cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/49049735
Repair cafes are great for getting appliances fixed. But I think they could improve from volunteers just doing the work to a more instructional format. It’s great that you can watch them work and ask questions. It’s almost a teachng experience in that regard, but teaching is merely incidental. The repairer probes around with the DMM¹ quickly because they want to get answers quickly. Understandably so, as there is usually a line of people waiting to get stuff repaired. They don’t generally have time to explain everything.
But what if instruction were part of the goal? I would like to hang out in the workshop and watch other repair jobs and ask questions. But I get the feeling I would be in their way and slow them down. It feels like it would be unwelcome.
In principle, they could have one repairer who welcomes an audience where he describes his every move. He works slower, but ~5 or so people could learn from it. It could even be recorded and posted on peertube (not Youtube!).
Repair cafes do not accept large appliances because they are working out of classrooms and community centers on weekends, which don’t accommodate bulky things. So I have a broken refrigerator and washing machine that will not get repaired. In principle, a repairer could have a planned session and meet “students” outside to demonstrate and teach large appliance repair.
¹ digital multimeter
But… I don’t want to do everything in my life myself. And this kinda thing is out there
That’s not at odds w/what I’m saying. The hands-off consumers can coexist with hands-on consumers.
I was rather unclear, sorry. Isn’t this already a thing? To my knowledge there’s just less of a demand for learning this stuff
I think it’s one of those things where both should exist in enough abundance that people can get their needs met, whether that means learning or getting things sorted.
It has to be said that the general shabbiness of consumer grade appliances is not helping - things need to be built so that it is possible to buy things for life.
Ye, unfortunately a lot of manufacturers just focus on selling more rather than better products
I think if you ask them, they will explain a bit too. But the fact is, not everyone is made out to repair stuff. Some just don’t “see” it, others lack an true interest, and that’s just fine. Bottom line is things get repaid instead of simply wasted and replaced.
I think if you ask them, they will explain a bit too
Yes but that’s ad hoc and generally limited to what I spontaneously bring them.
I’m saying they could get more leverage out of the movement if they say something like: “on date X, we are teaching refrigerator repair in the parking lot. Bring your broken fridge or just yourself.”
But the fact is, not everyone is made out to repair stuff. Some just don’t “see” it, others lack an true interest, and that’s just fine. Bottom line is things get repaid instead of simply wasted and replaced.
Indeed, I’ve noticed many consumers do not take an interest in learning. I have no issue w/that. The goal is only to save appliances from e-waste. But I’m saying they could save more from being wasted by having training sessions too.
the goal is only to save appliances from e-waste.
Apparently I talk a lot about my repairs and renovations. Just got an app from a co-worker who is on a holiday “I got two identical appliances here that don’t work. I Almost took them to recycling when it hit me : I wanna bet you ‘wanna have a word or two’ with them before that happens”
I’m saying they could get more leverage out of the movement if they say something like: “on date X, we are teaching refrigerator repair in the parking lot. Bring your broken fridge or just yourself.”
That opens them up to liability though. If someone tries to fix their own fridge after watching the repair cafe, and gets injured or burns down their home, they could say that they weren’t taught properly.
On top of that, they probably wouldn’t be able to teach you to fix every problem, just the problem that the broken fridge has on the day. If they teach you how to fix the thermostat, that won’t help if you get a coolant leak.
The process ATM already requires signing a waiver. If you bring a toaster for repair, you first sign that you won’t hold them accountable if the repairer destroys it. What you’re talking about is an expansion of that. They probably would have to mention basic safety precautions but I don’t see that as a show-stopper, at least not in non-litigious parts of the world.
