Comments on: platform 21’s ‘repair manifesto’

By: final fashion » click click - 10-03-09

final fashion » click click - 10-03-09 — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:53:00 +0000

[...] Bits & Bobbins shares the Repair Manifesto. [...]

By: Erica

Erica — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:46:52 +0000

This is so on point and exactly what we need to hear right now. My favorite part about this is the acknowledgment that it is a mentality shift; it’s a conscious change in one’s approach to life, a very profound and positive change. We all need to make urgent lifestyle changes to halt destructive patterns, and learning skills to be self-sufficient and resourceful can only be beneficial. Thanks for sharing this!

By: sarah

sarah — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:02:28 +0000

I love this! I don’t tend to t think about repairing as “adding to” their meaning/life, but it makes sense. I like it. Thanks!

By: ambika

ambika — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:41:47 +0000

This is exactly why I never bought another iPod. That they had *no* means of repairing the thing in house, refused to offer any repair references because it wasn’t ‘Apple supported’ and could only offer me a new one at a 10% discount. That was completely untenable to me.

By: SwanDiamondRose

SwanDiamondRose — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:27:52 +0000

sry that last sentence is meant to be-
and how when the object IS altered or added to it also gains. it’s an amazing book.

By: SwanDiamondRose

SwanDiamondRose — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:05:04 +0000

i 1000% agree with this. when i purchase something, even something inexpensive, or thrifted, i consider that i am responsible for it’s lifespan. i take into consideration that if i won’t want it someday that it should be something that can be gotten rid off responsibly- given to someone, is donate-able, can biodegrade, or be recycled, upcycled. i like to buy/make things that will last a lifetime.

this is why the vintage shoe thing drives me nuts, it seems like a good idea but i use toxic glue to make the repairs, and i don’t like buying new shoes. but i’ve ranted a lot about that before.

and Jennine, about products meant to be tossed, i’m reading an interesting book, i guess i should blog it, called- Good Guys & Bad Guys: BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE SAINTS AND SCOUNDRELS OF AMERICAN BUSINESS (AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN) by Joe Nocera. there is an entry called “Good Luck with that Broken Ipod”. it addresses specifically that you can’t upgrade, that you have to buy a new one, that they don’t really do repairs, that the warranties expire somewhat conveniently etc. (the book is about unexpectedly who might be the good/bad companies in the states).

the other book that relates to this is The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World by Lewis Hyde. i blogged it under a previous name of it. it has had around 3 titles. a large part of the book deals with how objects gain… meaning, spirit, history through being passed to other people, the more passing the more gain. and how when the object or altered or added to it also gains. it’s an amazing book.

By: madam0wl

madam0wl — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:53:21 +0000

Hear Hear! I have a 1st generation iPod that I’ve had repaired once, and my Powerbook’s screen currently only works if I have a binder clip pinching it in the lower left corner. Ha ha. I sew buttons back on and mend things, and have a huge “to fix” pile.

Maybe there needs to be 4 R’s? Though I’m sure most people would categorize “repair” under “reuse”?

By: Georgie

Georgie — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:08:19 +0000

This is great!

By: emily august

emily august — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:59:13 +0000

Couldn’t agree more!

By: Sal

Sal — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:01:51 +0000

LOVE this.