Everywhere I am there is a guy running a leaf blower. At my house, leaf blowers everywhere all day long. At work, of course, leaf blowers blowing dirt and allergens into the air. It’s such a special noise, it goes through walls and headphones so effectively. They are the most pervasive, annoying things on the planet. I hate them more than mosquitoes.

  • Hugh_Jeggs
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    1 month ago

    The biggest problem with leaf blowers is that they’re absurdly useful. They’re incredibly good at what they do and a thousand times more efficient than a brush

    I use one professionally, so answer me this - if you hired me to clear leaves off your driveway and I said I can do it in half an hour with a leaf blower, or two and a half hours with a brush… which one would you be willing to pay me for?

    • MindTraveller@lemmy.ca
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      30 days ago

      Noise pollution is bad for public health. This is what economists call an externality. Your use of the leaf blower affects more people than just the customer. The government should tax leaf blower use to fund public healthcare, and you should pass the cost onto the client so they’re paying for the externalities of the convenience

      • Hugh_Jeggs
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        30 days ago

        Counterpoint - I live in the middle of fuckin nowhere, as do my customers

    • rbesfe@lemmy.ca
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      30 days ago

      As a professional, what are your thoughts on the backpack-style electric blowers?

      • Hugh_Jeggs
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        30 days ago

        The council guys have been using them in the town near me, they said they had some shit ones before, complained about them, and were given Stihl ones instead.

        They said they’re fine but you can’t just refill them when you’re away from the depot