Nothing stops anyone from doing all those things if they so choose. I never said anything about demeaning; they're just tedious for the most part. Technology is what you make of it.
You are right in some ways. Thirty years ago these things were considered tedious and no one wanted to do them. Today? I don't know. They make me feel I have a home that is mine. Tedious? Try those silly games our children play...technology is what you make of it. My life skills will sustain me. PS2 won't.