DescentBB

Here's something I've been noticing over the past months and years -- when it comes to items I own, to vehicles I work on to PC's that are not custom built. Over the past months and years, there's been a trend from goods being easily serviceable in the home and garage, to being difficult, time consuming or borderline impossible to repair.

I'm not sure exactly where it started, but I have a feeling that my generation might actually be the last generation able or even willing to repair our own stuff. Vehicles have so much engine stuffed under the hood that when you open it up, it's essentially sealed. A prime example is F150's that are 2015 and newer -- techs have to lift the entire cab off the frame to do an oil change. PC's, especially the all-in-ones are so tightly integrated that the only thing you can service is a cable and memory, and farm equipment is becoming a disaster for farmers to repair.

One day, we might be reminiscing about repairing things like our parents reminisced about the drive-in theater

Ferno wrote:I'm not sure exactly where it started, but I have a feeling that my generation might actually be the last generation able or even willing to repair our own stuff.

It started a loooong time ago. When I was a kid I remember my grandfather complaining about the rise of transistors and printed circuit boards. He was a Ham Radio guy and lamented the death of vacuum tubes. I agree that consumer repair is a thing of the past, but mostly because replacing is cheaper than repairing in many cases. Still, those of us who are avid tinkerers find things to goof around with. I still repair laptops and once repaired my Kindle. There is also the issue of fabrication. Some parts just can't be repaired, yet. I'm hoping 3D printing opens up a new world for consumer hacking. Imagine taking apart your phone, printing out a new chassis for it, and combining it with a peripheral into some new type of device. That would be fun. I bet one day you will probably be able to 3D print circuit boards with all the parts already on it!

I remember stone tools and we took exams on papyrus scrolls! Seriously, though, it is interesting to see the view of modern advances through the lens of those younger than myself.

I have seen this also in the last 20 years. Pre-built PC's are hard to service but have always been that way. They made them in the 90's that you couldn't upgrade with NON DELL/HP parts etc.

Cars have become harder also because of all the extra electronics. Dealers want you to come to them and get charged more for the same work so they are making the cars harder to work on.

I have no experience with Farm equipment though but I'm sure it's the same way.

Look at ink jet printers, it's easier and cheaper to throw it away then to buy new ink.

Side effect of miniaturization and production cost saving. Ever taken a modern gadget apart ?* I really don't want to work even on my 2000 VR6 engine (and that was the last year that thing was dropped into cars in that form.)

* Interestingly the complexity of these gadgets sparked a new service...