Making something with the idea that it will fail, isn't that bizarre? Imagine a book that falls apart after one read or a chair that breaks after a year? It's bizarre.
Some people swear that they moved into apartments in the former Yugoslavia in the fifties or sixties, and never changed a light bulb.
But that was yesterday. Today, it is known that electrical and electronic devices are made either poorly or, even worse, deliberately so that they lose their soul after a year, two or three. Just when the warranty expires.
"A planned defect is not allowed, but it is difficult to prove," Manuel Heusserman, a spokesman for i, tells us technician from the company Ifixit, which will be discussed later. "When failure happens immediately after the deadline, of course it seems like a deliberate provocation of a new purchase."
Don't pretend it lasts.
Back in the 1920s, a global cartel of light bulb manufacturers was formed, aiming for a light bulb to work for only a thousand hours - the cartel was only discovered decades later.
It's clear why - if a light bulb, a mixer or a mobile phone didn't break down, or perhaps sometimes needed a minor repair, manufacturers could close shop.
But, as Heuserman says, it's more often a matter of poor workmanship than of an ingenious evil plan.
"Let's say critical parts are poorly made, with plastic that can deform. Or when repairability is not a top priority. Ostensibly for the sake of design, a device like a phone should be thin, beautiful, but not repairable."
It can always be fixed.
For example, a modern smartphone is sticky. "It takes heat to peel it off so it's complicated to get into the device. Some like Apple have special screws that aren't widely available so they're not even screwdrivers."
This is where it comes into play. Ifixit. This American company has been around for twenty years and so far they have made available over a hundred thousand free instructions for repairing devices, from video game consoles to vacuum cleaners.
Let's say, the new Samsung smartphone. At some point the battery will fail - code Ifixita a small set with tools (lifetime warranty) and a spare battery can be ordered for less than 40 euros.
"The repair depends on the device. We believe that anyone can succeed, but depending on the number of steps, many do not dare," Heusserman continues to tell our newsletter Medjuvreme.
"Let's say that for a normal smartphone it takes an hour to replace the display - you have to work with heat. We developed a small tool that can be heated in a microwave, but you can also use a hair dryer with caution, because the phone can withstand about 80 degrees."
They get the parts either from the manufacturer or from other companies, mainly from China, which simply copy the original parts.
They have the most trouble with Apple. Heuserman says diplomatically that Apple likes to "keep control of its device." For example, if you install a non-genuine battery in your iPhone, it will recognize it and warn you or even limit some functions.
Will there be more repairs?
However, the spirit of the times goes in the direction of repairs. Last year, the "right to repair" was strengthened in the EU. Spare parts must be on the market longer, as well as software.
U Ifixit they are not completely satisfied. They are looking for even stronger modularity - when you can easily disassemble the device. "Especially with key parts. The phone's battery is chemically loosened and loses capacity, the display breaks easily. It should be easily replaceable."
He says the repair is important because it saves resources like rare earth metals. "Recycling is fine, but it should be the last step because it still wastes a lot of resources."
In recent years, the world has generated over sixty million tons of e-waste annually. But maybe that doesn't have to be true - but it's cheaper for me to buy a new one than to repair it.
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