Minus 9 here today! I've been driving in snow and ice and definitely appreciate the standard winter tyres! Glad that Storm Darragh didn't do you any damage.
I must admit that I have lost many hours to Big Jet TV over the years... I never really interrogated why I find it so therapeutic, but I think you have hit the nail on the head there, Maura. The comfort of seeing an expert at work, just when you need them most. Fabulous post. :)
Aw, thanks Sarah! I sampled the recording of the Storm Darragh landings and I was fascinated by my enjoyment of what is a kind of repetitive format but with expert and fun commentary. I was heartened see the friendly banter in the comments... including people randomly gifting memberships to other viewers. I can very much see the appeal of this channel. When life is crazy you can put this on and see efficency in action and hear from real world people. It's quite reassuring!
Plus at one point there was a kid and his Mom watching as his Dad landed the plane and it was a terribly sweet moment. 😀
I remember the sense of wonder I felt while watching people repair shoes, cars, radios, and bicycles, to name a few. Wonder in their skill (even if it wasn't much, still more than mine) and also at the glimpse into the inner workings of a thing. I'm also reminded of the movie 'Wall-e' which I watched with my children. The humans in the film are inactive, compliant and passive. They didn't set out with that intent but were trained to be that way over time. Eventually, they take ownership of their purpose...
Thanks for this article. It was a revelation. I wasn't aware of the Right to Repair. Also a reminder to think and then think again before making the tiny decisions that shape the world.
Thanks for the lovely comment, Anthony. Yes, there's a wonder in watching a skilled person use their craft. The Right to Repair is a terrific principle. We tend to fix things in my house if at all possible (but not always).
Great piece as always! This one resonated strongly with my husband and I. We bought a new car back in 2019 with a 3 month warranty. Just after we passed the 3 year mark, it broke down and needed 2 basic parts. One part took 6 months to locate. The second, a timing chain and one which should be easy to get hold of was impossible to find anywhere. We searched here, in the UK and on European sites. We wound up having to sell a 4 year old car for scrap! Not the most exciting story to be fair but when you sit back and take stock of the environmental impact of this practice—the obsoletism coupled with the move away from a culture of mend and maintain—in conjunction with the pressure on consumers to make more sustainable choices...well, something has to change. Thanks for the information on the Right to Repair movement. Will certainly check it out.
Very sorry to hear your story, how frustrating! Sadly, new cars (especially electric) are often ridiculously expensive to repair. I feel your pain. Once you need to replace parts and throw in labour... it's expensive! I know from experience!
Minus 9 here today! I've been driving in snow and ice and definitely appreciate the standard winter tyres! Glad that Storm Darragh didn't do you any damage.
Yes, when you have the proper gear the weather & terrain isn't as difficult to navigate. Plus, you're now living in Narnia! Have fun and stay warm!
I must admit that I have lost many hours to Big Jet TV over the years... I never really interrogated why I find it so therapeutic, but I think you have hit the nail on the head there, Maura. The comfort of seeing an expert at work, just when you need them most. Fabulous post. :)
Aw, thanks Sarah! I sampled the recording of the Storm Darragh landings and I was fascinated by my enjoyment of what is a kind of repetitive format but with expert and fun commentary. I was heartened see the friendly banter in the comments... including people randomly gifting memberships to other viewers. I can very much see the appeal of this channel. When life is crazy you can put this on and see efficency in action and hear from real world people. It's quite reassuring!
Plus at one point there was a kid and his Mom watching as his Dad landed the plane and it was a terribly sweet moment. 😀
I remember the sense of wonder I felt while watching people repair shoes, cars, radios, and bicycles, to name a few. Wonder in their skill (even if it wasn't much, still more than mine) and also at the glimpse into the inner workings of a thing. I'm also reminded of the movie 'Wall-e' which I watched with my children. The humans in the film are inactive, compliant and passive. They didn't set out with that intent but were trained to be that way over time. Eventually, they take ownership of their purpose...
Thanks for this article. It was a revelation. I wasn't aware of the Right to Repair. Also a reminder to think and then think again before making the tiny decisions that shape the world.
Thanks for the lovely comment, Anthony. Yes, there's a wonder in watching a skilled person use their craft. The Right to Repair is a terrific principle. We tend to fix things in my house if at all possible (but not always).
Thanks Maura. I had no idea about the Right to Repair movement.
Delighted to let you know, it's a great initiative.
People power!
Great piece as always! This one resonated strongly with my husband and I. We bought a new car back in 2019 with a 3 month warranty. Just after we passed the 3 year mark, it broke down and needed 2 basic parts. One part took 6 months to locate. The second, a timing chain and one which should be easy to get hold of was impossible to find anywhere. We searched here, in the UK and on European sites. We wound up having to sell a 4 year old car for scrap! Not the most exciting story to be fair but when you sit back and take stock of the environmental impact of this practice—the obsoletism coupled with the move away from a culture of mend and maintain—in conjunction with the pressure on consumers to make more sustainable choices...well, something has to change. Thanks for the information on the Right to Repair movement. Will certainly check it out.
Very sorry to hear your story, how frustrating! Sadly, new cars (especially electric) are often ridiculously expensive to repair. I feel your pain. Once you need to replace parts and throw in labour... it's expensive! I know from experience!