Why do we waste so much consumer electronic goods?
Why do we waste so much consumer electronic goods?
Four of my computer monitors failed over the years. These are seventeen inch Dell monitors that I have purchased over the years with computers that eventually became obsolete, and no longer could be effectively upgraded. I have used these monitors on multiple computers and they have lasted a long time, even outlasting the computers.
Even the cases them selves had proprietary mounting layout for components. I have always been told to make do, with what resources you have and always be grateful. Ninety percent of the time I usually am.
Like most consumers in this market we have today, if I have some extra cash available and a component fails, I pull it out and buy a new one to replace it. At other times I am barley able to feed myself, that's when I go into scavenge mode. So when I have to fix electronic components that fail or some other appliance fails, I look for the reason it failed and try to fix it or patch it up long enough to get by until I am able to buy a new item to replace it.
Sometimes this is very hard to do when you do not know anything about a subject your looking to “DIY” or do- it-yourself repair. Does anyone use the information ware houses anymore? oh what were they called? Oh Libraries! Easier to find information on the internet through your “Smart” phone! Tell me if smart phones were so smart why do they get the auto complete wrong 90% of the time!
I guess it is true what they say, “garbage in garbage out”
Anyway I am rambling. With a bit of research I learned how to fix these monitors. Turns out these Dell monitors have a manufacturing flaw. The manufacturer used a very cheep variety of capacitors in the power section of the PCB or “printed circuit board”. My cost to fix all four monitors? SEVEN US DOLLARS! Imagine how many thousands of these monitor that could be in our landfills that could have been fixed for a few cents and some time?
Today we also have electronic waste recycle companies across the United States but it is up to the consumer to drop electronic goods off at their collection sites. A lot of people do not know about these companies and so toss their broken, non functional, Tired propitiatory consumer crap into the landfill.
Before you throw out that tired propitiatory consumer crap of yours, remember this article and think a moment to recall if you know of someone in your life that likes fixing things! Give it them! Or deposit it at the nearest electronics waste collection center and not your local landfill.
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A fair question and a fairly simple answer.
It is the concept of forced growth.
A company that is not growing it's production, profits, etc is considered unsuccessful.
A nation that is no growing its GDP is considered stagnant, even in recession.
These are, in my view, mere human constructs that mean nothing but keep a faulty system going. It is faulty by design, to maximise consumption. Garbage in, garbage out. Low quality has to be replaced sooner and even once good names in any sector, are often producing diminished quality nowadays. Then cheap, low-quality goods and services from China... sales tax is still levied on all.
It is a fiat economy based on fiat money based on a system that is perpetually creating debt.
Anyway - enough rambling. Hope this makes sense.
Upvoted, resteemed, followed.
I agree 100% so too few see that. Thank you for the comment, follow and upvote
Manufacturers are purposefully building devices that are not easy to repair and they make sure they are not too long-lasting. One one hand they want us to go back to the for repairs and then throw the one we have already bought away and buy a new one.
Both of those tactics are profitable for them so they keep doing it. And we prefer to have the latest thing and sometimes discard the old one before it has reached obsolescence just because having a better model feel good.
I like to imagine what a corporate board of directors meeting would be like if every consumer just woke up one day and stopped buying stuff. How much would they really lose in revenue in one week if everyone did that. its a nice thought. We the people (consumer) have the power to make or brake a company/corporation they have forgotten that. Thanks for your comment!
We have the power, but most of us lack the will power unfortunately...
That is so true.
Story of my life, was always taught to live within my means.
That is how is should be, that was how it use to be. Thanks for you comment!
I had the same experience with a 52 inch Samsung flat screen tv. After five years, it was taking longer and l o n g e r to turn on. After some research on-line, the suspect problem was the capacitors in the power supply. I got six of them for about $8, took the TV apart and the power board out, and replaced the big caps. The TV started instantly! That works well with the big parts, but the new surface mount components are extremely difficult to replace, even with a magnifying glass, the right tools, and a lot of experience. We've finally reached the "throw away" stage of manufacturers' nirvana!
Yeah, Most consumer electronics are like that. I have been noticing that it is mainly one type of cheep capacitors that every manufacture uses that is the cause of every consumer electronic malfunction. About the new surface mount electronics it is a pain but with practice they become replaceable also.
I miss the early days when you could usually tell what type component was bad because of the smell :)
Oh my I still remember vacuum tubes!
I remember the little 'ping' sounds some of them made as the filament warmed up as it began heating the room :) Kids don't know what they are missing.
Like getting your first telephone on a party line.