Why the 1WTC window washers were up there in the first place
When two window washers were left dangling from scaffolding outside the 69th floor of One World Trade Center, many people wondered: In our high-tech world, why are humans still doing such a dangerous job in the first place?
It turns out that when it comes to window washing on tall buildings, a human touch is actually better than a robot's, expert Craig S. Caulkins told the New York Times.
"Buildings are starting to look like huge sculptures in the sky," said Caulkins. "A robot can't maneuver to get around those curves to get into the facets of the building."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
At a news conference Friday, window washer Juan Lopez joked he might stick to washing windows closer to the ground, but Juan Lizama said he would be happy to get back up there.
One reporter asked the men a particularly pressing question: "Did you take a selfie?" Nope.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published