The speaker discusses their passion for repairing old electronics, tracing back to the 60s and 70s when companies used to have parts counters. They mention their father, who started a repair shop, American Electronics, in Toronto's West End in 1973. The speaker notes the changes in the electronics industry, from parts counters to today's sophisticated technology that is harder to repair. They argue that it's not the technology that's harder to repair, but the system that manufacturers have used to stop selling parts over the past 20-30 years.
The speaker introduces Kyle, from iFixit, who provides guides and parts for products that most manufacturers won't repair. They highlight the issue of throwaway culture and the environmental implications, stating that repair shops are withering away due to this. They also mention that products today are built not to last, often referred to as "planned obsolescence."
The speaker discusses the electronic recycling industry, stating that the warehouse in Toronto is always full and the industry cannot keep up with the world's appetite for electronics. They conclude by discussing the Right to Repair movement, stating that it's a fundamental human right to have access to the knowledge to fix the things we depend on for modern life.
1. The speaker likes repairing old items because they can be fixed to their original condition.
2. The speaker is part of a family-owned repair shop in Toronto's West End, which was started by John's father, Frank, in 1973.
3. In the 1970s and 80s, companies used to have parts counters.
4. The speaker used to ride a bicycle to factories to pick up parts for his father.
5. The speaker believes that parts counters and technology have become more sophisticated since the 70s and 80s.
6. The speaker is part of a movement pushing for the right to repair, which is the idea that if you bought a product, you should be able to fix it.
7. Even skilled technicians like John have to go to great lengths to do simple repairs once the product becomes out of warranty.
8. Manufacturers have systematically stopped selling parts over the last 20-30 years.
9. Repair shops are part of the local economy, and their decline has severe implications for the environment and the economy.
10. Many products today are specifically built not to last, a practice often referred to as planned obsolescence.
11. The speaker believes that companies are making so much money selling new products every two years that they don't have an incentive to make products that last longer.
12. The speaker argues that there is a misalignment between what society needs and what is profitable for some of the largest corporations in the world.
13. The speaker mentions that the electronic recycling association's warehouse in Toronto is always full.
14. The speaker discusses the growth of e-waste, with a record 54 million tons of electronic waste thrown out in 2019 alone.
15. The speaker believes that making all this new tech is what causes the most pollution and environmental harm.
16. The speaker mentions that we are digging a mountain out of the Earth every day to make and feed our regular electronic consumption.
17. The speaker talks about the barrier of digital locks, which prevents fixes without special software.
18. The speaker mentions the movement for the right to repair, which aims to give people more control over the things they already own.
19. The speaker mentions that big tech companies have begun to make some concessions, with Apple launching a DIY repair program, Google and Samsung now selling parts for their phones, and Nokia and Microsoft making more repairable products.
20. The speaker emphasizes the need to pass laws to construct the kind of society we want to live in, stating that it's a fundamental human right to have access to the knowledge to fix all the things that we depend on for modern life.