it a necessity for life in general.
True. 
_____________________________
"A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not faith."--Richard Wurmbrand
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/30/2009 8:11:28 AM
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Tinkerbell_
Posts: 8034
Joined: 1/25/2008
From: NeverNeverLand
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I know there are countries out there who do live without electricity but unfortunately America isn't one of them. EVERYthing we do requires some form of electricity; storing food, work, medicinal purposes...we are not knowledgable in the ways of 'living off the land' and it would take years...maybe even generations to get to where we could do so.
_____________________________
When I've shown you that I just don't care
When I'm throwing punches in the air
When I'm broken down and I can't stand
Will you be strong enough to be my man?
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/30/2009 10:34:04 AM
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crankius
Posts: 3760
Joined: 4/12/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: CoeurdeLeon
I agree with Ps103. If we're talking necessary to life in general, none of the above.
If we're talking about maintaining our way of life that might be a different story. Hauling water and fuel for heat and cooking takes a great deal of time. Women couldn't work 8 hours a day and do what needed to be done.
Plus, we'd all be taking only one bath a week.
Whether we needed it or not.
I agree that the definition of "necessity" is central to the discussion.
The question from the Pew Research Center was worded like this: "Do you pretty much think of this as a necessity or pretty much think of this as a luxury you could do without?" That's as clear as they made it.
I could do without all of these things, and still be content--happy probably wouldn't be the right descriptive.
I'm thankful for my dryer, air conditioner, dishwasher, high speed internet, home computer, and car (though I've had my car since 2001, and I just broke 40,000 miles ).
I rarely use the microwave.
My sansa (mp3 player) makes running so much more pleasant, but I can do without it if I have to.
I forget I even have a cell phone.
All T.V.'s should be obliterated.
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Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/30/2009 10:56:36 AM
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Kerrlaw
Posts: 6669
Joined: 5/24/2006
From: Big Orange Country
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Only a certain few things are absolutely necessary to sustain life (breathable air, potable water, nourishment, shelter, sex, etc.). Just about everything else is subjective, and we probably view it is the context of the time and place we live.
I'm not up to defining the gap between necessity and luxury, so I am just going to list the choices given in the order of which they are most important to me.
1. Car
2. TV
3. Air conditioner
4. Clothes dryer
5. microwave
6. Home computer (with internet)
7. cellphone
8. High speed internet
9. dishwasher
10. iPod
Prioritizing was harder than I thought, and I'm still not sure. For example, clothes dryer might be at the bottom if I could go to a laundromat and dry them. TV provides a lot of information, but I could give it up easier if I had a computer and internet.
This is certainly a good thread.
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That which does not kill us makes us fatter. ~ crankius
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RE: Are these Necessities? - 4/30/2009 11:49:02 AM
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Ps103
Posts: 12140
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: Here, now
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This thread is really messing with my mind, Cranky. Shame on you! 
I used to love to go visit my granny (well, great-granny, actually). She *did* have electricity, but only because one of her sons bullied her into getting it so she could run a refrigerator. So she had electric lights, too--in the form of bare bulbs that hung down from the ceiling. She never turned them on. If it was dark enough to need them, she was long in bed. And a small tv that someone in the family handed down to her. I am not sure if it even worked.
If you wanted water, you went out the back door and into the pump room, put the bucket under the pump and had at it. The water that came out was ice cold and tasted wonderful. They came through putting in water lines, but she refused because they would have to dig up everything to lay the lines and she didn't want to fool with that.
If you wanted *hot* water, you opened the lid on the container on the side of the stove. If you wanted it boiling, you put it in a pot and set it on an eye. You could lift the eyes off the stove with tongs to see if the fire was hot enough.
Her kitchen was exactly big enough to hold the cook stove, a small cupboard and a table that served double duty as a counter while preparing food and the place to put the big metal bowl that was the "sink" when you were washing dishes afterward. It had been smaller at one point (I can't imagine that), and when my great-grandfather proclaimed the kitchen "big enough," she took an axe to the walls while he was working (railroad) so he had no choice but make her a larger one.
In the winter, cooking in that kitchen was cozy and warm. In the summer it was miserable to me, but it didn't affect her at all. Once when she was sick, I cooked her dinner when it was 96* outside and who knows how hot inside over that cook stove. She laughed and said I looked sicker than she was.
She washed her clothes in the kitchen and dried them in the back yard. When she got older, we would go get her laundry and take it to the laundromat and do them there. She couldn't understand why--it took longer to do that than for one of us to wash them in the kitchen and hang them out. Unless it was raining.
She had a small radio for music and news, but she didn't like to turn it on. If you wanted entertainment, you read a book. For music, you made your own--preferably on the big pump organ that was her pride and joy. Unfortunately, the entire family had the musical ability of a collection of tin cans, but it was great fun to play with. And people talked to one another. Really talked.
If you showed her a computer or an iPod or a cell phone, she would say "Well, how about *that!* and that was it. She wouldn't want or need one, even if she thought they were fascinating.
She never had a car, but would ride in one if you insisted. Her brothers had cars, but she never saw a use for one. Her husband walked eleven miles to work every morning and eleven miles back, so if you needed to go farther than that (and there was no train) she would allow that a car was a nice convenience, but a horse would do you just as good.
She disliked air conditioning. It made her cold. So if you brought her to this town she had to stay with my grandmother (her daughter) who also hated air conditioning, but loved all the other conveniences. They both lived very long lives without it, through the hot, humid Dog Days when the rest of us were scrambling to get out of the heat.
The one thing I really hated about going there was the lack of indoor plumbing. I like flush toilets and think they are wonderful additions to any home or office. I do not want to put my pot under the bed or make a little trip out the back door to the outhouse. Outhouses smell bad, they are dark and I once saw a snake in there. After that, I would walk two miles to an uncle's house to use his bathroom (while hearing his hooting laugh at what a big baby I was). I didn't care. I hate snakes.
I really think indoor plumbing is a lot more important than electricity
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Fasten your seatbelts...it's going to be a bumpy night.
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