Stop buying new stuff, says government advisor

BACKFRMTHEEDGE

zagubov wrote: »

I'm still running my PowerPC mac from way back when, Still runs dropbox in Tiger. The Office 2004's better than the Office 2008 it can also run (actually Word 5.1 was better than both!). Got all my music on it. Would like to run it for longer but can't stream telly on it (well it can but painfully, and it used to be excellent).

Hate hate hate upgrading as so many good old programmes stop running and nobody warns you.

My new lap top is the best I've ever had. It runs so so fast - so that gives me the gift of time...which is the best gift of all...I love microsoft 8 and my touch screen....really, you and I, we are living in different worlds....

shaggydoo

Oooo couldn't live without a tablet and a smart phone..... some people want to send us back to the dark age.

Graham_Devon

cepheus wrote: »

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

The title of the forum is Debate house prices and the economy.

This thread is very much linked to the economy, as buying and selling stuff is a major part of our economy.

paulsad

Just a few words of warning - washers/driers/dishwashers can be repaired yes but beware on taking these things apart the manufacturers tend to leave razor sharp edges on a lot of the metalwork inside, I've had many a nasty cut doing anything from broken catches to replacing motor bushes and bearings. You usually have to thread your hand/arm/wrist into awkward places containing hidden "surprises" - often you don't know youve been cut till you see blood everywhere.

prowla

cepheus wrote: »

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!

I know - it's a paradox.

Commerce is built around the need to sell new goods and some things even have deliberately built-in obsolescence, but it makes sense to save money by not buying things.

People need jobs to work, and many of those jobs come from selling things, so if we don't buy things then than impacts the jobs.

ukcarper

BACKFRMTHEEDGE wrote: »

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...

I'm afraid that's where your wrong turntables, amplifiers and speakers from 30 years or more ago can easily out perform a lot of todays music systems.

ess0two

paulsad wrote: »

Just a few words of warning - washers/driers/dishwashers can be repaired yes but beware on taking these things apart the manufacturers tend to leave razor sharp edges on a lot of the metalwork inside, I've had many a nasty cut doing anything from broken catches to replacing motor bushes and bearings. You usually have to thread your hand/arm/wrist into awkward places containing hidden "surprises" - often you don't know youve been cut till you see blood everywhere.

Most of the drums now have sealed bearings,its cheaper to buy a new machine than replace the full drum.

prowla

ukcarper wrote: »

I'm afraid that's where your wrong turntables, amplifiers and speakers from 30 years or more ago can easily out perform a lot of todays music systems.

My hi-fi is about to have a service, and then it'll last me plenty more years.

My CD player's transport broke, so I opened it up and fitted a replacement. (I've got another spare one too.)

prowla

ess0two wrote: »

Most of the drums now have sealed bearings,its cheaper to buy a new machine than replace the full drum.

In some cases, and not in others.

I've replaced a belt on a tumble drier, and also (as mentioned before) the heating element.

You just need to take stock and decide whether it is repairable or not.

ukcarper

prowla wrote: »

I've still got my 90s (and 80s) British hi-fi, and I've no immediate plans to update, though perhaps the current streaming products would be a step forward. (I've almost reached the highest branch on the olive tree, but they've just gone silly and announced a £100k+ amplifier.)

My system is not as esoteric as yours but I went down the route of streaming a couple of years ago and am very pleased with sound quality compared to cd player.