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I suspect a hidden driver of innovation in the modern economy is that the only time it makes sense to do home DIY/maker stuff is if you're trying to invent something actually new that has the potential to generate big returns. Repair/maintenance economics simply doesn't work.
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This is why I don't believe in the "maker movement". It's just tech-chic DIY that distracts from working on the sort of problems that matter to a lot of people (while also thereby creating that negative association to useful tinkering). It's tech-washing pastoral mimetic desires.
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Yep, there's only 2 ways of doing it that are not tech-washed pastoralism (great phrase, stealing it): you either enjoy it as a hobby and call it that, or you do it in a strategic way shaped by an understanding of the manufacturing economy, and in pursuit of a different world
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Neat idea, but I think it's the opposite of true. Expect fewer maintenance/repair techs means a smaller pool of people who have the skills necessary to innovate.
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I don't buy this. (a) There is a pleasure in reusing/repurposing items that has nothing to do with saving money. (b) Not everything you want can be bought, and even if it can, good luck finding it! (Amazon search is REALLY bad for unorthodox items).
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Not really. You can't consider it in isolation unless you actually enjoy it. Your time may be worth far more doing other stuff. Comparative advantage matters.
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