Stop buying new stuff, says government advisor

lostinrates

cepheus wrote: »

BTW The link with the forum title 'debate house prices and the economy' is very tenuous. Is it an excuse for another discussion time thread, or is this one more troll free, barring the obvious offenders?

I disagree. Its key to economy, how we are now, if its sustainable, advisable and in our best interests.

Its also one of the few threads I 've been interested in for a while

cepheus

Perhaps I have misinterpreted the forum title, perhaps should it just say economy. House prices is just a small subset of the economy.

As many of you know we set up the Debate House Prices, the Economy & Recession board recently to allow discussion without affecting the original practical focus of House Buying, Renting and Selling board

grizzly1911

prowla wrote: »

This week I've given away some computer CPUs left over from upgrades, and a suitcase of old computer CDs.

I'm just about to head out and pick up a sleeping bag and a quilt.

We have used it for stuff in good order that we no longer need or have upgraded for a valid reason.

Mattresses (4X), tent, electrical stuff including a 80s AKAI hifi that went to a pensioners dance club. Often get many takers. A heavy duty petrol flymo (not running) I tried to get hold of was over subscribed something like 10x.

Our coordinator is a stickler for wording your offer in a precise format which can be a bit of a pain to remember if you don't use it regularly. You can't advertise more of the same/similar item in quick succession either.

IronWolf

I hate throwing anything electrical away. my laptop is a specially made one and easy to repair, in fact I just had the hard drive replaced a few days ago.

I always make sure to buy quality when Im buying things, I am prepared to pay more up front if it means it will last a long time. I bought an £80 German frying pan that doesnt lose its nonstick even if scratched. Im expecting that thing to last me 30 years at least, it has a 25 year manufacturers guarantee.

kabayiri

prowla wrote: »

Nobody is being forced to dump XP though; it's a lifestyle choice to move to a newer release (I don't say upgrade, because the latest release of Windows is a backward step).

And further, in the context of money saving, you can move to a free OS if you choose.

I would agree in the case of individuals.

However, with companies they sometimes rely on mission critical applications. Upgrading from XP means regression testing the entire suite. It's not a trivial cost issue.

They can't stay on XP though because it's an unsupported platform. They could not guarantee any level of support.

kabayiri

lostinrates wrote: »

I disagree. Its key to economy, how we are now, if its sustainable, advisable and in our best interests.

Its also one of the few threads I 've been interested in for a while

I'm not sure how I can see our economy competing on conventional consumerist lines. Will it only be a matter of time before most conventional cars are built in China or Korea too? It seems everything is being defined by cost.

Good design practice can make most things modular and upgradeable and repairable if there is an economic driver for doing so.

Loughton_Monkey

kabayiri wrote: »

I'm not sure how I can see our economy competing on conventional consumerist lines......

... isn't that because it doesn't?

Technically the UK economy does 'compete' conventionally in the world economy, and overall loses every month. Hence the negative balance of trade.

Within the UK economy itself, there is (generally speaking) conventional consumerist competition, and there are winners and losers.

If you imagine there were no international trade, then the UK economy would be like a glass. It would fill up due to our labour and continual production of 'stuff', but also it would empty due to continual consumption of 'stuff'. As we get more productive and clever, the glass has tended to get fuller and fuller most of the time.

It's those little 'holes' in the bottom - one pumping stuff in, and the other pumping stuff out - that tend to empty the glass. At least it means we get the desired mix of 'stuff', but at considerable cost to the economy.

prowla

kabayiri wrote: »

I would agree in the case of individuals.

However, with companies they sometimes rely on mission critical applications. Upgrading from XP means regression testing the entire suite. It's not a trivial cost issue.

They can't stay on XP though because it's an unsupported platform. They could not guarantee any level of support.

Sure.

But companies generally buy kit on a 3 (or 5) year depreciation plan, so the cost of the equipment is written off (and typically recycled).

Of course, keeping up with technology (and business needs and legislation) is like painting the Forth bridge.

cepheus

I'm often surprised at how much support there is for this most sustainable of Green concepts amongst the wider public. Or perhaps it's because it's a money saving site?

The reason the concept isn't vigorously pursued by governments is because recycling/repairing would be disastrous for GDP, growth and work hours/jobs.

We make more stuff to gain higher wages, why do we need higher wages, to buy more stuff! So to increase theoretical wealth you encourage waste! The throwaway society epitomises how brainwashed we have become.

However, are you really sure you approve of this because it goes against the economic/political views I hear on here. Would you really take a cut in wages and hours if someone suddenly convinced you there is no benefit in buying the latest gadget, a new car, or latest fashion etc.

Personally I live well below my means, mainly by making stuff last and not shopping unnecessarily, and ignoring the Jones'. However, if everyone did this it surely would be disastrous for the economy, if not our access to what we need. Oh and as a bonus it could save the environment!

BACKFRMTHEEDGE

kabayiri wrote: »

And the counter to that. I kept a piece of hifi which was 30 years old constantly up to date. I sold it recently for *more* money than I paid for it 30 years ago, and it performed flawlessly and still does.

Of course, it was British made and quality.

There are British turntables designed in the 50s and 60s which are in such demand now they fetch extreme prices, four figures is not uncommon.

There is always a different way. A company could make a lucrative business out of service and repair. A company like Quad used to pride itself on stocking parts for every amplifier it has ever made, and it's been around for decades.

We will soon be charged *more* for chucking something away than for buying it if we continue consuming landfill sites.

That's 'cos that stuff has nostalgia value, not because it's any good! A 30 year old hifi cannot compete on sound with today's equipment.

My father gave me some old Pifco xmas lights (cinderalla)from the 70s - looked them up on e bay - people pay over £100 for them. Why? Nostalgia value. There are plenty of lights around today that are much better.

No-one in their right mind would keep white goods, old tellys, sound systems, DVD players, sofas, boring cars, etc just in case they had nostalgia value in the furure - they'd end up with a house like a junk shop!

Technology moves on.....and a good time to catch up with that technological advance is at the point that something breaks...