The OP didn’t spell our why menial tasks could be valuable, so here’s why I think we should keep doing at least some menial tasks. I’m not saying we should eschew technology or other help (I’m not ideologically against dishwashers or hiring cleaners) but I think there can be deep value in spending a not-necessarily-very-large amount of time on some menial task
- It can be a humbling experience, helping us identify with those less fortunate than us both in our own country and abroad. - Maintaining our own spaces (dishes, toilets etc.) can be a community and maturity building experience, through forcing people to spend extra time in community spaces, working together to solve problems unrelated to their work and to help each other understand each others preferences and rub up against each others expectations and cultural norms a bit. Obviously it can also cause conflict and stress as well which can be a tradeoff. - While we are doing practical things with our hands, we can rest and quiet our minds, which may sometimes lead to unexpected creativity or discovery. - They can help us appreciate more the other more cerebral work we might be doing - We can demonstrate to others looking in, and to our other workmates that we don’t consider ourselves “elite” or “above” certain tasks
A small note
The OP didn’t spell our why menial tasks could be valuable, so here’s why I think we should keep doing at least some menial tasks. I’m not saying we should eschew technology or other help (I’m not ideologically against dishwashers or hiring cleaners) but I think there can be deep value in spending a not-necessarily-very-large amount of time on some menial task
- It can be a humbling experience, helping us identify with those less fortunate than us both in our own country and abroad.
- Maintaining our own spaces (dishes, toilets etc.) can be a community and maturity building experience, through forcing people to spend extra time in community spaces, working together to solve problems unrelated to their work and to help each other understand each others preferences and rub up against each others expectations and cultural norms a bit. Obviously it can also cause conflict and stress as well which can be a tradeoff.
- While we are doing practical things with our hands, we can rest and quiet our minds, which may sometimes lead to unexpected creativity or discovery.
- They can help us appreciate more the other more cerebral work we might be doing
- We can demonstrate to others looking in, and to our other workmates that we don’t consider ourselves “elite” or “above” certain tasks