One day it was too silent, the air was too clean, there was no obnoxious sounds, exhaust, or dust particulates in the air. So, a guy invented leaf blowers.
One day it was too silent, the air was too clean, there was no obnoxious sounds, exhaust, or dust particulates in the air. So, a guy invented leaf blowers.
I'd be mostly ok with it because of noise canceling headphones, but when the neighbors rev it up and down and up and down, the headphones can't keep up. When the other neighbor's lawn service comes, they use it on high speed for 7.5 minutes, then go away and I barely hear it.
Every fucking day. I hate it so much!
Also, when I had a lawn, I had an electric mower, electric leaf blower, electric edger.. Because I'm not an asshole. I also like having less maintenance. Why is that so fucking hard?
I know the world has much bigger problems to focus on right now but I dream of time when loud ICE engines are banned at least in residential zones.
How could you possibly have fun with one of those oversized hair dryers?
The need for leaf blowers is induced by covering almost every bit of ground with asphalt. Otherwise the leaves would just... you know... be fine and rot in peace. It's second level estrangement from nature.
You have a valid point but also having walkable sidewalks is an important thing. You'd need at least a bit of concrete/asphalt to make sure everyone, especially those with disabilities, can move around.
Making sure the leaves are out of the way allows pedestrians to walk safely (no hidden sharp objects, no slipping on wet leaves, etc.) and makes sure those on wheelchairs are also able to pass.
Not sure why raking isn't more popular though. I'm tormented by leaf blowers in the morning at 7:30.
Raking isn't more popular because it's slower and way more work. Blowers are excellent for snow removal too (when it's the light and dry kind).
I have an electric leaf blower and it's pretty quiet. Some students, earlier this year, found a way to make the blowers quieter - https://engineering.jhu.edu/news/hearing-is-be-leafing-students-invent-quieter-leaf-blower/
Wake up
Sun is shining
Birds are singing
Have tea on porch
Watch the squirrels frolicking in the leaves
Despite everything, it's all going to be okay
Oh, hiya neighbour
Doing some yard work?
BWARRRARARARRRGHGHHGHGHGHGHGThere's actually a really interesting story about the leaf blower wars in LA: https://pca.st/episode/c2e284af-5c3f-4416-b6b8-4d9610b80c70
Haha.
OK, dammit, I was annoyed by the opening, but I went along just to see where it goes.
You made me snort. And dammit you're right. Have my upvote.
What's doubly frustrating is the same technology is used as a giant vacuum, it's the same motor, same compressor wheel (albeit aluminum), same case, with a giant bag attached. If these asshats were vacuuming stuff up instead of just blowing over to the next yard, I'd be a little less annoyed.
The other day I watched a city worker blowing grass clippings out of the street back into the park that had just been mowed. Why? We have pretty steady breezes here through the summer, so you're just wasting time. If they'd left the clippings, passing cars (at 30mph) would kick them up for the breeze to carry away and decompose on some grass.
Instead they did the opposite, use energy to do what Mother Nature would do just as quickly.
Pound for pound, the CFM output of vacuums doesn't come close to the CFM of leaf blowers. Probably because of the lack of filtration. And I guess that's the point. Why filter material the wind would just kick up in the air naturally anyway? This is a waste of energy and time. Obviously if you are blowing material that normally wouldn't be outdoors for the wind to blow around naturally, that's a different story.
I will admit, the sound is really annoying though.
If these asshats were vacuuming stuff up instead of just blowing over to the next yard, I’d be a little less annoyed.
when i was not so poor and still owned a lawn care business, i actually had a lawn and leaf vacuum attached to trailers. they work great, blow the leaves into a pile, and suck them up. had smaller versions that were the width of a lawn mower-ish for where it was not feasible to blow. the smaller ones didnt work that well with leaves but great in the spring after spring clean up.
I’m sitting outside, and I hear at least three leaf blowers going in my neighborhood.
Prescient
What is it with Lemmy and their cult like dislike of leaf blowers. It’s so fucking odd. People low, people drive cars, people drive louder cars, people drive motorcycles and loud mopeds. People blow leaves off of their front porches. It’s wild that normal life things like this set Lemmy off so hard when others don’t.
For people that get to work from home or work off shifts and sleep in the day they are annoyingly loud, and seem like they are in constant use due to everyone doing yard work at different times.
You've only heard people complain about leaf blowers on lemmy? Seems like a very common annoyance in my general experience, and this is about the time of year when they come out in force, so it's not surprising people are going to complain.
Also, leaf blowers are pretty damn high on the noise/utility ratio. MFers in my neighborhood will be out there for half an hour blowing around grass clippings after mowing, when the wind is gusting 20mph.
Then let them blow. Why are people getting so wrapped up on a nothing issue. “OMG I bought a house/rented an apartment around people and the people noises are bothering me! These people are the worst!” Instead of “if I wanted peace and quiet I’d move somewhere with peace and quiet instead of complaining about the people I live close to doing people stuff.” Seems pretty cut and dry to me.
Edit: I bought a house on a postage stamp in the middle of the city. My neighbor decided to get a motorcycle this year. Ok, it’s a little loud sometimes. But, it’s the city. Also, my dogs bark sometimes when I’m taking a shit in the morning so I have to rush to bring them inside, and sometimes that’s like 5 minutes of barking at 06:30. I honestly am worried about my neighbors being annoyed by it. So, sure. My neighbor can have a motorcycle. It’s a free world. Other people can blow leaves. My dogs will bark. Getting annoyed by noise and judging people on it, especially when there’s a legitimate reason for it, is absurd. Get upset at the guys making their cars louder or music and cruising relentlessly. But, their dogs barking a little when let out, their motorcycles just turning over before they roll out, or them mowing or blowing leaves? Seems like people are thin skinned when it comes to living in a society here.