Labor-saving devices

As I read through this fine essay by Mike Austin about how pitiful it is to complain that we're slaves to the technology that is supposed to make us free, I couldn't help but remember a bit from a Jerry Clower story, in which Clower has checked into a fancy hotel room at a resort and is alarmed to discover that, although a big football game he wants to see is about to start, there is no TV in his room.

He points that out to the snooty concierge who replies that the rich guests at the hotel don't want to be disturbed by television. And Jerry replies, "Well, I would hope they got sense enough to turn it off if they don't want to watch it!"