I’ve been privileged to have enough money that I didn’t need to repair my stuff when it breaks. I’ll just buy a new one. I’m generally talking big devices like house appliances and cars and I will still repair them: I.e replacing a gasket on my clothes washing machine, general maintenance on cars like oil, belts, etc. I’m not a monster.
But when the maintenance cost became similar to just replacing the device outright, I’d just buy a new device. Hey, upgrades are fun.
Until a few years ago.
Modern devices are just absolute shit: They spy on you, requiring internet access for a fucking dishwasher to function; Your car might now have a remote disable feature, or cameras that tattle if you drive while looking tired; They are made of the cheapest materials and designed to fail to force you to get the newer model.
I know this was a thing a while ago, but I’ve become more aware of it recently, and I’m worried that I might have some of the last pieces of non-smart spy-tech that I can easily get.
In 2010, I wanted a 2015 car with bluetooth, keyless entry and lane assist kinds of features.
In 2026, I want a 2015-era thing, if not one from before then.
My father has a fridge in his garage that has been mostly used for storing left-overs for ages. That fridge was the one I scribbled on with a marker when I was a tiny kiddo. I’m in my 40s. How long has your fridge existed?
I’m now spending more time learning how to maintain my stuff so that my non-internet-connected fridge lasts me until after the apocalypse.
I’m the rube.
I’ve been privileged to have enough money that I didn’t need to repair my stuff when it breaks. I’ll just buy a new one. I’m generally talking big devices like house appliances and cars and I will still repair them: I.e replacing a gasket on my clothes washing machine, general maintenance on cars like oil, belts, etc. I’m not a monster.
But when the maintenance cost became similar to just replacing the device outright, I’d just buy a new device. Hey, upgrades are fun.
Until a few years ago.
Modern devices are just absolute shit: They spy on you, requiring internet access for a fucking dishwasher to function; Your car might now have a remote disable feature, or cameras that tattle if you drive while looking tired; They are made of the cheapest materials and designed to fail to force you to get the newer model.
I know this was a thing a while ago, but I’ve become more aware of it recently, and I’m worried that I might have some of the last pieces of non-smart spy-tech that I can easily get.
In 2010, I wanted a 2015 car with bluetooth, keyless entry and lane assist kinds of features.
In 2026, I want a 2015-era thing, if not one from before then.
My father has a fridge in his garage that has been mostly used for storing left-overs for ages. That fridge was the one I scribbled on with a marker when I was a tiny kiddo. I’m in my 40s. How long has your fridge existed?
I’m now spending more time learning how to maintain my stuff so that my non-internet-connected fridge lasts me until after the apocalypse.