Although I always get annoyed when stuff breaks, I also recognize that stuff breaking is part of the reality of life.
The thing that really annoys me in this day and age is the way the nature of something breaking down has changed, and the further implications for our lives.
It used to be that when something broke, you could go to your local hardware store, or electronics store, or auto parts store, buy some $5 parts, wire or switch, futz around with your broken stuff and then it worked again.
Not so much, anymore.
I'm sure we have come a long way in the sense that we have all this automation and computerization... but it also means that when something breaks we typically can't just repair anything... we have to replace it.
To wit, the electric rechargeable lawn mower we bought about two years ago — and it cost almost $800 — doesn't work any more, and it can't be repaired, only replaced.
Thankfully, we purchased the extended warranty.
Extended warranties used to be a bit of a joke; something to sell to "people who were bad at math."
In this day and age, they have actually come to make a lot of sense!
Earlier today, I was going to go to town... but our Jeep (2011) would not start. Not because there's anything mechanically wrong with it, but the tech that controls the "by wire" fuel control isn't working. So... a computer part has to be replaced, and that's likely to still cost about $500.00.
In most cases, it used to be you'd clean the fuel filter and be on your way. Not so much, anymore.
Thankfully our older truck — which is largely mechanical — still works fine, so I could take it to town. We'll probably hang onto that truck till the end of our days!
In some respects, I'm somewhat relieved that I am a bit of a Luddite, when it comes to tools... I have — and still use — a lot of hand tools for many projects I work on.
Quite a few of those tools are getting on towards being 100 years old!
But enough griping! I appreciate you stopping by my blog, and hope you have a great rest of your week!
How about YOU? Have you ever had to deal with broken devices, only to learn that your only option is to REPLACE them? DO leave me a comment — engagement matters! Communities are built because people INTERACT with each other through the content that's created! This is SOCIAL media, after all. So share your opinion, be part of the conversation! I do my best to answer all worthy comments!
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