Posted on 01/09/2019 9:05:57 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
It is frustrating: you buy a new appliance then just after the warranty runs out, it gives up the ghost.
You can’t repair it and can’t find anyone else to at a decent price, so it joins the global mountain of junk.
You’re forced to buy a replacement, which fuels climate change from the greenhouse gases released in the manufacturing process.
But help is at hand, because citizens in the EU and parts of the USA will soon get a "right to repair" - of sorts.
This consists of a series of proposals from European environment ministers to force manufacturers to make goods that last longer and are easier to mend.
The European proposals refer to lighting, televisions and large home appliances.
At least 18 US states are considering similar laws in a growing backlash against products which can’t be prised apart because they’re glued together, or which don’t have a supply of spare parts, or repair instructions.
Plans for the EU Ecodesign Directive are complex and controversial. Manufacturers say the proposed rules on repairability are too strict and will stifle innovation.
Consumer campaigners complain the EU Commission has allowed firms to keep control of the repair process by insisting some products are mended by professionals under the control of manufacturers.
The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) said: “This restricts the access of independent repairers to spare parts and information - and that limits the scope and affordability of repair services.” The EEB also wants other products like smart phones and printers included in the legislation.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
I have been looking at the bleeding edge of electronics throughout the personal computing era, starting with Z-80 eight bit computers.
I have also worked in computer repair shops.
In many cases, making the computers repairable/upgradable actually REDUCES reliability. Soldered in memory is more reliable than removable memory, for instance. Apple makes the least upgradable/repairable devices, but also lead most benchmarks for reliability (outside the occasional king-sized clunker, like the Mac SE power supplies and the large batch of Quantum hard drives whose lubricant dried out after 100 days on a Mac with a 90 day warranty).
Storing parts inventory that goes obsolete is a waste of space and capital. Apple raised eyebrows when their iPhones shipped with no user removable batteries. Five years later, only flip phones come with removable batteries.
Modern laptop computers are pretty much motherboard, screen, power supply, storage. Make anything below that “reparable”, and you will likely have a bigger, heavier, less reliable laptop.
My next desktop computer will have numerous slots, and will be somewhat upgradeable (Intel is not great these days on processor upgrades). I will also pay roughly double for the privilege.
If we used government guidelines instead of the market for our computing devices, we’d likely still be using “low-emissions” low glare Nokia 17” CRTs for our monitors. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs were forced on us when the LEDs would have outmuscled most of the venerable incandescent bulbs when the technology was mature (now), and we would have skipped all the mercury-laden kludge crap CFLs that are still polluting innocent light fixtures everywhere.
One of the more galling things about the Energy Star disaster is that you know full well that the DC clymers who came up with those regs have their clothes cleaned at laundries and eat at restaurants with dishes cleaned using non-Energy Star appliances.
The list goes on and on. Whenever the government steps in, mediocrity follows. I have been an aviation enthusiast since I was old enough to climb up on the roof and jump off. We have lived on a small airport for the last 25 years. I truly believe that without the FAA’s assistance, flying cars would have been the preferred mode of transportation in outlying areas for the at least the last 10 years.
My furnace, AC and water heater are late ‘80’s. I’ve thought about replacing them for more efficient but they ain’t broke. I know new ones won’t last as long.
You’re confusing them with common sense you know. They won’t buy it. They don’t understand it. It’s an alien concept.
Whirlpool, or visa versa. But I think Whirlpool.
I have teenagers. They hate me for this, but I routinely quiz them and inform them about "trending" current events. I ask them what they have heard and what they think. I am careful to NEVER tell them what to think. Instead, I ask logical questions about the issue and what they think about it knowing they can't answer them. Then I invite them to go get those answers before they assume that what they think is correct.
Sometimes they will ask me what I think. I will then explain my position and answer the questions I posed to them based on what I know. I am teaching them critical thinking instead of pushing my hard and fast conservative politics, less I fear a revolt. It seems effective.
A recent example is "gay marriage". "People should be able to marry anyone they want." Really? What about a 10 year old? Their pet dog? Their car? A turtle? What is the purpose of marriage? What did Jesus say about marriage? Are their alternatives to "marriage for same sex couples"? Why is marriage important to humans as a species? Why is marriage important to children? Why is marriage important in our religious faith? ..... you get the point.
We did about the same thing when they were still at home, and they were pretty good at figuring out and understanding things on their own. We found that ridiculous irrational analogies that rung true in comparison was our best tool. “well that is ridiculous Dad”, yes it is, but the cause and effect and lack of common sense of this situation is exactly the same isn’t it? “Well now that you put it that way... yes”.
Most of it concerned the difference between being a blind follower of others or being a leader of their own-selves as unique individuals with the right to choose as THEY would like to not as others tell them they should. We taught them to be themselves rather than what society dictates they should be and they have done very well in this aspect and are passing the concept down to our Grandchildren.
The only reminding we have to do now that they are all adults with their own children has to do with mostly financing. Consumerism and the enticements to extend credit beyond means are very powerful forces to recon with as one becomes more well off in life as they are. Being raised in a business environment they know better about operating within a budget, making sure that an investment will indeed pay for it’s self with minor risk, and ALWAYS maintain a cushion.
But once in awhile we do have to remind them of the past mistakes that we ourselves made in the past concerning finances and that they are about to get in a hurry and do the same. They usually regroup and do new math using the parameters we shared from our own experiences of having been around the block a few times. We have been right so many times now that they take the advice seriously.
Just simple reminders that Murphy’s law is a real thing and no matter how confident you feel about a financial choice, you can never make this choice without figuring that if something can go wrong it will. There are ALWAYS unforeseen variables that can throw a wrench in the works. The list of “what if this happens?” needs to be seriously explored and considered first as any successful business full well understands. :)
“Want or need” and “business or pleasure” are antonyms and will dictate success or failure which are also antonyms. There is no middle ground gray area, you WILL become enslaved and owned by it if you try. It’s strictly a pass or fail test in reality.
But after a few mistakes themselves trying to keep up with the Jonses because they didn’t listen, they are finally remembering what they forgot about what they already know. :)
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