Get it Fixed. Hooray for the Repair Manifesto!
Remember when our parents used to bring the television or the toaster to the repair shop? Wow, that’s ancient history. I don’t know that I’ve crossed a single repair shop in the last 10 years. 20 years maybe. Just like mending clothing might just be coming back in vogue (see article on Michael Swaine, mender to the people), so might be repairing our stuff. It makes so much sense given our financial and environmental concerns of the moment.
This Repair Manifesto, initiated by Platform21, is particularly charming because it will be evolving with the feedback, ideas and comments of contributors (like you & me):
Platform21’s Repair Manifesto opposes throwaway culture and celebrates repair as the new recycling. With our new project, Platform21 = Repairing, we seek to make repairing cool again – with your help. Let the manifesto inspire you, comment on it or add to it. Rediscover the joy of fixing things and share your most ingenious repair, your tips and your tricks. You could present them in person later, or see them on our website or in the exhibition that opens on Friday 13 March [2009]. This project is about sharing knowledge and skills. Together we can start a movement, one that isn’t new per se but has been forgotten. So if you know a way to save a product, let us know by emailing info [at] platform21.com.
Mine is “Repair is about cherishing”. I’m checking back again on March 13.
Via psfk.com
I love this. It’s how I was raised, and how I approach the things I own, but I’ve been surprised over and over again by how many people seem to be unfamiliar with the concept.
Yes, but trying to get anything repaired these days is a shock that may cause health issues… cellphones, cameras and the like are actually MUCH cheaper to replace. Boo Hoo.
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