The author’s voice in this web content reflects on the significance of repair manuals in our relationship with technology and the changing landscape of repair practices. The content explores the historical and political implications of repair manuals, emphasizing the shift towards technical opacity and planned obsolescence in the 20th century. The discussion also touches on the rise of a repair movement, characterized by environmental conservation and anti-capitalist sentiments. The role of organizations and individuals in democratizing repair knowledge and advocating for the “right to repair” is highlighted. Additionally, the content sheds light on the diverse approaches to repair, from local repair cafes to transnational networks, underscoring the manual as a tool for empowerment and activism.
https://placesjournal.org/article/step-by-step-repair-manuals-political-ecology/