David Gillette Essay | Deconstructing the Dryer
Clip: Season 2026 Episode 41 | 1m 27sVideo has Closed Captions
David Gillette thinks about failing appliances and crumbling civilizations.
David Gillette thinks about failing appliances and crumbling civilizations.
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Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Almanac is a local public television program presented by Twin Cities PBS
David Gillette Essay | Deconstructing the Dryer
Clip: Season 2026 Episode 41 | 1m 27sVideo has Closed Captions
David Gillette thinks about failing appliances and crumbling civilizations.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> A FEMP WEEKS AGO, COMPLETELY OUT OF NOWHERE, OUR CLOTHES DRYER STOPPED WORKING.
AND OF COURSE THERE'S NEVER A GREAT TIME FOR THINGS LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN.
BUT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH ITS GRADUATION PARTIES AND TRIPS TO THE BEACH AND BASICALLY MULTIPLE WARDROBE CHANGES EVERY SINGLE DAY, THAT IS A PARTICULARLY BAD TIME.
THE ADDED COMPLICATION WAS THAT IT WAS SO HUMID OUR CLOTHES JUST WOULDN'T DRY ON THE CLOTHES LINE.
SO OUR HOUSE QUICKLY BECAME AN 18TH CENTURY GARMENT FACTORY.
THE DEHUMIDIFY YEAR CRANKED UP TO 11.
NOW, THERE'S AN UNDENIABLE -IRONY WHEN THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN TO ME.
BECAUSE I AM SOMEONE WHO'S ALWAYS BEEN ATTRACTED TO STORIES OF CIVILIZATION COLLAPSE.
ONE DAY WE'RE STREAMING DISNEY PLUS AND THE NEXT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR OUR SURVIVAL WITH SHARPENED STICKS.
WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO EXPERIENCE A TRANSITION LIKE THAT.
BUT THEN I GET EVEN THE FAINTEST WHIFF, ONE SINGLE IS A APPLIANCE GOES DOWN, AND I REALIZE, H, NO, NO, NO, NO, THAT WOULD IN FACT BE FAR BEYOND ANYTHING I COULD HANDLE.
AND THAT'S WHY I'VE STARTING TELLING MYSELF THAT IS A APPLIANCE FAILURE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE COSMIC PLAN, NOT BECAUSE IT PREVENTS US FROM GOING TO THE BEACH, BUT BECAUSE IT REMINDS US THAT WE'RE PRETTY LUCKY
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