Advocacy & Safety - I can't afford my gasoline

Another good cartoon making fun of drivers. But bikes are NOT portrayed as a solution, only pushing your car down the road. Does make fun of the Hummer driver.



http://toccionline.kizash.com/movies/i_cant_afford_my_gasoline/

Great minds think alike ;)

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=138875

Another good cartoon making fun of drivers

How does all of this neato stuff you found on the internet relate to bikes?

Wait 'til Rita knocks the Texas refinaries offline!

$5.00 gas should stick it to the SUV's sumptin GOOD!

Wait 'til Rita knocks the Texas refinaries offline!
$5.00 gas should stick it to the SUV's sumptin GOOD!
Yep the gas futures are going wild! Let the dependantcy end. Now driving your suv to get a Starbuck coffee will cost just as much in gas as your Tall, double cap.

Wait 'til Rita knocks the Texas refinaries offline!

$5.00 gas should stick it to the SUV's sumptin GOOD!

It'll stick it to the low income wage earner even more. And won't it be a real chuckle for all the people displaced in Texas.

It'll stick it to the low income wage earner even more. And won't it be a real chuckle for all the people displaced in Texas.


Shhhh.....they're young, let them enjoy their delusions. It'll be that much more satisfying when they are shocked at the huge price increase in their granola and bike parts.

That was hilarious - thanks for sharing!

Shhhh.....they're young, let them enjoy their delusions. It'll be that much more satisfying when they are shocked at the huge price increase in their granola and bike parts.

Yes, the only thing more fun than making fun of gas guzzlers is making fun of the fun makers. :fight: :rolleyes: :D

Seriously, as mentioned before, gas price is not the only factor in determining the cost of necessarily transported goods.

Anyhow, as much as I like to see SUV drivers squirm, it is unfortunate that a rise in gas prices is effectively a regressive tax.

Edit: figured the OP was a repost, because I've seen that thing somewhere before. Still funny!

Shhhh.....they're young, let them enjoy their delusions. It'll be that much more satisfying when they are shocked at the huge price increase in their granola and bike parts.

I realized something while standing in the cross-trees of a 112 y/o schooner in New York harbor last Saturday. I was watching some moron speed around in a cigarette boat, a boat in which all you can do is speed around and waste gas. You can't carry anything you can't have a cook out you can't do anything but look like a complete selfish ass especially amongst gorgeous wooden and steel sailing work boats.

My epiphany was that even if gas costs the magic $10 a gallon, there will still be the morons in their cigarette boats, in their useless hummers etc. Therefor I am not encouraged that high prices will discourage petrol use. BUT you 'old timers' can you explain why you think that a $5 increase in fuel will drastically effect my granola and bike part prices? Even a hundred dollars over several tons of shipped crap, how much could that effect the final price?

Wow, I find I actually WANT to here what Roughstuff has to say about this.

Therefor I am not encouraged that high prices will discourage petrol use. BUT you 'old timers' can you explain why you think that a $5 increase in fuel will drastically effect my granola and bike part prices? Even a hundred dollars over several tons of shipped crap, how much could that effect the final price?

The idiot in the Ciggie Boat, who by the way owns the Granola Bar Company, needs to pay for his gas somehow, right?

I am serious Dob, how does a 100 dollar increase in expense, raise the price noticeably of my granola? The cost of living is going to go up that much?

Anyhow, as much as I like to see SUV drivers squirm, it is unfortunate that a rise in gas prices is effectively a regressive tax.

C'mon now... ALL INFLATION is "regressive".
And it's about time we pay the TRUE cost of gasoline - it should NEVER have been cheaper then milk.

BUT you 'old timers' can you explain why you think that a $5 increase in fuel will drastically effect my granola and bike part prices? Even a hundred dollars over several tons of shipped crap, how much could that effect the final price?

Wow, I find I actually WANT to here what Roughstuff has to say about this.

Because the economy is far more connected than just X --> Y. Take a granola bar. I like Oats 'N Honey. First there are the ingredients, like the oats. A farmer has to grow these oats. It takes machinery to run to cultivate/maintain/harvest, etc the oats. That machinery uses oil to run, etc. Then it is transported to some middleman, add on some extra cost. Then its goes to Nature Valley processing, add some extra cost. Nature Valley makes it into a granola bar. However, higher energy prices means that the electricity to run thier plant costs more. Add some extra cost. Now they transport it to a wholesaler, more money. Then it goes to the supermarket. More transportation cost. The supermarket is a huge user of electricity. Costs go up there. In the end, you granola bars may cost 10-20 cents more due to increased transportation costs, increased electricity costs, increased production costs.

Now, your 10-20 cents for granola bars is applied to every single thing in your grocery basket. Say you have 40 items. So that's $4 - $8 for the week. Also, you spent 50 cents more on gasoline getting to the store. Now, there are say 2000 shoppers per store per day so that's $80,000 - $160,000. Now multiply that across the US for every store, every day and it starts to add up.

So what happens then? Goods that you buy cost more than they did before. That means, unless you got a raise, the money you have buys less than it did before. (Inceidentally, this is why the Fed continues to raise the federal funds rate) If you can buy less things then the suppliers of ALL products in the US are competing for a smaller share of the pie. So now maybe you have to pick and choose what you are going to spend your money on this week. You need groceries, forget the new tires for your car. So now, people aren't buying as much and some of the more dicretionary goods don't get bought and there's not enough work at the tire factory because their prices are too high because the energy costs of making a tire has gone through the roof. So now they close the plant and 500 workers lose their jobs.

Now we have the prospects of inflation and a drag on the economy because everything costs more. Economic slow downs can lead to lost jobs, lower wages, etc.

But at least those a-holes driving an SUV learned their lesson.....

Now, I am not saying all of this is happening today, but an impact of oil prices (or any other significant event) ripples through our economy much more than subtley than just "driving to work costs more now". So even if you are a die-hard bike commuter, oil prices most certainly still have an effect you. Hell, your Birkenstocks probably cost more now too, is that what you want???? :)

BUT you 'old timers' can you explain why you think that a $5 increase in fuel will drastically effect my granola and bike part prices? Even a hundred dollars over several tons of shipped crap, how much could that effect the final price?



What Dobber said...and it's not old timers, it's simple life experience that delivers us from a Utopian view.

Now, since you stayed with my granola and bike parts theme:

Granola is made of oats and other natural ingredients. Oats have to be planted, tended to, and harvested. Each of these steps, to be done efficiently, uses farm implements, moved around by petroleum fueled tractors. Then the product has to be processed and transported to a large shipping facility, which requires electricity (where does electricity come from?) and fuel. Then it is most likely moved by railroad, which requires diesel fuel. Then it arrives at the plant where it is joined by other ingredients which have arrived at this destination by similar means. The plant mixes and processes and bakes and packages the product. Can you guess what the root source of energy for carrying out all of these operations is? Then the finished product is shipped to your grocery store via a couple of more warehouses along the way.

Besides there being many steps of transportation involved, and all the energy required to power the processes, there are people required along the way. The vast majority of these people don't live where they work, so they need to commute, and most commute by some means that use petroleum products. They are going to demand more money in the workplace so that they can continue to commute. The grocery store has lighting and other energy requirements, as well as the same personnel demands.

Do I even need to go into bike parts, or is that enough?

Bottom line is that within about 100 years we have become completely dependent on oil. Some of it's use is certainly frivolous, but since in the U.S., motor fuel accounts for approximately 45% of total oil consumption, it's reasonably safe to say that the guy in the cigarette boat really isn't making that big of a dent. Per capita, yes, but not in the big picture. Regardless of your own personal consumption, increased oil prices mean inflation for everyone. Those driving fuel inefficient vehicles may feel it the most per gallon, but they are also more likely to be able to absorb the costs. Do you really think that anyone that cares so little for how they spend their money (witness the $800 a month payment on his H2) is going to be concerned about spending an extra $50 a week in gas? But how about the single mom driving her 1991 Buick with 135K miles on it that she paid $1000 for and uses it to commute 35 miles to work each day because she can't afford the rent on a place close into town? She's going to feel it.

To simplify: Rise in cost of fuel = inflation. Wealthy people feel inflation much less than poor people. Wealthy people can better afford increases in gasoline prices than poor people. Poor people are going to be more adversely effected by increases in gasoline costs than wealthy people, but everyone will feel it.

wow...those last two posts are great.
It's refreshing to see some common sense, and not the usual short sightedness anti vehicle posts usually seen. Some people will always afford the gas...get over it.
It's the people barely making a living that will be hurt the most.

Thanks Corn and Twahl, I appreciate your posts, that is what I was asking for. I am digesting them now.

What irks me is the disparity of energy use in this country...i can't quote the stats, but americans are the most conspicious consumers on the planet and that includes our unecessarily high per capita fossil fuel consumption. Don't we use 7 times the gasoline per person versus the next most gas guzzling country out there?

Corn, Twahl, excellent portrayal of supply side inflation in a free market economy.


Waste abounds in every aspect of american life, whats a conservationist to do?

Another way, if possible, to see the effects of oil prices on the economy is to see if you can find a two year old price to ship something UPS. Then find out what it would cost to ship that same item today. Find out what their current "surcharge" is. My local bike shop gets almost all it's stock from it's suppliers when the big brown truck backs up to the door.

I don't have a problem with paying more for products, esp. if it pays higher wages to deserveing employees. Seems that higher fuel costs will hurt wages. I can't understand how a company can sell a hamburger for a dollar etc and still pay reasonable wages and/or not take shortcuts for socially responsible requirements. I don't have a problem paying more for what I need; but I don't have a family to support either. This goes two ways: I also don't have the joy of having a family, if I did, I would expect burdens specific to having a family.

I guess the short of it is, that given the US' pathetic addiction to oil, with soccer moms or delivery trucks, the oil problem, thereby the economy is going to get worse before it gets better.

ya ya oil goes up we are all screwed. I don't buy it. If the price of oil goes up biking me is still better than the bizaro world version of me who drives 15 miles round trip to work and drives to the store and has to drive to the health club to work off all the beer somehow. Repeat I will be ahead. The further the price of oil goes up the further I will be ahead.

This is true for anyone, take their biking version v. their car version, the biking version will be ahead, and will pull further ahead as the price of oil goes up.

Also: the price of oil would have to go up quite a bit for a years worth of bike parts to be anywhere near a years worth of car parts.

So in conclusion I will continue to chuckle as I see people complain about the price of gas yet keep driving the same old gm suv and keep towing their boat along with them on vacation.

To simplify: Rise in cost of fuel = inflation. Wealthy people feel inflation much less than poor people. Wealthy people can better afford increases in gasoline prices than poor people. Poor people are going to be more adversely effected by increases in gasoline costs than wealthy people, but everyone will feel it.I'm sorry, but the idea that we have to continue our wasteful lifestyle because the poor will get hurt most is just wrong, wrong, wrong. The poor are the ones who will suffer most from the effects of global warming, as we've seen in New Orleans. The poor are the ones who will be drafted to fight for oil. And the poor are the ones who will benefit most from the mass transit systems that will be developed as prices continue upward.

I came up during the 70s and saw that many of the changes that higher oil prices forced on us were for the good: Alternative fueled vehicles; higher MPG vehicles; alternative energy development; mass transit systems rebuilt; carpooling encouraged; national speed limit; and bike lanes built.

Higher prices will force us to be more conservative with oil which in turn will allow there to be enough oil at reasonable prices for agriculture and manufacturing. Wasting oil on large SUVS and Hummers contributes *nothing* to productivity.

So count me with the young'ens -- stick it to the conscienceless people in the SUVs.

I'm sorry, but the idea that we have to continue our wasteful lifestyle because the poor will get hurt most is just wrong, wrong, wrong. The poor are the ones who will suffer most from the effects of global warming, as we've seen in New Orleans. The poor are the ones who will be drafted to fight for oil. And the poor are the ones who will benefit most from the mass transit systems that will be developed as prices continue upward.

I came up during the 70s and saw that many of the changes that higher oil prices forced on us were for the good: Alternative fueled vehicles; higher MPG vehicles; alternative energy development; mass transit systems rebuilt; carpooling encouraged; national speed limit; and bike lanes built.

Higher prices will force us to be more conservative with oil which in turn will allow there to be enough oil at reasonable prices for agriculture and manufacturing. Wasting oil on large SUVS and Hummers contributes *nothing* to productivity.

So count me with the young'ens -- stick it to the conscienceless people in the SUVs.

Like you said....

I came of age in the 70's too and remember how cycling took off then when gas prices shot up.
Even though high energy prices will cause everything else to go up, people who depend less on cars will always be ahead of the game. The higher the price of gas, the more pay back I get when I bike to the store instead of drive. And I lived 25 years with the 55 mph speed limit, no problem, despite Sammy's song.

I'm sorry, but the idea that we have to continue our wasteful lifestyle because the poor will get hurt most is just wrong, wrong, wrong. The poor are the ones who will suffer most from the effects of global warming, as we've seen in New Orleans. .

I suppose you believe the hurricanes were the result of global warming?
Duh......

I believe the severity of the hurricanes and future storms, are a result of global warming.

What caused the hurricane of Galveston in the early 1900's?

What caused the hurricane of Galveston in the early 1900's?

Is this a trick question?

What caused the hurricane of Galveston in the early 1900's?

You are just being retorically argumentitave. No scientist will ever be able to provide a direct link between global warming and individual storms or seasons. But the trend is what's important. It's just like trying to prove that smoking causes lung cancer, some smokers live to an old age, while some non-smokers get lung cancer.

There are many reasons to curtail the use of fossil fuels and to take a path to renewable energy.

climatologists are in general agreement that the rise of ocean temperatures is influencing storm patterns across the globe. The fact there has been 3 category five hurricanes this year, with 3 months to go is an indicator to the scientists warmer ocean temps DO influence storm cycles. Last night some NOAA folks were getting grilled by John Chancellor, and NOAA seems to thinks so anyway.

Additionally, futurists forecast a 50cm rise in ocean height will adversely affect the poorest populations that live at or around sea level. Sure, some wealthy barrier island condo owners will get affected here, but in Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia or the Maldives, there's the coastal poor that will be adversely affected by global warming.

What caused the hurricane of Galveston in the early 1900's?

A devastating hurricane 105 years ago vs two Cat 5s in a month, in the same area?

Severity. Its supposed to make you wonder.

A devastating hurricane 105 years ago vs two Cat 5s in a month, in the same area?

Severity. Its supposed to make you wonder.


It remains to be seen if it will be a cat 5 in that exact same area.

climatologists are in general agreement that the rise of ocean temperatures is influencing storm patterns across the globe. The fact there has been 3 category five hurricanes this year, with 3 months to go is an indicator to the scientists warmer ocean temps DO influence storm cycles. Last night some NOAA folks were getting grilled by John Chancellor, and NOAA seems to thinks so anyway.

Additionally, futurists forecast a 50cm rise in ocean height will adversely affect the poorest populations that live at or around sea level. Sure, some wealthy barrier island condo owners will get affected here, but in Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia or the Maldives, there's the coastal poor that will be adversely affected by global warming.



you're right on all accounts. given recent data, the severity of storms appears to be higher than in the past, but we won't be able to 'prove' anything until 30 or 40 years down the road, when we can plot hurricane abundancy/strength and notice a trend.

Higher petrol price is the only way to make Americans change their attitude on oil consumption. Like others have said here, higher petrol prices will effect everyone not just SUV's drivers. Most of our electricity comes from coal not oil, but it still takes diesel buring machines to harvest the coal.

Higher petrol prices will make Americans drive less using less petrol saving money. People will have to drive more efficient(smaller cc) cars/motorcycle. A 250cc motorcycle is adequete, getting about 60-80mpg depending on hard you ride. 50cc scooters will become more popular too. Higher petrol prices will then make our foreign oil import go down, less American money will then trickle down to terrorist.

The next step have the federal government make huge energy investment into renewable energy. They need to build giant offshore/onshore wind, solar in desert regions, biogas(energy from dung), sun thermal(sun boils water to spin turbines), and hydroelectricy there are more types of renewable energy too but these are the mains ones. Currently ethanol takes more energy to produce it but if the energy used to produce it was clean then it would be practical. INTER is the magic bullet we all want though: http://www.iter.org/ but this won't come for another 50-100 years even longer who knows. All of this renewable energy shift will create lots of jobs.

Petroleum imports cost us over $3 billion a week—that’s money that could be used to fuel our own economy. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/why.shtml

The power is yours
-Captain Planet

I just read a rather horrifying story in the news, people trying to get out of Galveston Houston etc are going about 6 miles in 4 hours etc., and running out of gas. I've been in jams like that out in the boonies in AZ, scary if you don't have a full tank and scary if you do - I've generally pulled off somewhere and waited it out, it'll clear by midnight lol. But in TX those jams are not clearing, and a bicycle can travel at light speed compared to driving, in fact they seem to be traveling a bit slower than walking.

I think price increases will reduce some consumption, but I think the government can and should implement rules to force the issue as well. i.e. pay a premium tax for a high horsepower or over weight vehicle. (flinches for the Neocon dagger in back)

The US govt has to want to push reform, but this admin. wants to push consumption. I guess we are stuck until the terrorists, the huge storms or our own fear will force a change.

I realized something while standing in the cross-trees of a 112 y/o schooner in New York harbor last Saturday. I was watching some moron speed around in a cigarette boat, a boat in which all you can do is speed around and waste gas. You can't carry anything you can't have a cook out you can't do anything but look like a complete selfish ass especially amongst gorgeous wooden and steel sailing work boats.

My epiphany was that even if gas costs the magic $10 a gallon, there will still be the morons in their cigarette boats, in their useless hummers etc. Therefor I am not encouraged that high prices will discourage petrol use. BUT you 'old timers' can you explain why you think that a $5 increase in fuel will drastically effect my granola and bike part prices? Even a hundred dollars over several tons of shipped crap, how much could that effect the final price?

Wow, I find I actually WANT to here what Roughstuff has to say about this.

Sure, I can tell you exactly how increases in fuel will affect what you buy. Last year, it cost about $0.09 per pound to ship product from the midwest to the west coast (shipped in container-load quantities of about 42,000 lbs per load). Today, that price is about $0.15/lb. The shipping cost goes directly into the price that you pay for products.

I wish I could say that transportation costs are proportional to fuel increases, but that is usually not the case. Recently, it seems that freight charges are outpacing fuel costs. It is difficult to even get firm freight quotes these days. Freight costs go up when fuel costs increase, but they do not come down when fuel prices come down.

The future of the drive up lifestyle.


http://www.kunstler.com/eyesore_200509.jpg

The future of the drive up lifestyle.


http://www.kunstler.com/eyesore_200509.jpg

Yeh, we can all have a healthier life style by walking to MacDonalds for our Triple-Cheese-Bigmac-MegaMeal :D

I just read a rather horrifying story in the news, people trying to get out of Galveston Houston etc are going about 6 miles in 4 hours etc., and running out of gas. I've been in jams like that out in the boonies in AZ, scary if you don't have a full tank and scary if you do - I've generally pulled off somewhere and waited it out, it'll clear by midnight lol. But in TX those jams are not clearing, and a bicycle can travel at light speed compared to driving, in fact they seem to be traveling a bit slower than walking.

That is an interesting dilemma. A disaster hits a city and everybody tries to flee at once. No time to re-fill the gas tank. While waiting in traffic, cars run out of gas. Then, the stalled cars further compound the traffic problem.

About a year ago, I developed an evacuation plan for my family. I checked the nuclear power plant locations and the predominant wind directions for the various times of year and calculated the estimated spread of radioactive material and the time to get near our house. I also considered what to do if a dirty bomb was blasted in our state. I concluded that, for the most part, automobile evacuation would be futile even with a full tank of gas. Bicycle transport MIGHT work, but it would be difficult to imagine the pandemomium at the time.

My conclusion was that for the most part, you are better off staying where you are and don't panic.

The future of the drive up lifestyle.


http://www.kunstler.com/eyesore_200509.jpg


That picture makes me giddy. :)

So, why not add a $1.00-3.00 tax per gallon? All money goes to non petrol energy research?
The rich SUV driver will pay the most.

Or am I being idealistic?

CE

All ready being done in Europe. Here there is talk of recinding the fuel tax.

So, why not add a $1.00-3.00 tax per gallon? All money goes to non petrol energy research?
The rich SUV driver will pay the most.

Or am I being idealistic?

CE


How does that single out the rich SUV driver? Everybodys paying it, those that can least afford it are hurt far worse than then the well off. Making a choice between a new dvd player and gasing up the road-pig isn't quite the same as the food - gas decision.

I believe the severity of the hurricanes and future storms, are a result of global warming.
Definatly global warming affects sea level and therefore flood surrges. The government says:
1 Gallon = 124,000 Btu

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/science/energy_calculator.html

Funny how the American Petroleum Institute's front page features a happy kid on a bike,

http://api-ec.api.org/frontpage.cfm

And then goes on to teach a lot of one-sided bunk about how petroleum is the savior of the free world.

http://api-ec.api.org/class/index.cfm?bitmask=001006000000000000

At least there are some voices of reason--
Americans use about 226 million gallons of gasoline each day or 82 billion gallons per year, about 60% of the world’s oil supply.

http://www.harrisonburg.k12.va.us/TSA/CP_2001/transportation.htm

I guess I cuuld be considered one of the "Old Foggies"! hehe

I do remember the oil embargos, gas prices going up, and people cutting back on lot's of things, not just gas. The facts are that we are a wastefull nation. Does anyone deny this? Now the true questions are, how can YOU become more efficient and less wastfull? Can you force your neibours to become more efficent? How will you and your family cope with the rise in energy prices?

I read in our local paper that, adjusted for inflation, gas prices will have to climb to $5.17 a gallon to equal the price I was paying in 1981. Truth be told, citizens under the age of around 30 ish have never seen the country go into a true long recession, and have no idea what they are wishing on the people. Gasoline cost is only about 6% of the total energy expenses we pay on a personal level and most americans haven't reduced there comsumption. My family burned wood for heat during this time, I bet I could save all the paper products that go out in my garbage every year and it would just about heat my home. How about we make energy from the stuff we put into landfills now?

There are many, many alternate sources of power that can be developed. When the price of oil goes up enough we will develop them. I don't think we will ever see horse and buggy days again. I do think the future world would be as different for me, as today would be for my great-great grandfather. It's just that our minds are so developed around petrol based energy sources.

many landfills already have ways of collecting the flammable gasses formed when the garbage decomposes, and pipes that gas off to local power plants.

what we need is an end to our "disposable" society....we never fix stuff, just replace...this also causes waste, and uses lots of fuel....from shipping, all the way to the garbage truck. A long time ago, I learned that repaing thing is not just a good cost-saving measure, but also better from a waste perspective....less waste, less fuel used to cart it off.

I believe the severity of the hurricanes and future storms, are a result of global warming.

Well, your belief is common, but it's unjustified. It's not even clear that hurricanes are getting more severe as time goes by, never mind what the cause of such increased severity might be.

True, more damage is done in monetary terms now than ever before by hurricanes, even adjusting for inflation. That is because more people are living on the coast than ever before. It's not evidence that hurricanes are becoming more destructive in themselves.

http://www.techcentralstation.com/093005E.html

How is it unjustified? One degree warming days and there is a difference in water level and water temp. I believe it is related, google it.

Yes, there are differences due to where people live, but man's effect on nature, there by the resulting weather, is plain to see.

How does that single out the rich SUV driver? Everybodys paying it, those that can least afford it are hurt far worse than then the well off. Making a choice between a new dvd player and gasing up the road-pig isn't quite the same as the food - gas decision.

OR....Those not so well off could try living within their means, energy-wise. Living energy wise would involve driving affordable high mpg cars and using bicycles (cycling for work and chores would also improve health, lessening the poors health costs).

There are ways to live good without guzzling gas, it's not nessesary as you imply.

What we need is an end to our "disposable" society....we never fix stuff, just replace...this also causes waste, and uses lots of fuel....from shipping, all the way to the garbage truck. A long time ago, I learned that repaing thing is not just a good cost-saving measure, but also better from a waste perspective....less waste, less fuel used to cart it off.

When people throw things out, it is because it is cheaper to replace them than it is to repair them. This represents that the resource of People's Time is more valuable than the resource of Finished Goods. The only way this will change is if disposal fees increase or finished goods become more expensive.

If it costs more in time (wages x hours) than it would to replace a finished good, it makes sense to replace it. If it costs more in dollars to have someone fix your VCR than it does to buy a new one with better features and a smaller footprint, why would anyone get their VCR repaired?

Personally, I choose to repair many things because they either fall within my skill set to repair, or it is more practical. This weekend, I fixed a loose chair leg. It would have been nearly impossible to find a replacement, and to purchase a table-and-chairs which would meet my wife's requirements would have cost a great deal. It made financial sense for me to repair the chair leg.

That's exactly the disposable society I was talking about...the thing is those electronic items are not made to be repaired....they are made to be replaced. The obscene cost of repair parts is just another tool to getting their latest product out the door.

By creating cheap goods and "fad" goods when we could have created goods of exceptional quality and function, we are creating a throw-away society.

As for repair...I'm pretty much capable of fixing anything in a home..so it's no problem. Actually I prefer repairing things since that means I don't have to take the time to go shopping for a new item, then find out how it's different from the one I could have repaired.


The problem with this is it creates excessive waste, and consumes far more resources than would buying a capacitor, fuse, or whatever. (one of the most common component failures in electronics over 10 years old is capacitor failure...and caps are DIRT cheap).