Re: Hired Girl... other applications
Society could automate a lot of stuff that Heinlein didn't mention in the story. But *would* human beings choose to create a society where robots did all or most of the necessary physical labor? And (probably more relevant) would Heinlein have believed that such a society was either possible or desirable? I have my doubts that he would, simply because he'd see the problems. Most of us need to feel useful, as if what we do contributes to society or at least the lives and happiness of somebody beyond our own skin.
Come to think of it, he approaches this subject in an early book, Beyond this Horizon. I'd have loved to read what the later Heinlein had to say about this subject.