The Restart Project Podcast

**Restart Podcast Ep. 98: It’s official, the UK needs more reuse options** Oct 19, 2024
Have you ever binned or recycled something that was still working, or could have been repaired? Our new report says that the answer is likely, yes. Did you want to do so? Our polling suggests, no!

Last year, we conducted a small study on rates of reuse and repair at a waste and recycling centre in London and found that almost half of the small electricals that went to scrap, could have been either repaired or directly reused. We had our suspicions that this wasn’t a stand alone occurrence, so we set our sights on something bigger. In this episode, we talk to Restart’s own James Pickstone about our new BREW (Beyond Recycling of E-Waste) report into reuse at UK waste facilities, and Sarah Ottoway, Sustainability and Social Value Lead at SUEZ about their new report into uptake of reuse options at their own facilities.

The Headlines

The main – unfortunate but compelling – takeaway from the BREW report shows that there is nowhere near enough of this activity happening. In fact, we found that only around half of waste facilities in the UK have *any* kind of reuse stream and only around a fifth offer reuse for small electricals. It’s a shockingly low statistic that desperately needs to change. If you want to dive deeper, you’re in luck. James takes us on a journey through our findings and what they mean. Including an even more appalling figure on repair at waste facilities.

For SUEZ, their findings are looking a bit brighter. They found that the majority of visitors to the HWRCs were already users of the on-site reuse shop and regularly so. Furthermore, those who weren’t using the shop were already engaging in similar activities eg. charity shopping and buying second hand. It’s a welcome insight into people’s mindsets and a positive sign that more people are picking up sustainable habits.

The art of what could be

James and Sarah run us through what reuse options really look like at these facilities. One of the most impressive perhaps, is Suez’s 6,000² foot ‘renew hub’ in Manchester which caters for upcycling and repair for everything from bicycles, to fabric and upholstery, to woodworking. She is clearly immensely proud of what they have built there and recounts to us the inspiration that she feels just by walking through its entrance. It’s the kind of facility that we want to have in every area of the UK and its the kind of inspiration that we need to make it happen.

As well as the reuse initiatives at council run sites, James points out that there are also many grassroots initiatives spread out around the UK. These are a more than worthy alternative but they also *still* need funding.

Manchester Renew Hub

So what’s stopping us?

Our polling showed that 85% of the British public think items brought to waste facilities should be kept in use through being repaired/refurbished or donated/sold. And the same percentage support government-set targets for reuse. So what’s stopping that from happening? We talk to both of our guests about the barriers and solutions to encourage more reuse options. Sarah says that a lot of the time, the barriers are actually quite practical. Issues of too little space, too little time and too little funding are preventing more options like reuse hubs or refurbish and repair programmes from popping up. These are problems that occur on a case by case basis and while reuse could use more funding as a general rule, its a tricky issue to solve.

But there is action that policymakers can be taking. Sarah and James both run us through some of these potential options including new reuse targets, removal of VAT on repairs and spare parts, and financial incentives for manufacturers to provide longer repair support for products. It’s exactly the kind of thing that we’re asking for in the UK Repair and Reuse Declaration – which has already proven popular with citizens and MPs alike.

Links:

Learn more about our BREW report

Read the full ORA report

Read the full SUEZ report

Read about our 2023 waste study

Discover and sign the Repair and Reuse Declaration

[Images by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 4.0.]

*The Beyond Recycling of E-Waste (BREW) project was supported, in part, by IMPETUS.*

IMPETUS is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101058677. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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**Restart Podcast Ep. 97: Beyond the repair manual, with Shannon Mattern** Aug 29, 2024
For our August episode, we spoke to professor and writer, Shannon Mattern about her writing on the history of repair and repair manuals. It’s a theme that she has almost unknowingly been pursuing in her work for many years, bringing it to areas of thought that we haven’t yet explored on the show.

The repair manual brings into play lots of elements that fascinate Mattern including graphic design and instructional media but perhaps what stands out most is her belief that the genre isn’t always so straight forward in its pedagogical nature. In fact, in classes she often encourages students to use the repair manual as a lens through which to reinvent objects in a more considered way.

From stewardship to sealed devices

The modern repair manual – the one that Right to Repair activists across the world are fighting against – commonly tells us not to even open our devices instead of to repair them. But how did we get here? Mattern takes us through a brief history of the repair manual in its various iterations. From handwritten and drawn examples centuries ago, to the first printed manuals, and then the boom of private goods (and the means to repair them) in the 1950s. She points out that repair manuals have always had a complicated relationship with their reader and this approach is not wholly new. Thats why collectives like Videofreex found a need to produce their own literature on repairing equipment, just one example of the many responses to the genre.

We also touch on the need for *oral* histories and manuals, rather than the published ones that we are used to seeing from manufacturers. Its a practice particularly common in places like Cuba where getting your hands on a written manual can be prohibitively expensive, if they exist at all. But this also rings very true when considering Restart’s own network of community repairers today.

A page from El Libro De La Familia

A page from Videofreex’s Spaghetti City Video Manual

Bending the rules of the manual

As has become clear, the repair manual will never be the be all end all of repairing an object – or our world. Mattern shares some more inventive ways that repair manuals have been used as a ‘boundary object’ in order to encourage conversation and cooperation, especially in the community action space. Rather than being only used as instructive pieces, the manual can actually be a tool in itself. And in fact, this resonates deeply with us, as Restart would not be what it is today if not for the wonderful community of people sharing their skills, their knowledge, and collaborating to make a change.

Links:

Maintenance and Care by Shannon Mattern

Step by Step from ‘Repair Manual’ by Shannon Mattern

‘The pandemic is a portal’ by Arundhati Roy

Repair Culture: Reparación “the never-ending life of Cuban things …” by Mark A Phillips

[Photos courtesy of Internet Archive, London Community Video Archive and the Experimental Television Centre]

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A page from Videofreex's Spaghetti City Video Manual — **Restart Podcast Ep. 97: Beyond the repair manual, with Shannon Mattern** Aug 29, 2024
For our August episode, we spoke to professor and writer, Shannon Mattern about her writing on the history of repair and repair manuals. It’s a theme that she has almost unknowingly been pursuing in her work for many years, bringing it to areas of thought that we haven’t yet explored on the show.

The repair manual brings into play lots of elements that fascinate Mattern including graphic design and instructional media but perhaps what stands out most is her belief that the genre isn’t always so straight forward in its pedagogical nature. In fact, in classes she often encourages students to use the repair manual as a lens through which to reinvent objects in a more considered way.

From stewardship to sealed devices

The modern repair manual – the one that Right to Repair activists across the world are fighting against – commonly tells us not to even open our devices instead of to repair them. But how did we get here? Mattern takes us through a brief history of the repair manual in its various iterations. From handwritten and drawn examples centuries ago, to the first printed manuals, and then the boom of private goods (and the means to repair them) in the 1950s. She points out that repair manuals have always had a complicated relationship with their reader and this approach is not wholly new. Thats why collectives like Videofreex found a need to produce their own literature on repairing equipment, just one example of the many responses to the genre.

We also touch on the need for *oral* histories and manuals, rather than the published ones that we are used to seeing from manufacturers. Its a practice particularly common in places like Cuba where getting your hands on a written manual can be prohibitively expensive, if they exist at all. But this also rings very true when considering Restart’s own network of community repairers today.

A page from El Libro De La Familia

A page from Videofreex’s Spaghetti City Video Manual

Bending the rules of the manual

As has become clear, the repair manual will never be the be all end all of repairing an object – or our world. Mattern shares some more inventive ways that repair manuals have been used as a ‘boundary object’ in order to encourage conversation and cooperation, especially in the community action space. Rather than being only used as instructive pieces, the manual can actually be a tool in itself. And in fact, this resonates deeply with us, as Restart would not be what it is today if not for the wonderful community of people sharing their skills, their knowledge, and collaborating to make a change.

Links:

Maintenance and Care by Shannon Mattern

Step by Step from ‘Repair Manual’ by Shannon Mattern

‘The pandemic is a portal’ by Arundhati Roy

Repair Culture: Reparación “the never-ending life of Cuban things …” by Mark A Phillips

[Photos courtesy of Internet Archive, London Community Video Archive and the Experimental Television Centre]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 96: It’s time for a Student Repair Revolution Jun 27, 2024

We spoke to Restart’s own Pascale Hall and James Pickstone, and Dr Kersty Hobson from Cardiff University about the Student Repair Revolution project and their learnings and hopes for the future of student repair initiatives.

**Unique and familiar challenges**

We know that engaging young people in repair is no easy task which is partly why the Student Repair Revolution project was set up in the first place. So, we discuss the main challenges that were found when trying to set up initiatives in universities. Kersty stresses that it really is dependent on the unique situation of each institution. Campus layout, student extracurricular culture, and the types of courses offered can all affect how easy it is to establish repair groups at a university. Students are also time poor, which means that accessibility and visibility of these repair activities is vital.

But as Pascale and James point out, not all the barriers that they found are unique to university students. There are also the all too recognisable challenges of obtaining insurance for events and finding the volunteers to run them – issues that any repair group organiser will recognise. What seems to be clear is that the ‘traditional’ repair cafe model does not suit universities… especially when it falls on a hungover Sunday morning.

Collaboration is key

Pascale says that one of the most exciting parts of working on this project has been seeing the knowledge and experience sharing between student groups. With such a daunting task, it’s clear that we need to be fostering collaboration between those who are really motivated to establish repair on campuses. And working with local groups is important also. Not only because community repairers can share their experiences in organising events, but they can also pass on their fixing skills which are sadly being lost between generations.

Kersty stresses throughout our conversation that students also need encouragement to get involved in repair.

“I don’t think we can assume that we’ve got a young generation of repairers waiting in the wings. I think we need to be part of the change to facilitate and empower them to be able to do repair.”

While young people are interested in repair – whether for environmental or financial reasons – it’s not enough to expect them to become leaders of the movement on their own. There is a wealth of knowledge on technical skills, Right to Repair policy, and community organising that is just waiting to be shared with the next generation of repair rebels.

Links:

[Feature image courtesy of University of Leeds]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 95: There’s hope yet for UK waste and repair policy, with Green Alliance Apr 18, 2024

This month, we spoke to Libby Peake, Head of Resource Policy at Green Alliance about their work on waste and resources, and how we can get the UK government to act urgently to tackle these issues.

Libby begins by giving us a rundown on government resources policy over the last decade and how it stacks up to the measures that have been put in place in European countries. As she says, ‘bits and bobs’ have been done including on resource and energy efficiency, but it’s not what we need to make a major difference.

“The UN has been raising alarms about the amount of resources that are extracted from the earth. It’s nearly quadrupled since the 1970s and the UN has estimated that that’s driving 50% of global emissions and 90% of biodiversity loss and water stress. So, the planet cannot handle it if we keep extracting resources to this extent.”

We also touch on the UK’s shocking production of electrical waste (e-waste): The 2024 Global E-Waste Monitor was published soon after our interview and the UK are still number 2 on the leaderboard of the world’s highest producers of e-waste per person. It’s a leaderboard that we’re not happy to be near the top of, but there are things that we can do to change this.

One way we’re going about this is with the UK Repair and Reuse Declaration. We talk to Libby about Green Alliance’s involvement in shaping and promoting the declaration and how it could be used as a political tool in the future – including at our joint parliamentary event in May!

Now, while recent movement on Right to Repair and waste reduction policy has been slow, Libby is far from pessimistic about the future. She believes that momentum on these issues is ramping up, and as long as we – along with our amazing community and partners in the space – keep putting on pressure, changes will be coming soon. It’s the type of insight and optimism that reminds us why community repair culture is so important.

Links:

Green Alliance
Ask your MP to sign the Repair and Reuse Declaration
Find out more about what’s happening in Europe
The Global E-Waste Monitor 2024
Material Focus: Is FastTech the new Fast Fashion?
Donate to us and Big Give will double it!

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Keep Britain Tidy's waste hierarchy — **Restart Podcast Ep. 94: How to talk about avoiding waste, with Keep Britain Tidy** Mar 13, 2024
Do you know the most effective way to reduce our waste? If you’re a regular listener, then probably yes. But it may surprise you to find out just how many people believe that recycling is the answer to our climate crisis.

This February, Keep Britain Tidy released a report on how to talk about avoiding waste more effectively with the general public. We spoke to Anna Scott about their main findings and how we can better explain the waste hierarchy.

The social conundrums of buying less

Before we dive into the research, we caught up about how the recent Buy Nothing New Month campaign went. For the last two Januarys, KBT has encouraged people to challenge themselves to a month of not buying anything new. This means participating in activities like reuse, repair, and buying second hand. Anna shared some of her own experiences participating in the challenge and navigating the ways that overconsumption has been ingrained into our societal norms.

What do people actually think of waste prevention?

From KBT’s research, it turns out that the majority of people don’t quite understand the best ways to minimise waste. Anna shares that only 4 in 10 people were able to identify that reduce and reuse should come before recycling. This means that it’s important to be as specific as possible when talking about ways to cut waste.

“It feels like people don’t really seem to understand waste prevention. It feels like the ‘reduce, reuse’ part of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ has got lost along the way somewhere. People don’t seem to understand that reduce and reuse are better than recycling.”

Other communication tips that Anna shared include: giving people practical solutions; explaining why these behaviours are beneficial; and using more active and specific terms such as, repair, mend, share, rather than words like reuse and reduce. They also found that these communications need to be tailored depending on who you’re trying to reach and at what point in their waste prevention journey they are at.

Upping the profile of repair

A statistic from the report that shocked us is that only 30% of people surveyed by KBT have heard of renting initiatives like lending libraries, and even less at 27% have heard of repair cafes. While in our own communities, community repair is always top of mind, it’s important to remember that it is still quite a novel concept to most of the British public.

Anna says that in order to really get waste prevention in the public consciousness and cut through the barrage of advertising people see every day, we need major collaboration between organisations to get these messages amplified. It also turns out people are more likely to listen to charities than the government on these issues – so I guess it’s our job to get this done!

Links:

Keep Britain Tidy’s report and social pack

Learn about Buy Nothing New Month

[Graphics courtesy of Keep Britain Tidy]

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Repair Day 2023 in London — **Restart Podcast Ep. 93: A 2023 Restart Retrospective** Dec 18, 2023
For our final episode of the season, Ugo and Fiona sat down for a chat about the year that was 2023. From launching the Repair and Reuse Declaration to the biggest Repair Day ever to some major wins for Right to Repair across the world. It’s been an amazing year and we couldn’t have done it without our community here in London and further afield.

What has been the progress on Right to Repair?

Gains in Europe

Ugo talks us through the long list of upcoming legislation that is set to be up to bat next year. This includes new rules surrounding smartphones and tablets; consumer rights; and a repairability index for vacuum cleaners. He notes that its going to be a busy year as campaigners try their best to get legislation passed before the elections shake everything up.

How are we learning from this in the UK?

While progress on legislation is slow in the UK, Fiona points a few opportunities in the next year for action. This feels especially possible because of the strength our movement has gained in the UK this year. We’ve spent the year connecting and brainstorming with stakeholders and organisers to develop the Repair and Reuse Declaration which now has over 240 signatories!

Makers Cabinet pose with the declaration on Repair Day

More developments in the US

Our allies in the US have been making major waves this year – especially when it comes to state-specific legislation in California and Minnesota. Ugo also covers some developments backed by our friends at U.S. PIRG. They’ve been facing up to huge names like Google and Microsoft. Despite all this success, we’ve got plenty more to do!

What are we up to locally?

In London, our network continues to grow with new groups popping up all the time. Fiona shares some examples of unique events that have happened this year. We also look back on the Fixing Factory project which we continued to learn from and hope to develop even further.

Our Fixing Factory work in Brent also allowed us to undertake some exciting research. We worked with West London Waste Authority to investigate the e-waste that was brought to a recycling centre. The results were shocking but also inspired us to find solutions.

Our vision for 2024

Fiona and Ugo share their hopes for the future and our work next year. We foresee some ripe opportunities for campaigning in the UK, with the looming general election. Further afield, Ugo is especially excited to see the repair movement grow across the world – with developments already happening in Taiwan, Columbia, and more.

Our community celebrate at Fixfest UK

Links:

Why Google announced Chromebooks will last for 10 years

Microsoft offers extended Windows 10 support, with added cost

What happened on Repair Day 2023?

The Repair and Reuse Declaration

What a waste: our study shows almost half of electricals sent for recycling could be reused

Open repair reaches a major milestone: over 100,000 records of repair

We won the European Union Prize for Citizen Science—Digital Communities Award!

Discover the Community Repair Network

Read about what happened at Fixfest UK 2023

[Feature image by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0]

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Fixfest UK 2023 attendees — **Restart Podcast Ep. 93: A 2023 Restart Retrospective** Dec 18, 2023
For our final episode of the season, Ugo and Fiona sat down for a chat about the year that was 2023. From launching the Repair and Reuse Declaration to the biggest Repair Day ever to some major wins for Right to Repair across the world. It’s been an amazing year and we couldn’t have done it without our community here in London and further afield.

What has been the progress on Right to Repair?

Gains in Europe

Ugo talks us through the long list of upcoming legislation that is set to be up to bat next year. This includes new rules surrounding smartphones and tablets; consumer rights; and a repairability index for vacuum cleaners. He notes that its going to be a busy year as campaigners try their best to get legislation passed before the elections shake everything up.

How are we learning from this in the UK?

While progress on legislation is slow in the UK, Fiona points a few opportunities in the next year for action. This feels especially possible because of the strength our movement has gained in the UK this year. We’ve spent the year connecting and brainstorming with stakeholders and organisers to develop the Repair and Reuse Declaration which now has over 240 signatories!

Makers Cabinet pose with the declaration on Repair Day

More developments in the US

Our allies in the US have been making major waves this year – especially when it comes to state-specific legislation in California and Minnesota. Ugo also covers some developments backed by our friends at U.S. PIRG. They’ve been facing up to huge names like Google and Microsoft. Despite all this success, we’ve got plenty more to do!

What are we up to locally?

In London, our network continues to grow with new groups popping up all the time. Fiona shares some examples of unique events that have happened this year. We also look back on the Fixing Factory project which we continued to learn from and hope to develop even further.

Our Fixing Factory work in Brent also allowed us to undertake some exciting research. We worked with West London Waste Authority to investigate the e-waste that was brought to a recycling centre. The results were shocking but also inspired us to find solutions.

Our vision for 2024

Fiona and Ugo share their hopes for the future and our work next year. We foresee some ripe opportunities for campaigning in the UK, with the looming general election. Further afield, Ugo is especially excited to see the repair movement grow across the world – with developments already happening in Taiwan, Columbia, and more.

Our community celebrate at Fixfest UK

Links:

Why Google announced Chromebooks will last for 10 years

Microsoft offers extended Windows 10 support, with added cost

What happened on Repair Day 2023?

The Repair and Reuse Declaration

What a waste: our study shows almost half of electricals sent for recycling could be reused

Open repair reaches a major milestone: over 100,000 records of repair

We won the European Union Prize for Citizen Science—Digital Communities Award!

Discover the Community Repair Network

Read about what happened at Fixfest UK 2023

[Feature image by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0]

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**Restart Podcast Ep. 92: Taking repair on the road** Nov 30, 2023
We’re going on a repair road trip this month as we talk to Simon Frémineur and Jinny Uppington about their respective mobile repair initiatives. Travelling repair cafes are a popular idea in our community, with quite a few iterations popping up across the UK and abroad. We speak to our guests about the benefits of a mobile unit, including being able to reach communities who cannot access repair as easily.

**The Repair Café Mobile takes Wallonia**

Simon talks us through the origins of the Repair Café Mobile and the excitement that has surrounded it ever since he first pitched it to Repair Together back in 2017. What started as an idea for his final thesis project is now a popular mobile repair site that we loved seeing in person at Fixfest 2022. He talks us through the four stations of the trailer and how he adapted it to best replicate community repair events – which he’s now been able to take to around 100 events across Wallonia.

The trailer boasts a whole range of equipment including tools, spare parts, and even a 3D printer! He also tells us about the ways he is considering expanding and altering the trailer such as, a bicycle version for use in more built-up urban areas.

Reaching rural communities with the Fixy Bus

Next, we speak to Jinny Uppington, Fixy Lead at Resource Futures. The Fixy van has been travelling all over Somerset to reach those in more rural areas and spread the word of community repair. Jinny tells us about the overwhelming popularity of the Fixy van, with its recognisable graffiti exterior that regularly gets spotted when out and about.

Not only are they amplifying repair, Jinny tells us about the work that Resource Futures have been doing with Donate IT to tackle digital exclusion. Their tech amnesty initiatives have helped many residents in need, with the over 1,500 devices donated! She stresses the importance of partnerships for this project and it sounds like they have formed a thriving repair ecosystem in Somerset.

Links:

The Repair Café Mobile

Watch: See the Repair Café Mobile in action

The Fixy Project

Watch: Learn more about Fixy

[Feature image courtesy of Repair Together; Diagrams courtesy of Simon Frémineur; Le Repair Café Mobile by Repair Together / Simon Frémineur is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 91: Voices of Fixfest UK 2023 Oct 21, 2023

On 30th September, over 100 fixers, organisers, researchers, and more from around the UK came together for Fixfest UK 2023! This year’s edition was held in Cardiff and co-organised with our friends at Repair Cafe Wales.

We spent the day sharing our experiences and expertise on how to build the movement and bring repair to the fore both locally and nationally. It was an incredibly supportive atmosphere, including a session on how to take care of yourself as a repair facilitator.

In this episode, we wanted to share a taste of the conversations going on on the day. We spoke to 8 Fixfest attendees about how they’ve been uplifting repair in their communities, what they hope for the future, and how we can get repair on the government’s agenda.

You’ll hear a host of different voices including: Clare Seek from Repair Cafe Portsmouth, and Nicole Barton from Cambridge Carbon Footprint from England; Elaine Brown from Edinburgh Remakery, and Jane Dixon from Share & Repair Network from Scotland; Phoebe Brown from Repair Cafe Wales, and Hayley Roberts from RE:MAKE Newport from Wales; and Chris McCartney from Repair Café Belfast, and Caroline McGuiness-Brooks from Repair Café Foyle in Northern Ireland.

Repair for Everyone

On October 21st, we’re marking the seventh International Repair Day. The theme for 2023 is ‘Repair for Everyone’, we wanted to know what this phrase meant to UK organisers. It’s clear that accessibility is key to the answer to this question. We need repair to be affordable and abundant. This includes making an effort to start repair cafés in more hard to reach areas, and also making sure that we considering the global community in this movement.

“They can come in, watch repair, get the confidence to do it and then make that a part of their lifestyle. So repair cafes are the future, as far as I’m concerned.”

Hopes for the future

We hear all about how the different organisations and initiatives are championing repair in their local areas but we also want to know what they hope will happen in the next five years. It turns out, our community has big aspirations. Many say that their main goal is simply to do even more of what they’re already doing – bringing repair to as many people as possible.

We want to increase the reach of repair projects across the UK. And importantly, Chris emphasises the need to do this in a sustainable way, by finding new partners who can offer support and make repair cafés self-sustaining. Some want to use repair cafés as a vehicle to educate people and spread the message of climate action. What is probably the biggest shared aspiration is that of finding a permanent space for repair projects so the group took great inspiration from a visit to RE:MAKE Newport at the beginning of the weekend and a session on dedicated repair spaces. Almost everyone also wants to grow aspects of their operations, especially by incorporating borrowing libraries into their work.

How can we engage politicians?

Another exciting event at Fixfest UK was the unveiling of the new Repair and Reuse Declaration. It’s one of the ways we are taking action to make repair for everyone and demanding that the UK government support repair. Our guests share a host of ways that they’ve engaged their local politicians but what seems to work best is inviting them to an event, repairing something for them and really demonstrating the value of repair.

“Befriend your local [politicians], get them in so that they can see what you do because once they see your repair cafés and they see what difference it makes to the community and to the environment, they’re going to be blown away.”

If you want the UK government to take action on repair please sign the declaration as a group or organisation and encourage your local MP to do the same!

Links:

(Feature image by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

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Restart Project Ep. 90: Meet TV’s Retro Electro Workshop ‘super fixers’, Rob Howard and Matt Marchant Sep 28, 2023

Pinball machines are whirring and circuitboards buzz as we talk to ‘super-fixers’ Rob Howard and Matt Marchant from the TV show Retro Electro Workshop, about the experience of making a show about retro repair and how to encourage more people to repair their things. Retro Electro Workshop features Rob, Matt, and Shamil (who you will remember from our episode about Armstrong Audio) as we watch them dig out broken treasures and repair them to their former glory.

The ‘warm buzz’ of repair

It’s hard not to want to dive into repairing your stuff when you hear Matt and Rob talk about it. From the satisfaction of making an antique radio sing again, to the sensory experience of hearing clicking contacts and smelling electrical components firing, it’s clear that they live and breathe repair. The hosts share their favourite repairs from the show including an old pinball machine, wartime radios, and a very sentimental Pinnochio toy. But more than anything, Matt and Rob say it’s the process of repairing they love – no matter the final outcome (though the pinball machine did sound fun to play with).

The older, the better

New isn’t always better according to Rob and Matt (and us). While they recognise the limits of old cassette players for example, a lot of older devices were built to last unlike more contemporary gadgets. They tell us about the time when receiving a service manual with your device was the default, and things were designed to be taken apart and repaired.

“I think people have sort of forgotten that a little bit. We talk about circular economy, we talk about sustainability. But there’s still a lot of people who just think the first thing that happens if their appliance breaks is just to bin it, rather than actually, well maybe there is a repair thats sort of cost effective and sustainable for it.”

Nowadays, a lack of repair guides and the abundance of glued and teeny tiny parts means that the average person will have a very difficult time repairing their gadgets. Perhaps, having a go at fixing an older item thats been sitting in your attic is a good place to start.

Why not give it a go?

An important lesson for any budding repairers is just give it a go – your device is already broken anyway! Of course don’t go sticking your hands into the back of a radiator, says Rob, but if you take the proper precautions, there’s nothing to be afraid of with repair. Both Rob and Matt believe that repair education should be built into the curriculum in schools so that people can keep repair in mind as a solution from an early age. They’ve already received many letters from viewers who either were inspired to dig out an old toy and fix it up to working condition, and hope that Retro Electro Workshop will inspire you as well.

Links:

All episodes of Retro Electro Workshop are available to stream for free on UKTV Play
Fix It Workshop
Restart Podcast Ep. 52: Combining nostalgia with the new at Armstrong Audio

[Images and video courtesy of UKTV’s Retro Electro Workshop]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 89: What happens to your waste? with Oliver Franklin-Wallis Aug 01, 2023

In the final episode of our summer season, we talked to author and journalist, Oliver Franklin-Wallis about his new book entitled, Wasteland: The Dirty Truth about What We Throw Away, Where It Goes, and Why It Matters. Oliver spent four years researching waste of all kinds, the people that handle it, and its effect on our planet. Having just conducted our own research into e-waste at a recycling centre, we were excited to learn about a more expansive view of the issue.

The reality of recycling

Oliver has been reporting on and thinking about waste for many years, from writing about Project Sword in China to the pollution of our rivers here in the UK. He’s passionate about making the massive issue of human-produced waste more visible to us. Off the bat, he shares some shocking statistics about the amount of waste that we, as a society, throw away each year. In the UK alone, this is ~1.3kg per person, per day. In the US, the number is even higher.

Perhaps, more shocking than these figures is what Oliver calls “the foundational lie” of our recycling rate as a country. He is far from anti-recycling, sharing compelling figures with us like “an aluminum can that’s recycled, has a 95% lower carbon footprint than one that’s made of virgin materials.” But he points out that the way recycling rates are calculated in the UK is unhelpful in significantly reducing our waste output, substantially overestimating the amount of materials actually recycled.

“In some cases, half of what we’re saying is recycled is not being recycled at all. A lot of the times we don’t know what’s happening to it when we get there.

So, it’s insane to me that the government can be slapping us on the wrist for recycling the wrong yogurt pots or putting things in the wrong bins, when the reality is we don’t actually know what’s happening to this stuff.”

We need more transparency in these processes and to better understand the value of our stuff and as such, put more thought into where it goes if we discard it. Oliver tells us about some ways that the government could more productively tackle recycling such as Deposit Return Schemes.

What happens to our exported waste?

While researching, Oliver travelled across the UK and the world including to Accra, New Delhi, and Fresno. He was struck by the differences between Global North and South in resources for treating waste safely and the role it played in each place.

“Economic inequality, is at the heart of a lot of what we’re talking about when we’re dealing with waste, right? Rich people get to deal with it in an environmentally safe and fair manner, and the Global South overwhelmingly doesn’t.”

It’s imperative that if we are to continue exporting waste to the Global South, that we ensure it is not harming the people that live there and the exporting of waste is done in a more responsible way.

Positively, we also discuss how exporting what we call “waste” can often benefit those in countries like Ghana and India. The market for second-hand goods and the efforts put into repairing items means that much of the waste is reused. By looking at how clothing is resold in markets like Kantamanto, or electronics harvested by ‘burner boys’ in the now non-existent Agbogbloshie, and repaired in Accra. We could learn how to think about waste differently and in a more productive way.

Repairing to reduce waste

Oliver points out the way that Right to Repair uniquely benefits electronics users in places like Ghana. Here it is even more important that software updates and such are ensured for many years, as the lives of these electronics are being extended beyond their first user. We also discuss the huge issue that is ‘must-shred’ contracts and how an appalling amount of brand-new and usable tech is being shredded constantly.

As it didn’t make it into the book, Oliver takes a chance to talk about his experience attending a Hackney Fixers Restart Party, praising the positivity and energy. He speaks about the sentimental value of repair and the way it strengthens our connections with our stuff, and unites people across the world.

Links:

[Feature images courtesy of Oliver Franklin-Wallis]

The post Restart Podcast Ep. 89: What happens to your waste? with Oliver Franklin-Wallis appeared first on The Restart Project.

Restart Podcast Ep. 88: Saving reusable products from the shredder, with West London Waste Authority Jun 29, 2023

Have you ever binned or recycled something that was still working, or could have been repaired? The answer is likely, yes. Based on the results of our recent Waste Composition Analysis, conducted with West London Waste Authority (WLWA), it’s a habit that is even more common than we thought.

This March, we spent a week looking at small electrical products brought to the Abbey Road Household Waste and Recycling Centre, and analysed what could have been reused and repaired. In this episode, we tell you more about the results of this study. Ugo also spoke to Emma Beal, Managing Director at WLWA, about the state of recycling and reuse in the UK and what she hopes we can do to improve the e-waste issue.

From novel to normal

When thinking about how to shift public attitudes to waste, Emma points out that once we work as a whole, change comes quite easily. She cites the non-existent practice of recycling three decades ago compared to how common it is now. As our waste problem grows, she believes that a shift to reuse is inevitable. And when people look back in decades to come, they will be incredulous to the fact that it was not always the norm.

But how do we make it commonplace now? We need to rethink the definition of waste, as Emma states:

“Waste is defined by the person who is not wanting it anymore…the regulation flows from the fact that it has been defined as waste. And it’s only wasted because it’s not wanted, it doesn’t mean it’s not useful, it doesn’t mean it’s not valuable.”

We need to see our stuff as valuable, even once we don’t want it anymore. And this doesn’t just need to be done at council level but also within our communities.

What’s happening in reuse?

While we’d love to, we recognise it’s not possible to reuse everything. Repairing, and even just testing products takes time and money, and we also know that there isn’t the demand to reuse everything. For those at the receiving end, though, reuse is incredibly beneficial. We’ve seen this through our work donating laptops and running the Brent Fixing Factory with WLWA. And there are of course also huge environmental benefits.

Emma tells us about their work monitoring the costs and logistics of reuse, in a hope to be able to scale it in a reasonable way. She tells us about some of the other projects that are working to increase reuse such as, Manchester Renew Hub, reuse shops on waste sites, and our very own Fixing Factory. These initiatives are important not only in developing and testing ways to keep things in use, but also to make reuse more visible to the public. This visibility and communication is what Emma believes will really push reuse to become more popular with the public. Once people see how important it is, there’s no stopping it.

Links:

Read more about our case study: What a waste: our study shows almost half of electricals sent for recycling could be reused
Fixing Factory
West London Waste

[Feature image by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 4.0.]

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Brighton Repair Cafe — **Restart Podcast Ep. 87: Exploring Brighton’s repair and reuse ecosystem** Jun 01, 2023
This month, we take a deep-dive into a local repair and reuse ecosystem. Brighton seemed like a great case study for this so we spoke to Victoria Jackson and Sam Jarman from Brighton Repair Café and Dr David Greenfield from Tech-Takeback, two of the amazing projects working together to reduce waste in the city.

A decade of repair with Brighton Repair Café

Brighton Repair Café is one of the longest-running repair cafés in the UK, holding their first event all the way back in 2013. Victoria and Sam were both studying sustainable design at the time and were interested in the journeys that we take with our things, from their design inception, to when they break, to how we can reconnect through repair. They were inspired by the Dutch repair café model to hold their first repair session and since then, have been steadily running events around the city. They’ve also served as inspiration for more repair cafés popping up in Brighton and Hove and the surrounding area, and are part of the Community Repair Network.

Victoria and Sam share what they have learned from running repair events for so long, from de-gendering repair to making sure that its a fun and rewarding activity. They believe that repair is so rewarding that once someone has a positive experience, that’s all they need for it to snowball into something bigger.

“It is quite experiential. So as soon as someone experiences that opportunity, we don’t have to do too much work in that respect because they understand how good they feel when they fix that object with the support of somebody else. They also understand how important those communities are.”

It’s their hope that in the future, repair will become so popular that there will be a repair cafe in every town, university, and school. They believe that the knock-on effect of teaching young people about repair would be huge, especially with how many skills have been lost over recent decades. And they’ve already started this mission, working with a local university to set up a student-led repair café.

Repairing at Brighton Repair Café [Photo courtesy of Brighton Repair Café]

Give and take with Tech-Takeback

We then talk to David from Tech-Takeback, who were recent collaborators with Brighton Repair Café as part of Brighton council’s Circular Saturday scheme. Tech-Takeback began in 2016 as pop-up events in Brighton and London, expanding in 2020 into the organisation that they are now. They run RevaluElectricals, collecting unwanted and broken electrical devices from Brighton residents to hopefully give them a new life. David gives as a breakdown of some of their data including, the most collected devices and the massive amount of e-waste that has been saved since they started. 25,000 items have already gone on to have a second life!

He explains their processes for reusing tech, it’s an elaborate process but worth it. Much of the collected items end up going to charities, being sold in the Revaluit shop, or being given away on Freegle. And while some items do end up being recycled, they are first stripped for useful parts and materials.

“We need the government to start thinking about the metrics for reuse. Everything at the moment is focused on recycling…above recycling, we should be having refurbishment, repair, remanufacturing, reuse, and we should be having prevention.”

Not only do Tech-Takeback reduce e-waste and provide affordable tech to those who need it, the data that they have gathered during their work has been incredibly informative for our own research and for the larger repair ecosystem.

Repair event at Tech-Takeback [Photo courtesy of Tech-Takeback]
Brighton Repair Café and Tech-Takeback, are examples of projects that we need to have in *every* part of the UK. These aspirations though, need a lot of support, especially from the government and local councils. All of our guests agree that not enough is currently being done, pointing to Wales as an example of a truly bolstered repair culture. We hope to use the connections built and data collected by projects like these to inform our work and campaign for Right to Repair across the whole of the UK – and the world.

Links:

Brighton Repair Café

Tech-Takeback

Restart Podcast Ep. 71: Fixing at Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement

Community Repair Network

[Feature image by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 4.0.]

The post Restart Podcast Ep. 87: Exploring Brighton’s repair and reuse ecosystem appeared first on The Restart Project.

**Restart Podcast Ep. 87: Exploring Brighton’s repair and reuse ecosystem** Jun 01, 2023
This month, we take a deep-dive into a local repair and reuse ecosystem. Brighton seemed like a great case study for this so we spoke to Victoria Jackson and Sam Jarman from Brighton Repair Café and Dr David Greenfield from Tech-Takeback, two of the amazing projects working together to reduce waste in the city.

A decade of repair with Brighton Repair Café

Brighton Repair Café is one of the longest-running repair cafés in the UK, holding their first event all the way back in 2013. Victoria and Sam were both studying sustainable design at the time and were interested in the journeys that we take with our things, from their design inception, to when they break, to how we can reconnect through repair. They were inspired by the Dutch repair café model to hold their first repair session and since then, have been steadily running events around the city. They’ve also served as inspiration for more repair cafés popping up in Brighton and Hove and the surrounding area, and are part of the Community Repair Network.

Victoria and Sam share what they have learned from running repair events for so long, from de-gendering repair to making sure that its a fun and rewarding activity. They believe that repair is so rewarding that once someone has a positive experience, that’s all they need for it to snowball into something bigger.

“It is quite experiential. So as soon as someone experiences that opportunity, we don’t have to do too much work in that respect because they understand how good they feel when they fix that object with the support of somebody else. They also understand how important those communities are.”

It’s their hope that in the future, repair will become so popular that there will be a repair cafe in every town, university, and school. They believe that the knock-on effect of teaching young people about repair would be huge, especially with how many skills have been lost over recent decades. And they’ve already started this mission, working with a local university to set up a student-led repair café.

Repairing at Brighton Repair Café [Photo courtesy of Brighton Repair Café]

Give and take with Tech-Takeback

We then talk to David from Tech-Takeback, who were recent collaborators with Brighton Repair Café as part of Brighton council’s Circular Saturday scheme. Tech-Takeback began in 2016 as pop-up events in Brighton and London, expanding in 2020 into the organisation that they are now. They run RevaluElectricals, collecting unwanted and broken electrical devices from Brighton residents to hopefully give them a new life. David gives as a breakdown of some of their data including, the most collected devices and the massive amount of e-waste that has been saved since they started. 25,000 items have already gone on to have a second life!

He explains their processes for reusing tech, it’s an elaborate process but worth it. Much of the collected items end up going to charities, being sold in the Revaluit shop, or being given away on Freegle. And while some items do end up being recycled, they are first stripped for useful parts and materials.

“We need the government to start thinking about the metrics for reuse. Everything at the moment is focused on recycling…above recycling, we should be having refurbishment, repair, remanufacturing, reuse, and we should be having prevention.”

Not only do Tech-Takeback reduce e-waste and provide affordable tech to those who need it, the data that they have gathered during their work has been incredibly informative for our own research and for the larger repair ecosystem.

Repair event at Tech-Takeback [Photo courtesy of Tech-Takeback]
Brighton Repair Café and Tech-Takeback, are examples of projects that we need to have in *every* part of the UK. These aspirations though, need a lot of support, especially from the government and local councils. All of our guests agree that not enough is currently being done, pointing to Wales as an example of a truly bolstered repair culture. We hope to use the connections built and data collected by projects like these to inform our work and campaign for Right to Repair across the whole of the UK – and the world.

Links:

Brighton Repair Café

Tech-Takeback

Restart Podcast Ep. 71: Fixing at Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement

Community Repair Network

[Feature image by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 4.0.]

The post Restart Podcast Ep. 87: Exploring Brighton’s repair and reuse ecosystem appeared first on The Restart Project.

Repair craft case studies — **Restart Podcast Ep. 86: Why repairers need hope, not guilt, with Katie Treggiden** Apr 25, 2023
This month we talked to author and communicator, Katie Treggiden about her recent book entitled, Broken: Mending & Repair in a Throwaway World. Katie has put decades of thought into helping creatives and makers become more sustainable but also forgive themselves when they can’t be.

Back to her roots

Having grown up surrounded by nature in Cornwall, Katie tells us about her surprising origin story. She spent over a decade working in advertising before pivoting towards her life-long love of writing. With this, she also folded in a new interest – purpose-driven craft and design. Since then, she has explored what this actually means through writing dissertations, books, and hosting a podcast on the topic. With all this experience under her belt, she decided that she wanted to help makers develop their working practices to fit the circular future that we need to build.

How craftspeople are using repair

Katie has previously written about waste and reuse, and her new book Broken puts the focus on repair. She shares some standout case studies from the book of artists and craftspeople who are incorporating repair into their work. These include Celia Pym, Bridget Harvey, Ekta Kaul – all artists who explore repair in entirely different ways.

L-R: Work by Celia Pym, Bridget Harvey, and Ekta Kaul

Katie notes her interest in the different ways repair can be used for example, as a tool to restore practical value, or to add artistic value, or even for self-care. We talk about where repair and hacking fits into the larger culture of craft, and more specifically the ‘craft of use’. She notes how much more difficult electronic repair often is compared to more traditional craft and making. This is especially true now that manufacturers make an effort to conceal the craftsmanship that goes into making (and therefore taking apart and repairing) our devices.

Letting go of guilt in order to move forward

While individual action is *of course* important, system change is essential for the scale of the problem we are dealing with. When running her courses for creatives, Katie really focuses on this point as key to forward movement. Instead of being weighed down by the personal guilt of climate breakdown, makers need to be led by curiosity and experimentation instead of sustainability perfectionism. We all have a part to play in helping the planet, but it is not our responsibility alone.

“I think really until companies are responsible for the things they sell for their whole lifetime, repair is not going to be the norm.”

Additionally, she stresses the need to be compassionate. There are so many reasons why people may not repair. These include social stigma, a lack of time or resources, or that their stuff is simply not designed to be repaired. Knocking down these barriers is not something anyone can do on their own, rather, we need collective action to change the system.

Practising ‘defiant hope’

It’s difficult to stay optimistic about our power to enact change but Katie believes hope is one of the most important tools we have. There isn’t a one size fits all solution to being sustainable, but what can join us all together in our efforts is our common goal.

“One of the most important parts of my job is staying hopeful and and helping to keep other people hopeful.”

Links:

Wasted: When Trash Becomes Treasure by Katie Treggiden

Broken: Mending & Repair in a Throwaway World by Katie Treggiden

Cultivating Hope in the Face of the Climate Crisis – a free three-part mini-course

*The Future We Choose* by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac

[Photos courtesy of Katie Treggiden]

The post Restart Podcast Ep. 86: Why repairers need hope, not guilt, with Katie Treggiden appeared first on The Restart Project.

**Restart Podcast Ep. 85: The local businesses giving your stuff a ‘second life’** Mar 24, 2023
This week we’ve been celebrating London Repair Week by highlighting the heroic repair businesses all over the city. Our directory of repair shops, LondonRepairs.org, was recently relaunched with a new dedicated website. Here you can find over 300 reliable businesses to fix your stuff. In this month’s podcast, we spoke to two of these repairers about their passion for fixing, the barriers to their work and what could revitalise the repair economy.

Meet the businesses

Junaid Syed is one half of the team of brothers that run Holborn-based **Saras Fix**. Having grown up repairing and fixing computers in their mother’s school, they have a lifetime of experience to draw on when fixing customers’ electronics. He recounts a very memorable repair that he performed during the lockdown, when he had to take a risk that absolutely paid off and helped someone in need.

Junaid and his brother, Jawad at their shop

Xenis Stylianou has been in the electronics repair trade for over 30 years and runs his business, **Zen’s Electronics Workshop** near Finsbury Park. Having learned his trade through training schemes and skilling up with different engineers, he explains how difficult it is to gain experience this way nowadays. He believes that a lot more support for professional repair is needed, especially in terms of training paths and apprenticeships, otherwise we risk losing these essential skills to time.

Xenis and Junaid repairing at their shops

The state of repair today

With so many decades of fixing experience, Xenis can give us a first hand account of how things have changed. Speaking on his area of expertise of audio-visual equipment, he tells us that not only has everything become harder to open, and therefore repair, but also products are being produced at much lower quality than in decades past.

“It’s a top down thing…over time manufacturers have actually reduced their build quality to come in line with the cheaper brands. And because now everything’s built to cost, the engineer at the other end repairing the equipment is not taken into consideration anymore.”

Both Junaid and Xenis agree that the various barriers that manufacturers put on repair are not only affecting the operation of repair businesses but also the customer’s autonomy to make choices about their device.

Keeping repair alive

So, if being a professional repairer is so challenging, how do they find the drive to keep it up? Xenis and Junaid care about their customers and reducing electronic waste.

Junaid describes it as “giving back a second life to the broken devices which would’ve ended up in a landfill” and it’s an aspect of repair that he’s incredibly passionate about. He also regularly volunteers at repair events, donating his time and years of experience to help people learn to repair their own stuff. No matter if people want to try to repair their stuff at home or bring it straight to a professional, he stresses that London’s repair businesses are here to help.

Links:

London Repairs

Saras Fix

Zen’s Electronics Workshop

[Photo courtesy of Saras Fix and Zen’s Electronics Workshop]

The post Restart Podcast Ep. 85: The local businesses giving your stuff a ‘second life’ appeared first on The Restart Project.

**Restart Podcast Ep. 85: The local businesses giving your stuff a ‘second life’** Mar 24, 2023
This week we’ve been celebrating London Repair Week by highlighting the heroic repair businesses all over the city. Our directory of repair shops, LondonRepairs.org, was recently relaunched with a new dedicated website. Here you can find over 300 reliable businesses to fix your stuff. In this month’s podcast, we spoke to two of these repairers about their passion for fixing, the barriers to their work and what could revitalise the repair economy.

Meet the businesses

Junaid Syed is one half of the team of brothers that run Holborn-based **Saras Fix**. Having grown up repairing and fixing computers in their mother’s school, they have a lifetime of experience to draw on when fixing customers’ electronics. He recounts a very memorable repair that he performed during the lockdown, when he had to take a risk that absolutely paid off and helped someone in need.

Junaid and his brother, Jawad at their shop

Xenis Stylianou has been in the electronics repair trade for over 30 years and runs his business, **Zen’s Electronics Workshop** near Finsbury Park. Having learned his trade through training schemes and skilling up with different engineers, he explains how difficult it is to gain experience this way nowadays. He believes that a lot more support for professional repair is needed, especially in terms of training paths and apprenticeships, otherwise we risk losing these essential skills to time.

Xenis and Junaid repairing at their shops

The state of repair today

With so many decades of fixing experience, Xenis can give us a first hand account of how things have changed. Speaking on his area of expertise of audio-visual equipment, he tells us that not only has everything become harder to open, and therefore repair, but also products are being produced at much lower quality than in decades past.

“It’s a top down thing…over time manufacturers have actually reduced their build quality to come in line with the cheaper brands. And because now everything’s built to cost, the engineer at the other end repairing the equipment is not taken into consideration anymore.”

Both Junaid and Xenis agree that the various barriers that manufacturers put on repair are not only affecting the operation of repair businesses but also the customer’s autonomy to make choices about their device.

Keeping repair alive

So, if being a professional repairer is so challenging, how do they find the drive to keep it up? Xenis and Junaid care about their customers and reducing electronic waste.

Junaid describes it as “giving back a second life to the broken devices which would’ve ended up in a landfill” and it’s an aspect of repair that he’s incredibly passionate about. He also regularly volunteers at repair events, donating his time and years of experience to help people learn to repair their own stuff. No matter if people want to try to repair their stuff at home or bring it straight to a professional, he stresses that London’s repair businesses are here to help.

Links:

London Repairs

Saras Fix

Zen’s Electronics Workshop

[Photo courtesy of Saras Fix and Zen’s Electronics Workshop]

The post Restart Podcast Ep. 85: The local businesses giving your stuff a ‘second life’ appeared first on The Restart Project.

**Restart Podcast Ep. 84: Repairmongers, remakeries, and repair hubs** Feb 28, 2023
This month, join us for an expert panel on community-led high street repair! We gathered together Katie Bellaris from Re:Make Newport, Elaine Brown from Edinburgh Remakery, Sue Briggs from The General Store Selkirk, and Lorna Montgomery from Share and Repair Bath to talk about their experiences setting up high street repair projects in their area. We’re hoping that by hearing about their different operating models, approaches, and tips and tricks it will inspire some of you to support repair and reuse on your local high street.

The money question

All of these ventures run with slightly different business models and approaches to funding their work. What they all agree on is the central role of generous donations from their local communities. Whether it’s financial donations, volunteering or donations in cake form, it all helps to keep them running. Sue also taught us a new term, referring to The General Store as a ‘repairmongers’, steadfastly placing themselves as a community institution.

The General Store Selkirk [Photo courtesy of The General Store Selkirk]

Reaching out

We ruminate on how the location and demographics of each project’s local area affects the way that they operate. Whether it is the difference in affluence between Bath and Newport, or the remoteness of Selkirk in comparison to Edinburgh Remakery’s shopping centre location. What Katie loves about Re:Make Newport – echoed by everyone else – is the way that their shop brings people together.

“The essence of what we do is all about community, it’s about bringing people together. And I love being in the shop and the atmosphere there is electric. You’ve got people of all generations, all ages talking about repair and sharing tips and knowledge and the way that they look at repair and reuse.”

Inside Re:Make Newport [Image by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 2.0.]

What about you?

So what if you want to start a project like this? Our panel say ask others for help. They’ve found that other people in the repair space are more than happy to share their expertise and experience. After all, we are all working towards the same goal of more accessible repair and reuse for all. We want a repair and reuse hub in every town across the UK. In London we’re starting with Fixing Factories and can’t wait to see where they take us.

And in case you’re wondering about the cryptic comment in her introduction, in a previous life Sue played a murder victim on the TV show Taggart!

Links:

Re:Make Newport

Edinburgh Remakery

The General Store Selkirk

Share and Repair Bath

Restart Podcast Ep. 81: Launching the new Fixing Factory

[Feature collage images courtesy of Mark A Phillips, The General Store Selkirk, Edinburgh Remakery]

[Image by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 2.0.]

The post Restart Podcast Ep. 84: Repairmongers, remakeries, and repair hubs appeared first on The Restart Project.

Re:Make Newport's schedule — **Restart Podcast Ep. 84: Repairmongers, remakeries, and repair hubs** Feb 28, 2023
This month, join us for an expert panel on community-led high street repair! We gathered together Katie Bellaris from Re:Make Newport, Elaine Brown from Edinburgh Remakery, Sue Briggs from The General Store Selkirk, and Lorna Montgomery from Share and Repair Bath to talk about their experiences setting up high street repair projects in their area. We’re hoping that by hearing about their different operating models, approaches, and tips and tricks it will inspire some of you to support repair and reuse on your local high street.

The money question

All of these ventures run with slightly different business models and approaches to funding their work. What they all agree on is the central role of generous donations from their local communities. Whether it’s financial donations, volunteering or donations in cake form, it all helps to keep them running. Sue also taught us a new term, referring to The General Store as a ‘repairmongers’, steadfastly placing themselves as a community institution.

The General Store Selkirk [Photo courtesy of The General Store Selkirk]

Reaching out

We ruminate on how the location and demographics of each project’s local area affects the way that they operate. Whether it is the difference in affluence between Bath and Newport, or the remoteness of Selkirk in comparison to Edinburgh Remakery’s shopping centre location. What Katie loves about Re:Make Newport – echoed by everyone else – is the way that their shop brings people together.

“The essence of what we do is all about community, it’s about bringing people together. And I love being in the shop and the atmosphere there is electric. You’ve got people of all generations, all ages talking about repair and sharing tips and knowledge and the way that they look at repair and reuse.”

Inside Re:Make Newport [Image by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 2.0.]

What about you?

So what if you want to start a project like this? Our panel say ask others for help. They’ve found that other people in the repair space are more than happy to share their expertise and experience. After all, we are all working towards the same goal of more accessible repair and reuse for all. We want a repair and reuse hub in every town across the UK. In London we’re starting with Fixing Factories and can’t wait to see where they take us.

And in case you’re wondering about the cryptic comment in her introduction, in a previous life Sue played a murder victim on the TV show Taggart!

Links:

Re:Make Newport

Edinburgh Remakery

The General Store Selkirk

Share and Repair Bath

Restart Podcast Ep. 81: Launching the new Fixing Factory

[Feature collage images courtesy of Mark A Phillips, The General Store Selkirk, Edinburgh Remakery]

[Image by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 2.0.]

The post Restart Podcast Ep. 84: Repairmongers, remakeries, and repair hubs appeared first on The Restart Project.

Student repair workshop — **Restart Podcast Ep. 83: Meet the students Fixing Things for the Future** Jan 30, 2023
It’s been an ongoing question in our community of how to get young people involved in repair culture. In this month’s podcast, we were delighted to talk to students, Carl Mau and Beat Schneiderhan, and their teachers, Felix Lossin and Walter Kraus, who have a plan. Based at the Rudolf Steiner School in Munich, not only do they have a weekly repair cafe led by students but lessons on repairing are also integrated into their curriculum. And they have created a guidebook on how to start a student repair shop at any school. We spoke to them about this innovative idea and how it has been received by students.

Integrating repair

Carl and Beat tell us about their experience being students of the repair workshop and how excited they are to share the opportunity with more schools. In addition to their weekly repair cafe, students who opt to study repair have up to four dedicated classes per week. They feel that the skills they are learning in their repair classes will stay with them for the rest of their lives, and in some cases seem much more applicable than more traditional classes.

The ‘learning by doing’ ethos

They describe the teaching method of the repair classes as “learning by doing”, often the students are encouraged to work without the assistance of teachers as much as possible. Carl points out that this has made him more confident to attempt repairs at home and he hopes that this mindset will carry on once he graduates.

“It’s the realisation that the students kind of lose their fear of something so easy. When they see how easy it is they get used to it and will repair for themselves. And every time something is broken, they are ready to try to repair it.”

Fixing Things for the Future

Finally, we discuss their guide called Fixing Things for the Future. It details how to start a student repair workshop from scratch, covering everything from tools to tutorials. Felix points out how important student safety is when operating one of these projects. The guidebook has an extensive section on how to keep students safe and help them confidently deal with electricals.

Beat hopes that in the future there will be a repair workshop at every school, in every country! If this sounds like something you could help set up, they now have an English version of the guide available for download.

Links

Find the guide here Schueler-reparaturwerkstatt or here Culture of Repair

Our Fixfest 2022 session with *Fixing Things for the Future*

Last month, we spoke to a company introducing repair to even younger children – Restart Podcast Ep. 82: No need for new toys, we have Team Repair

[Photos courtesy of Felix Lossin]

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Team Repair kit — **Restart Podcast Ep. 82: No need for new toys, we have Team Repair** Dec 14, 2022
We’re officially in the holiday season now and like many, we have presents and toys on the mind. For our December episode, we spoke to Anaïs Engelmann and Megan Hale from Team Repair. They run a 12-month fixing programme that could be a perfect gift for any young person in your life.

Starting fixers young

The team of Team Repair is composed of five design engineering graduates who are linked by their passion for reducing e-waste. Their company aims to introduce and teach children about repair and sustainability, each month sending them a new gadget to fix. These gadgets include hand-held game consoles and remote controlled cars – its such a fresh and engaging approach to capturing children’s minds.

Anaïs and Megan explain to us how they came to repair at different stages of their lives, proving that it is never the wrong time to learn these crucial skills. They believe that getting children interested in repair early is integral to inspiring our next generation of fixers and repair-friendly designers.

Another lovely aspect of the Team Repair model is encouraging generational skill sharing. Whether it is parents helping their children with the repair kits, or Team Repair themselves going into schools. At Restart, we recognise how important this skill sharing is in teaching younger people and also not letting this knowledge be lost to time.

Building in circularity

They tell us how a key feature of their project is building circularity into their work. It is not necessarily a popular approach with investors but Team Repair recognise the importance of this aspect of their work. In an effort to solve the issue of e-waste, it only makes sense to reuse the gadgets that they send out.

Their hope is that by educating children on repair and waste reduction, these skills will come in handy when Right to Repair legislation also moves forwards in the coming years. It’s a hope that we definitely share and are working towards making a reality all the time.

Team Repair’s fixing programme is such a cool concept and we cannot wait to see how it develops and what other toys there are to fix!

**Links**

Learn more about Team Repair

Find them on Instagram and Twitter

[Photos courtesy of Team Repair]

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Inside Camden Fixing Factory — **Restart Podcast Ep. 81: Launching the new Fixing Factory** Nov 28, 2022
This month, we spoke to Restart’s Shelini Kotecha and Possible’s Dermot Jones about Fixing Factories. We’ve been working with Possible to open up two Fixing Factories this year, gathering lots of interest along the way. The Brent Factory, based in the Abbey Road waste facility opened in April this year and has been a hub for laptop repair and reuse. At the end of October, we were excited to finally open the Camden site, on Queen’s Crescent high street. Queens Crescent Fixing Factory will fix any small electronics and get lots of new people into fixing.

The new Camden Fixing Factory

Dermot tells us about the wonderful celebration that marked the opening of the Camden Fixing Factory. It was a great community showing, with neighbours coming together and sharing homemade food and knowledge with each other.

He also tells us about their plans for making the Fixing Factory self-sustaining, including some creative ways to get artists involved in adding value to repaired items. The opportunities for involvement are seemingly endless and span a wide range of fixing abilities. Dermot also does a shout out for the evening repair club, which provides a fun space for tinkerers who want to get started in their learning or take on more time consuming repairs.

Learning from each other

We’ve learnt an incredible amount over the last months working at the Brent Fixing Factory. Shelini shares with us some of the lessons that have come out of the project. She also highlights the power of our volunteers in shaping what the Fixing Factory has become. Both Shelini and Dermot make it abundantly clear that this is an ever evolving process, and that everyone who is involved is helping mould it into the best version that it can be. The Camden site will be shaped by the months of experimentation already done at the Brent site. But with a different type of location and more opportunities for public engagement, there are also a whole raft of new lessons to be learned.

They share some wonderful stories of how the Fixing Factory project has affected both volunteers and patrons alike. From helping exchange students find inner-confidence to encouraging a member of the public to further advance her education in fixing. It’s stories like these that give us inspiration as the project progresses.

Links

Fixing Factory

Read more about the Camden launch

Restart Radio: Introducing Fixing Factories

Possible

Upcoming events

[Images by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 2.0.]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 80: Voices of Fixfest 2022 Oct 27, 2022

From 30th September – 2nd October, members of the repair community from all over the world gathered together to share their ideas and passion at Fixfest 2022. From fixers and tinkerers, to academics and activists we all had something to teach and learn from each other. It was a chance to explore new ideas, hear different perspectives, and – perhaps most importantly – interact in person for the first time in a while.

In this episode, we wanted to make the most of this rare opportunity. We spoke to 7 Fixfest attendees about where repair is now and where they hope to see it in the future. You’ll hear a host of different voices including:

Clare Seek from Repair Café Portsmouth, UK
Nathan Proctor from PIRG, USA
Melina Scioli from Club de Reparadores, Argentina
Leanne Wiseman from Griffith University, Australia
Purna Sarkar from Repair Café Bengaluru, India
Mathew Lubari from Community Creativity for Development (CC4D), Uganda
Mike Kavanagh from Repair Café Pavia, Italy

What does Repair Everywhere mean to you?

The theme for 2022’s Repair Day, also celebrated this October, was ‘Repair Everywhere’, and we wanted to know what this phrase meant to our community. To some it was an aspiration, a desire for repair to be visible everywhere – in schools, community centres, in our media, on high streets, and even in prisons. For others, it represents the overwhelming prevalence of repair in our lives and culture. Our speakers argue that it’s not that repair isn’t happening, rather that it’s not being highlighted as the essential tool that it is.

Repair’s impact on cost of living

The cost of living crisis has been all-consuming recently. We know that repair and reuse will be integral tools to tackle this issue and help those who cannot afford to buy new. But we’re curious to know how this presents in other parts of the world.

Looking to the future of repair policy

We also delved into the state of the Right to Repair movement across the globe. We are all at different points in our fight for a real Right to Repair. For some, the movement is almost non-existent in their country. Mathew tells us how excited he is to be the first person to bring this issue to light in his country. In the US, it seems that public opinion is in firm support of Right to Repair, now it’s time to push for this right to be legally supported and protected. Leanne tells us about the burgeoning movement in Australia, and the steps that have been taken by their government to put the wheels in motion on what the Right to Repair could look like in their country.

Ultimately, we’re all at different stages of our journey towards Right to Repair. But one thing that Fixfest showed us is how united we are in the goal of bringing back repair.

Links:

[Feature image by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 2.0.]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 79: eSpares wants you to clean your filters Sep 29, 2022

This month, we had a very handy conversation with some friends from our sponsor eSpares. Eleanor Cochrane and Mariya Peynova are the Brand Manager and Social Media Manager for eSpares, respectively. We took this opportunity to properly introduce our listeners to their work and also answer a few questions about household repair and maintenance. In the process, we learned that there is probably a lot more regular maintenance that we should all be doing.

This advice came at a perfect time, as we’re encouraging everyone to give their things a new lease of life in the lead up to Repair Day on 15th October. You can learn more about how we’re celebrating and get involved here!

Dare to repair

First, we chatted about how eSpares are empowering their customers to fix their own stuff. They tell us about the trove of repair manuals, tutorials, and more that can be found on their website. Eleanor also shares her own stories of initial DIY repairs and her experience of the concerns that many beginners will have. They hope that the content on their website and the support that they provide will give customers more confidence to give repairing a go.

“What we do try and do is educate people about their rights…this should be something that they’re entitled to. Choice is something that we should always have when it comes to machines that we have bought.”

We discuss accessibility of spare parts and the way that consumer calls for repairability have progressed over recent years. Mariya posits that due to the rising cost of living, people are more keen to repair their things. They also share an anecdote which proves that this is definitely the right thinking. One of their customers managed to repair a second-hand range oven and save thousands of pounds in the process. Eleanor and Mariya use these types of stories to prove that repair is really possible for everyone (even if manufacturers make it difficult on purpose) if you have good support and learning materials.

Maintenance: a very good place to start

In the second half of the episode, Eleanor and Mariya answer repair queries sent in by the public. They share the most common and first port of call fixes that are likely to be causing the problem. A lot of these fixes are related to maintenance of your machine. They recommend that you regularly check the filter of your washing machine, tumble dryer, and vacuum cleaner. It’s a super helpful reminder and encouraging that a relatively small fix can be the answer to your machine working 100% again.

If you want to attempt any of these fixes or something more technically complicated, the information and help that you need are on the eSpares site. Eleanor tells us about all the channels that they are using to spread repair information and tutorials. There are so many written tutorials on their website, or if you are more visually inclined they also regularly post on their YouTube channel and TikTok account.

The key take away from our chat with Eleanor and Mariya is: don’t be afraid to try repair. Even if you’re not feeling confident now, there is a plethora of information out there and often, someone to offer moral support along the way. Now go clean those vacuum filters!

Links:

eSpares website
eSpares YouTube
Try one of these fixes on Repair Day 2022

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Restart Podcast Ep. 78: Meet our new(ish) Co-Director, Fiona Dear Jul 25, 2022

To wrap up our summer season, we’re giving listeners a proper introduction to Restart’s new(ish) Co-Director, Fiona Dear. You will have heard Fiona’s voice a couple times on Restart Radio in the last few months, and her fingerprints are all over the new projects that we’re working on. Dave spoke to Fiona when she had just joined Restart to have a conversation about how she became the perfect fit for her new role.

A journey through repair

Starting out as a student of repair, Fiona tells us about the differences between experiencing Restart Parties as an attendee versus organiser. Fiona’s repair background is mostly in the realm of mending and upcycling. She tells us about her rather swift introduction to electrical repair after having to repair her phone only weeks after joining Restart. It was a challenge but with the help of both our community and professional repairers, she managed to successfully save her device. She shares how this experience opened her eyes to the importance of in-person repairing and learning from one another.

Conservation at home and abroad

From Costa Rica to North London, Fiona has been making change. She shares her experience of studying conservation of Scarlet macaws in the rainforest and the winding path that led her to focus her masters dissertation on human behaviour.

In her own neighbourhood, Fiona has also been making change. She has campaigned for a low traffic zone, introduced regular Play Street sessions, and organised a waste reduction project. This work in her personal life only shows how massive her impact will be at Restart. Through this, in addition to intensive experience working for The Climate Coalition and on Great Big Green Week, she has built an in-depth understanding of how to engage and mobilise the public.

Shaping the future of Restart

Since she started at Restart, Fiona hit the ground running working on Fixing Factories. With one location already open in Brent and another coming to Camden in the fall, it’s an incredibly exciting project with some brilliant partners involved. The project allows us to push for digital inclusion while engaging further with the public – hopefully, inviting more people into the repair community. A perfect way to pursue Fiona’s goal of making repair mainstream.

“It’s still evolving…it’s all about extending the life of electronics. What’s coming to the fore now is reuse – laptop fixing and redistribution during the pandemic. You’ve got a lot more companies selling refurbished tech now.”

We also discuss the new directions that Restart’s work is moving in. Much of our current work like repair events, the repair directory, data work, are of course, focused on repair. Now though, we are making renewed efforts to support reuse. Fiona explains how this will come to fruition in new projects with palpable excitement.

Links:

[Feature image by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 2.0.]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 77: Reflecting on our first 10 years Jun 29, 2022

It’s a bumper episode this month but how could it not be when we’re celebrating the 10 year anniversary of our first Restart Party! This episode is an auditory snapshot of Restart as we head into our second decade as an organisation. Earlier in the month, we got together with volunteers, allies, longtime collaborators and supporters to celebrate the last 10 years. While we were there, Dave caught up with some of our guests for a moment of conversation and reflection.

Back to the beginning

So first, how are we all feeling? Ugo and Janet both reflect on the initial goals of Restart and why they started the organisation. They were inspired by their work in the Global South and witnessing how people kept their things going – often out of necessity. Seeing this in contrast to overconsumption in the Global North, pushed them to bring that approach to the London community. Ugo discusses how surprised he was by the enthusiasm they saw at that first event and how it has only continued to motivate our work since. From our founders to trustees, looking back on the last decade is emotional and rewarding.

“We figured out that it was entirely possible, doable, and actually quite exciting and fun. And that has been always at the heart – making sure that it is fun, it’s inclusive, it’s engaging, and it increases your own confidence in trying to repair and save things from getting lost and wasted.”

Ugo says that Restart’s aims have not actually changed very much in the last decade. Rather, they have scaled up and found other avenues through which to make change. While the community events that Restart was founded on are still key to our strategy. So is Right to Repair campaigning, data interpreting and system change at scale.

How has fixing impacted you?

We hear from trustees and historic volunteers about their favourite moments of Restart and their favourite fixes. The overwhelming answer seems to be: all of them! And there is a clear sense that what is gained from community repair is not just the working device but the knowledge gained and skills shared.

“Whatever you are fixing, it’s just as much fun…Even if it’s a simple fix, somebody goes home happy. You got home happy because you found something interesting out about something, had a nice chat with someone. That’s what the important thing is the human relationships.”

Ugo gives praise to our volunteers for always being here to help us learn and grow. Whether it is explaining the technicalities of repairs, to providing essential feedback on how best to run events, our community are vital.

Feeling proud of the past, and looking to the future

Ugo shares some of his proudest moments in Restart’s last decade. He highlights the policy gains that we have made and the growth and influence of Right to Repair across Europe and elsewhere. We have a long way to go but we are more than ready to take this work on. He points out that we will not achieve our goal by relying on manufacturers to make altruistic change. Rather, we need to push lawmakers to legislation that guarantees our Right to Repair. This way, we can reduce waste and make a dent in the massive challenge of the climate crisis. (We’re also super happy to hear that the podcast itself has been influencing policy makers!)

Janet also highlights the need to work more with young people. Whether by upping numbers of younger attendees at events or training the next generation of professional repairers. This work has already begun with the Fixing Factory project and partnerships with amazing organisations like Mer-IT. Getting the public and new faces involved is a big part of how we hope Restart’s message can continue to grow.

Thanks to Janet, Mike, Fidi, Sophia, Ben, Panda, Dave, and Stefania for talking to us. And thank YOU for being a part of Restart in the last 10 years – we hope you are looking forward to the next decade.

Links:

[Feature image by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 4.0.]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 76: Funky phones and durable design, with Ben Wood May 24, 2022

This month, we were super excited to talk to Ben Wood. Ben is Chief Analyst at CCS Insight and also the founder of the Mobile Phone Museum. All this to say, Ben is an expert in the field of mobile phone design and history. We talked to him about some of the coolest phone design trends of the past and what innovation is still happening. He also shared some very encouraging statistics from consumer studies that CCS Insight have conducted. These show that repairability and long-lasting devices are at the front of consumers’ minds.

Why did the Mobile Phone Museum start?

Ben tells us about the inception of the Mobile Phone Museum, a collection of over 5,000 devices. He started the collection when he witnessed the disposal of phones in which he recognised historic and educational value. From then on, he set his sights on saving and preserving these retired devices.

Not all of the phones are truly functioning but they are carefully stored with design integrity in mind. Ben tells us about some of the sneaky swaps they make – like curly cords from guitar amps – to keep the phones looking their most authentic. The phones are all archived on the museum’s website and it’s wonderful to see the array of shapes and colours that purvey older phone design.

In 2021, the collection was temporarily exhibited in person for public viewing and Ben hopes that similar events can start up again soon. They also bring the collection into schools in the hope that it will inspire the next generation of designers. Education is integral to the mission of the Mobile Phone Museum, especially as newer generations grow up with smartphones as the norm. If you would like to explore the collection, each model has been beautifully photographed on the museum’s website.

Resistant and repairable rainbow phones

Early Nokia models like the 2110, and the Motorola V70 are among Ben’s favourite phones in the collection. And he seems to have a penchant for the nostalgic entries. He also tells us about some stand-out designs like a phone modelled after a James Bond gadget, and a rainbow Motorola.

Our big question was: were mobile phones more repairable in the past? Ben says that they were definitely more durable. If your phone screen was less likely to break in the first place, there was less need to repair it. But it is true that the modularity of these older models made them simpler to take apart and replace these broken parts. Ben makes a case for Fairphone being the glimmer of hope for a more repairable future. This return to modularity would make spare part replacements easier and upgrades as well.

Is actual innovation still happening?

Ben believes that innovation in smartphone design has been slowing down rapidly in recent years. In comparison to the massive leaps in camera spec that we might have seen in the 2000s and 2010s. The visual design of phones has also become very homogenous, leaving little variation between models.

“The honest truth at the moment is phones have got pretty boring since Steve Jobs walks onto the stage in San Francisco in January 2007 and pulled the iPhone out of his pocket. And that really established this dominant design of the black rectangle with a touch screen and a camera on the back. And that’s the world that we’ve lived in.”

While not optimal for screen replacement, he is excited by the folding displays that have recently entered the market. We agree that this lack of innovation though may be helpful in slowing down consumer demand. At the moment, it seems that manufacturers are having to use gimmicks like new colourschemes, rather than undertaking real innovation in the sector.

Consumers are calling for repair

What’s really exciting for our work at Restart are the studies from CCS Insight’s Connected Consumer Radar. They found that “compared to 12 months ago, we now see that 57% of consumers are more conscious about the impact that their purchases are making on the environment.” He also shares that the length of time that customers are keeping their phones has gotten longer and that more people have the desire to repair their devices when they break. What is important then, is making these repairs possible. This is what we push for on the Right to Repair campaign.

“Making a phone last is much more than just the physical aspects of the device…can you get the security updates onto the device? And right now it’s very, very encouraging to see phone manufacturers starting to say that they will support updates for at least four years.”

Ben has hope that repair will become more common and possible, citing recent moves by major manufacturers towards this. He also notes that legislation will be needed to ensure that these early moves snowball into more substantial change. Again, he says that companies like Fairphone are leading the way in terms of repair innovation and hopes that this level of modularity will become more common as the market changes.

Links:

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Fixing Factories school visit — **Restart Radio: Introducing Fixing Factories** May 12, 2022
We’ve had a busy month here at Restart. On April 23rd, we launched the first Fixing Factory site in the Abbey Road Reuse and Recycling Centre, Brent. It’s a project that we are ecstatic has finally become a reality and we can’t wait to see how it blossoms. For this episode of Restart Radio, Ugo Vallauri is joined by our Co-Director, Fiona Dear and London Network Coordinator, Shelini Kotecha. They have been working closely on the project and shared with us the experience so far.

Self-repair on the horizon

Firstly though, we discuss some recent news stories in the world of electronics repair. Last week, it was announced that the Austrian Repair Bonus was coming into action across the country. This made us more than a little envious. We then cover a study released by Microsoft which makes a surprisingly strong case for increased product repairability (not that that’s news to us). In a similar vein, Samsung, Google, and Apple have all recently announced steps towards self-repair, including the availability of spare parts. We break down how effective these moves might be and what needs to happen next to achieve a real Right to Repair.

What are Fixing Factories?

Fiona and Shelini tell us how the opening of the first Fixing Factory location went. We celebrated the day in Brent with partners on the project and it was wonderful to see the space come to life. Fiona explains how the Fixing Factory project first came about and our collaboration with Possible and other partners to make a longtime dream of Restart come true. We outline the mission to bring repair into view of the public and provide learning opportunities. As part of this goal, Fiona tells us about the school that they visited just ahead of launch in order to promote the project to young people, and get feedback. It’s inspiring to see how passionate and interested the school children were in repair, even after just a couple of hours of tinkering inside a phone.

We’re working with a lot of amazing partners on this project, including Ready Tech Go, Possible, West London Waste Authority and Mer-IT, many of which you may have heard on Restart Radio at some point. Shelini tells us about the work that Ready Tech Go is doing at the Brent site, refurbishing used laptops to donate them to people in need. In fact, if you have a laptop you’re no longer using you can get involved today! You can either drop it off at the Brent site or visit one of our dropboxes at Greenford Recycling Centre or Townmead Recycling Centre. Find the details here.

What’s next?

Lastly, Shelini and Fiona look toward the future and share with us the vision for the second location. In the summer, Fixing Factories will come to a high street in Camden with the support of Possible. We hope to provide a community space for repair and encourage people’s curiosity about fixing. With the support of Mer-IT, we also plan to teach repair skills to future technicians. Through this course and volunteering opportunities, we hope to create career pathways for young people and support a thriving repair economy in London.

Links:

Fixing Factory

Fixing Factories: And we’re off

Grist: Apple just launched its first self-repair program. Other tech companies are about to follow

The Verge: Samsung is working on a Galaxy self-repair program with iFixit

Motherboard: Google Will Sell Pixel Batteries, Repair Parts to Customers

iFixit: Apple’s Self-Repair Vision Is Here, and It’s Got a Catch

iPad Rehab: Apple’s Self Repair: These conditions should be ILLEGAL!

Restart Podcast Ep. 74: Why digital access is a right, with Ready Tech Go

Restart Radio: Reusing laptops for digital inclusion with Mer-IT and Hackney Fixers

[Images by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 4.0.]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 75: The law and repair: it’s complicated, with Aaron Perzanowski Apr 28, 2022

This month, we welcomed back Aaron Perzanowski to talk about his new book, The Right to Repair: Reclaiming the Things We Own. In the book, he explores how we got to this point of companies weaponising the law to make repair inaccessible and how legal reform can help. We discuss the developments in the technological and legal landscape that pushed him to revisit the topic of repair.

What we lose with ‘centralised’ repair

Perzanowski’s writing on ‘communities of common interest’ will particularly resonate with the Restart community. He explains the multiple ways that authorised repair systems negatively impact consumers. They not only make it more practically difficult to repair our things but also strip learning opportunities from us. It reminds us of what is so important about coming together at repair events to fix collaboratively.

And it’s not just independent repairers or the environment that gets damaged by such restrictive repair. The last time we spoke to Perzanowski, we considered how authorised repair could affect us during the pandemic. We question whether we learned from the experiences of the last two years and how correct we were. What has really been exposed, he says, is the fragility of these centralised systems.

“That’s the big lesson in repair generally, right? We have to be prepared for things to go wrong. And too often, our systems right now simply are not ready or willing to anticipate the sort of inevitable disruptions that make repair necessary in the first place.”

Weaponising vs. reforming the law

We’re curious to know how it can be possible that repair is so controlled. Perzanowski explains the different laws that have allowed manufacturers to limit independent repair so greatly. He cites the use of software locks and digital patents as two of the most pressing issues in this space. We’ve heard first-hand that software locks and part serialisation are affecting many independent repairers and that we talk to.

Repairers know all too well how disheartening it can be to see the law be used to block repair. But there is hope. Perzanowski shares some ways in which the law can actually be used to protect repair and what changes can be made. Some of this framework is already in place but he believes that the long-term approach we take needs major reform.

Recently, the Federal Trade Commission in the US took steps toward supporting the Right to Repair. They also plan on enforcing existing rules more aggressively. But Perzanowski says we need bolder and more innovative action. We discuss how we can use both competition and consumer rights laws to tackle the issues of centralised repair. There is a strong case for barring companies like Apple from claiming to repair devices when this is far from the truth. He learned from personal experience that what Apple claims to be ‘repair’ is really just selling customers a refurbished device as a replacement.

When comparing governing styles, Perzanowski notes the difference in approaches between the EU and the US in their willingness to directly regulate manufacturers. He believes that the EU will lead the way on this issue – hopefully, creating a domino effect that influences global markets.

A non-partisan issue

One of the biggest glimmers of hope is the overwhelming public support for Right to Repair. According to research that Perzanowski undertook for his book – as well as polling conducted by Restart – R2R is a cause that crosses partisan boundaries, unlike other issues. He praises the work that R2R advocates have been doing in the US and believes that state-level change is a good starting point. Hopefully, putting pressure on major manufacturers will work hand in hand to create change.

Link:

[Feature image courtesy of Aaron Perzanowski]

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**Restart Podcast Ep. 74: Why digital access is a right, with Ready Tech Go** Mar 28, 2022
With the opening of the first Fixing Factory fast approaching, we spoke to one of the partners we’ll be working with, Ready Tech Go (RTG). Nikos Souslous is one of the Co-Founders of Ready Tech Go. He talked to us about what inspired the organisation’s creation, the importance of digital access, and how RTG is going to evolve.

Recognising the need for digital access

The idea for RTG was born at a food bank at the Clem Attlee Court Estate in Fulham, where co-founders were volunteering during the first UK lockdown. While helping those in need, they realised there was a different demand that needed addressing. Once schools stopped in-person teaching and community centres closed to the public, many people were struggling without online access. So, they set to work pooling their contacts and expertise to meet this need. RTG, an organisation that refurbishes and redistributes tech, was born.

Since then, RTG has helped over 500 people and their families by giving them a device. And it’s not only students that have benefited. RTG help out anyone who is recommended to them as in need. This includes school children, refugees, elderly people, and those who need to access services like applying for housing. Souslous shares examples with us of some of the lives that have been changed by their work, including a family with multiple children who previously shared a single device for schoolwork.

Understanding their community

As an organisation led by people of colour, Nikos tells us how they have been able to empathise with the communities that they are helping. He explains that “the vast majority of [their] beneficiaries are of ethnic minority background” and their own experiences mean that they better understand their beneficiaries’ needs.

He also challenges the view that many hold about West London as an affluent area. Souslous points out that there is a huge disparity between communities. While this is a display of the wealth divide that the country suffers from, it also means that neighbours are able to help each other. He notes that there have been cases where a device has been donated to someone across the street from the donor, without either party knowing each other previously.

Fixing Factories and the future

RTG is working with Restart on the Brent Fixing Factory that is opening in April. Souslous tells us how this project means that they can expand their team that has previously been majority volunteer-led. It’s a great time to build on and celebrate the work that they have done with existing partners, as well as expand further. We’re looking forward to catching up with the RTG team and other partners in a few months – until then stay tuned for developments!

Links

Ready Tech Go

Donate a device to Ready Tech Go

Our directory of laptop reuse projects across the UK

Learn more about the Fixing Factories project

[Photos courtesy of Ready Tech Go]

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**Restart Podcast Ep. 73: Repair Café Aotearoa New Zealand** Feb 25, 2022
Four months after its launch on Repair Day 2021, we spoke to four people involved in the repair network, Repair Café Aotearoa New Zealand. Brigitte Sistig is the co-founder and project lead of RCANZ. Kahurangi Carter is National Coordinator for Māori Zero Waste organisation Para Kore. Sarah Pritchett is Sector Projects Manager for WasteMINZ. And Dr Paul Smith is Product Test Manager for Consumer NZ.

Talking to the RCANZ network really reveals the diversity and partnership that is essential to the repair movement. Their attitude towards inclusivity is something that all can learn from. It is also good to know we are aligned in our fight for the Right to Repair, even on the other side of the world.

How repair respects the earth

Carter starts us off with a traditional prayer to Ranginui and Papatūānuku. It’s a practice that “grounds us and connects us to our Sky Father and Earth Mother”. Carter speaks about the way that repair can act as a way to give back and respect the earth. It also encourages us to think about where our belongings really come from, rethinking their value. This sets the tone for our conversation on how the ethic and the history of Aotearoa inspire people to repair their things.

“This is really the land of the Number 8 Wire – creativity, ingenuity. A culture where we just need to be very resourceful because we are very few people across quite a large landscape. And so you may not have access to parts or resources, or the means or funds to buy any new items.”

Pritchett and Sistig also note the history and geography of Aotearoa meant that repair was the only option for a very long time. While the economy and global trade have now changed this, there is still an ingrained sense of scarcity and the need for autonomy. It is good to have options but they both note that a flourishing of this mindset would have many positive impacts.

Using partnership to change policy

We also discuss the petition that RCANZ is running in partnership with Consumer NZ, Greenpeace and more. They are calling for the government to:

Pass laws that require products to last longer and be easier to repair

Take action to make repair services accessible and affordable for everyone

Ensure consumers have access to information on product repairability and durability

Require producers to offer spare parts and repair services

These asks are very similar to what we are asking for here in the UK, and across Europe as well. But it is rare that consumer groups and community repairers work so closely together. Smith tells us about the power that this collaboration brings, describing Consumer NZ as a “megaphone for individuals”. He also tells us what learning they’ve done after watching the implementation of repairability indexes in Europe.

The future of RCANZ

Many of the proudest moments of RCANZ are linked to community building and the way that they have continued to grow and thrive despite the challenges of the last two years. Pritchett and Carter tell stories from repair cafés in Ōtautahi Christchurch where it was heartening to see people come together in a city that has endured recent crises. These are just a couple of examples of the resilience and solidarity of RCANZ and we cannot wait to see what comes next.

Links:

Find RCANZ on Facebook and Instagram

Para Kore

WasteMINZ

Consumer NZ

Map of Repair Cafes in Aotearoa

Make it our Right to Repair petition by RCANZ

Sign Restart’s Right to Repair petition

Learn more about the Number 8 Wire

[Images courtesy of RCANZ and Christchurch Repair Revolution]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 72: Maintaining your bike and your community, with Jenni Gwiazdowski Jan 27, 2022

As 2022 gets on the road, we spoke to Jenni Gwiazdowski, founder and Director of London Bike Kitchen. With cycling taking more prominence in recent years, due to concerns about pollution and safety on public transport, what better time to learn more about maintaining and fixing your bike? Gwiazdowski tells us about her journey from amateur fixer to bike repair savant and sharing these skills.

A decade of London Bike Kitchen

The idea for London Bike Kitchen was conceived when Gwiazdowski wanted to learn how to build and maintain her own bike. After learning about the concept of bike kitchens from a friend, she decided to start her own, as London was lacking this type of space. Since its opening in 2012, LBK has taught people of all backgrounds how to maintain and repair their bikes and also fostered a diverse and welcoming community. They had to change their practices due to the pandemic but carried on teaching online. Gwiazdowski tells us about the challenges that this presented and how interactivity stayed integral to their work.

Championing inclusion in cycling and repair

Gwiazdowski is also co-founder of Women of Colour Cycling Collective and LBK regularly hold online WAG (Women and Gender Variant) Nights. She works hard to encourage those who do not necessarily feel represented or welcome in traditional workshop spaces. We talk about how the repair community can make events more inclusive. She points out that it is integral that members of minority groups are already present – and often leading – these spaces.

Old, new barriers and proprietary parts

There are also changes happening in the production of bikes, with the rise of proprietary parts and designs that make repairing much more difficult, and often more expensive. This is a trend that Gwiazdowski – and us as a repair community – hope does not catch on. She tells us of a couple of instances that exemplify how these business practices create additional barriers to repair.

“The current new bikes that are coming out with proprietary fittings and proprietary parts, that drives me crazy…I wish I could smack the industry and just be like, don’t do this. I know all you care about is money but think about something else for a second and think about the repairability of a bike.”

Alongside the inaccessibility and cost of new parts, supply chains for bike parts in general have been disrupted by the pandemic. The inability to get common parts like cassettes without warning has inhibited their work and will probably continue.

The state of cycling today

There are also changes happening in the culture of cycling. In terms of being on the road, Gwiazdowski says that there is still a long way to go. But conversation shifts in recent years mean that the safety of cyclists is starting to be considered, with more bike lanes being introduced across London.

However, now the focus needs to be directed at making cycling safer for everyone – not just those that are able-bodied or riding road bikes. She quotes Wheels for Wellbeing Director, Isabelle Clement, saying “when you build for the most vulnerable, you create the most inclusive infrastructure.” Wider, more accessible bike lanes mean that those on unconventional bikes like cargo bikes, and families can ride more safely. This is the direction that she hopes cycling and road infrastructure goes.

Links:

[Photo courtesy of Jenni Gwiazdowski]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 71: Fixing at Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement Dec 22, 2021

Having spent the year talking to many activists, authors and repairers in the UK and Europe, we thought we would hear from somewhere a bit further away from home.

We spoke to Mathew Lubari, a repairer from the Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement in Uganda. Lubari is the founder and a team leader at Community Creativity for Development (CC4D), an environmental initiative based at the settlement. What we learned is that the same barriers exist here in the UK and EU as they do elsewhere, but for many people these barriers are much more challenging.

How he began and how the repair cafes work

Lubari first got interested in repair by watching his father and then while at university in Uganda, but when he had to flee his home of South Sudan, repair took on a whole new role in his life. Lubari tells us about the makeshift toolkit that he managed to take with him when he came to the camp. It included rudimentary tools including scissors, a boxcutter, a screwdriver and a toothbrush and he had to undertake repairs for a while before tools became accessible.

CC4D runs training courses, teaching essential repair skills to those at the camp. Through these courses, Lubari hopes to improve the conditions of those living at the camp by giving them more autonomy and a way to make a living. They also teach on the environmental benefits of repair, especially in relation to how e-waste impacts the health of their area.

How repair helps – and the barriers

Lubari explains how repair allows those living at the camp to continue on with their lives with more independence. Whether it is being able to contact loved ones, view the news, or spot dangers at night, the ability to repair their devices is essential. He also points out the importance of a device and the internet to even be able to access repair information such as manuals. This is an issue that many of us don’t consider when there are plentiful internet-enabled devices in our house.

There are many aspects of living at the refugee camp that exacerbate the barriers to repair. Without repair cafes, people have to travel extreme distances and spend money that they simply do not have in order to even get the chance to repair their things. Sometimes, Lubari says, he will wait weeks for a spare part to arrive from another city and sometimes the spare part will not even exist.

How they would like to expand?

Lubari would like to expand CC4D and their repair cafes across the entirety of the Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, serving a population of over 120,000 people. While this sounds like a massive feat, the enthusiasm and need is definitely there. He also tells about their plan to work together to collate a repair manual archive of their own, accessible by anyone in the community who needs it. You can get in touch directly with Lubari via Facebook and WhatsApp if you’d like to support his work.

Links:

[Photo courtesy of Mathew Lubari and CC4D]

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Restart Radio: Reflecting on a challenging but successful 2021 Dec 16, 2021

As 2021 draws to a close, Janet and Ugo reflected on this precarious but successful year. Despite many setbacks, we have made great strides towards the Right to Repair in both the UK and the EU – even though there is still a long way to go. In London, Restarters have also done a fantastic job supporting each other and their communities in many new ways.

This year’s top stories

The announcement of the French Repairability Index back in January set the year off on a promising trajectory for Right to Repair policy. While the Index is not perfect by any means, we discuss how it set a precedent for how other countries (and hopefully the EU) can and have been implementing repairability ratings on retail products. Countries that have followed suit include New Zealand and most recently, Spain.

A more worrying topic we reflected on was the increase in serialisation of parts. It’s an extremely technical matter but Ugo breaks down why this practice is such a concern. We’ve spoken to multiple repairers about this issue and while sometimes solvable, it is make or break for independent repair.

Here in the UK, the government did make moves towards Right to Repair. This summer, new regulations came into play that meant “manufacturers will have to make repair information and spare parts available for repairs for up to ten years for some new white goods and televisions.” While its a step in the right direction, we explain why it doesn’t go anywhere near far enough.

And our final story is a recent one. We discuss Apple’s announcement in November that they will give access to repair information and spare parts to US consumers. It was a shocking, and welcome, move but as we learned once again does not extend as far as is necessary.

What changed for community repair in 2021

We are really proud of the work that our community has done this year to help those in need have better digital access. We’ve been helping London-based organisations like Mer-IT and Catbytes with their laptop reuse projects – supporting them with repairing donated laptops and running a fundraising campaign to support laptop reuse work. The digital access movement gained steam with many outlets reporting on it, especially the BBC, and repairers were able to provide vital resources to many in need.

A lot of the laptop repair work was done by volunteers at home but as the year progressed we began to be able to repair together in person again. We talked about what that looked like and how some of the safety changes may actually be beneficial in other ways.

We discuss how repair events are also integral to our data work, collecting information about repairs and devices. This year, we sorted and analysed a lot of our data, producing solid insights to help affect policy decisions. Some of this information was also used to inform the Right to Repair campaign’s recent report on batteries.

What’s next

Ugo and Janet are optimistic as they share their hopes for 2022. These include more policy changes and global collaboration from the repair community. Thanks for listening to Restart Radio this year and continuing to support our work, we hope to see some of these goals come to fruition with your help!

Links:

[Feature image by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 4.0.]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 70: An epic journey through climate history with Alice Bell Nov 24, 2021

This month we talked to author and activist, Alice Bell about her recent book entitled, Our Biggest Experiment: An Epic History of the Climate Crisis. Bell’s extensive research into the topic along with her work as a director at Possible, made her the perfect person to join us in the month of COP26.

In November, we were thinking a lot about carbon emissions and who is most responsible for the state of our climate. Bell’s immense historical knowledge helps us understand the massive impact that the UK has had on the world trajectory towards huge consumption of fossil fuels and other damaging practices.

So where did it all begin?

We start our conversation by asking where did climate change begin – or at least where do our records start? Bell tells us about the ‘Little Ice Age’ and the factors that are thought to have caused it. Despite such early signs that human activity was causing changes to the climate, the idea that temperatures could rise was not the biggest worry back then. Unfortunately, this perception seems to have persevered in the minds of powerful figures for a long time. Even now, when the risk is much more widely recognised, severe enough action is still not being taken.

From Captain Planet to Klimastreik

Bell tells us about a few figures who were vital to the progress of climate science but who were either largely ignored or forgotten. Eunice Foote and John Tyndall both made note of the link between CO2 levels in our atmosphere and changing temperatures in the 1800s which makes you wonder how we got this far without taking action earlier. We also consider the problematic way that the onus of fixing the climate is continuously pushed onto younger generations.

Climate activism has a complicated and difficult past. We discuss the racist overtones of the overpopulation discussion and the way that this has shifted blame onto different groups over the decades. Luckily, climate science has changed a lot over the years. However, this does not mean that those responsible are doing enough.

Recognising our historic debt

Bell points out the hypocrisy of many richer nations, especially in the lead up to an event like COP26. There is evidence of fossil fuel use as far back as 4,000 years ago in Mongolia. However, industrialisation in the UK and other countries is really what set us on course for where we are today. It is essential that these countries take more responsibility for their impact.

“It’s really one of the many tragedies of the climate story – that many countries that have done very, very little to cause this problem are dealing with the biggest impacts. And also because of centuries of exploitation, they’re not in a financial position to be able to deal with this.”

It is not just responsible for the emissions that we create in the UK, but also our consumer emissions overseas. Bell points out that many of the ‘successes’ the UK have had – for example phasing out the use of coal – are only possible because of outsourcing.

And what about the future?

Bell does not have high hopes for COP26 or major world governments. But conferences are not the only way to make a change. She believes that activists and organisations like Restart, play an essential role in educating people on how they can have an impact.

Overall, it is a message of realism but also hope. Now that we have seen the outcome of COP26, there is likely a lot of disappointment or despair. However, Bell says it is not ‘game over’ just yet.

Links:

[Feature image courtesy of Alice Bell]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 69: Exploring our consumption emissions with Professor John Barrett Oct 25, 2021

We hear a lot about carbon emissions in the news and they are a major culprit in the climate crisis. Sometimes, it can be difficult to track where these emissions are coming from. Manufacturers are rarely thorough or honest in accounting for their output. As individuals, it can be frustrating to not have control over this.

In celebration of Repair Day 2021, we held a webinar alongside the European Right to Repair campaign on consumption emissions. We explored what consumption emissions are, how to minimise them, and how repair helps. In this episode, you will hear a Q&A facilitated by Ugo Vallauri and Chloé Mikolajczak. We were lucky enough to be joined by Professor John Barrett from the University of Leeds to answer these questions and give a short presentation on the topic.

What are consumption emissions?

Most simply, consumption emissions are emissions released during the production of the things that we buy. As opposed to our territorial emissions which are those produced in the UK. Barrett explains to us exactly why accounting for them is so essential in reducing the harm that we are doing to our planet. According to him, consumption emissions are “widely neglected” when considering solutions to reducing our environmental impact. Part of the reason is that they are not as visible as territorial emissions. It is more difficult for the government to claim victory in reducing them and therefore less appealing. In reality, once we do account for our consumption emissions, our national impact is almost doubled.

We also ask specifically about “Scope 3” emissions in reporting by big companies, a category that is often the most forgotten. Scope 3 emissions encompass many things but mainly the “downstream” impacts of a company’s activities, like a product being manufactured. Barrett says that it is crucial that companies become better acquainted with these impacts and account for them. He also stresses that the best way to minimise these emissions is to lower production rates in the first place.

Taking actual accountability

When we talk about minimising our carbon emissions, a common rebuttal is that our efforts as the UK are pointless unless countries like China lower their emissions too. However, Barrett helps us refute that claim by explaining the various falsehoods and the part that we have to play in these very figures. A significant part of industry in China is down to demand from consumers in places like the UK – making us accountable.

“If we don’t take responsibility for all our consumer products, we are saying that we deserve a greater percentage of the global remaining carbon pie. That to me is clearly linked to the discussion on justice and the right to develop. And the right for countries to access carbon where it is needed to enable that development.”

Barrett also pushes for accountability in managing our carbon output in consideration of the rest of the globe. The UK has the funds and resources to do better. Therefore, we must take this action on behalf of those who cannot.

How repair can help

We briefly discuss solutions for emissions reduction like carbon offsetting. However, Barrett believes that efforts like this are nowhere near enough to what is needed.

“Clearly the best way to reduce the impact of the product from the consumer element is actually not to buy it because then we know that there’s zero impact associated with it”

He points out that one of the very best ways to minimise consumption emissions is to not buy products in the first place. This does not mean that we should stop buying smartphones altogether. Rather, that if we repair instead of buying new ones so often we can minimise our individual impact. In order to make this an option for everyone, we need policy measures that make repair as accessible and simple as possible.

Links:

[Photo courtesy of Ted McGrath, is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0]

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Repair is Essential - image copyright Mark Phillips — **Restart Radio Republished: Mark Phillips photographs ‘essential’ repair** Oct 13, 2021
We revisit an episode from 2018 with photographer and friend of Restart, Mark Phillips. Phillips has an exciting exhibition, ‘Repair is Essential’, co-produced with Alex Horn of West Central London Fixers, currently showing at The Tabernacle in London. You can check it out through Sunday 17th October!

Phillips’ portfolio is expansive and immersive. In this interview, he tells us about his work photographing repair culture – from Cuba to our very own Restart Parties. In the last few years, his work has only developed more as he has spent time travelling around Europe photographing repair in Scandinavia, Germany, and professional repairers in the UK.

We have a solution to new unrepairable phones

Before we get into the interview though, we have an important announcement about Repair Day. On 16th October it is he fifth annual International Repair Day. This year the theme is “Repair lowers carbon emissions,’ in response to this year’s IPCC report and the upcoming COP26 summit. There is no better time for us to concentrate on how our work as a repair community is vital in the ongoing fight against climate change. And it is also a time to celebrate repair! Whether online or in-person we hope you get to repair together this year.

We also have a big announcement from Right to Repair EU with the launch of the 10-year smartphone campaign. We explain what the 10-year smartphone is, why it needs to be the new standard, and why you might not be able to buy one just this second. These reasons are further supported by some recent news about the new iPhone 13 and Apple’s increasingly frustrating crusade against third party repair.

Photographing ‘essential’ repair

Phillips explains to us the origins of his interest in photographing repair culture. On a trip to Cuba for an academic conference, he could not help but note the way that the people there put painstaking effort into repairing the smallest things. Phillips decided to capture this unique culture of repair and took photos of lighter refurbishers on the street and a wrench held in the door of a car – you never know when a repair will be needed. This is when he began documenting ‘the never-ending life of Cuban things’. Since then, Phillips has embarked across the globe to photograph repairers of all kinds – including much of our local repair community here in London.

The drive to repair exists for many different reasons. In Cuba and Ghana, for example, this drive is often born out of necessity. While recognising the unfortunate circumstances, we can learn from those who are constantly being forced to innovate and reuse what they already have. By documenting this repair culture, Phillips encourages us to think of the opportunities that we have and expand our understanding of why repairing is so essential – as is the focus of Phillips’ exhibition.

Documenting repair at home

While Phillips has spent a lot of time photographing repair culture abroad, he also is very involved in photographing our London community. From repair businesses to Restart Parties, if you love an image we have shared it was likely taken by him. We know that photographing in these spaces can be challenging and Phillips tells us more about why. This is only part of the reason that we are so thankful for his work with us over the years.

Finally, we share our views on the future of repair culture. Mark tells us about some sustainable design projects that have inspired him and given him hope. However, we also note the lack of these projects. Since this discussion, we have fortunately seen more of these examples pop up. Nonetheless, there is always room for innovation and this work becomes more urgent and essential every day.

Links:

Repair is essential: an exploration of repair culture in Cuba

Get involved in Repair Day 2021

Find out more about the 10 year smartphone

Euronews: iPhone 13 screen cracked? Here’s how Apple stops Face ID working if you try to fix it yourself

Mark A Phillips Photography

Restart Radio: Photographing repair culture

[Images by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 4.0.]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 68: Inequalities in UK craft and making, with Dr Karen Patel Sep 29, 2021

This month we spoke to Dr Karen Patel from Birmingham City University about her work on Craft Expertise, a project researching inequalities in the craft sector and documenting experiences of makers from marginalised backgrounds. Dr Patel interviewed over 20 women on their experiences in craft.

Her research pertains specifically to the craft sector but we found that there are many similarities to the repair community – both positive and negative. Dr Patel shared insights with us from her research and we considered how we can support minority groups in our own repair community.

Barriers in craft

There are multiple barriers to success – and simply to entry – into the craft world, mirroring those we see in repair. Dr Patel discussed how these are often related to people’s identities and pointed at minority groups.

For example, those who come from a working-class background may find it harder to build a career in craft. Craft is viewed by many as precarious work and even by some parents of craftspeople, is treated as a hobby rather than a job. Along with its lack of inclusion in school curriculums and higher education, this view only becomes reinforced further.

For female makers and makers of colour, Dr Patel tells us about the lack of safe spaces in the craft sector. Studios, fairs, classrooms and more are all spaces that are often white and disproportionately male-dominated. This means that other makers can feel unwelcome, unsupported and unsafe in these environments.

The report found that microaggressions were an all too common occurrence in the craft sector. Almost all of the women interviewed reported these or worse.

We discuss how microaggressions can be extremely difficult to report and act on as they are often behaviours that are difficult to identify and therefore report. Another form of discrimination is the exotification, and resulting devaluing of expertise and experience, when it comes to makers of colour creating cultural objects.

How to tackle these inequalities?

Like craft, the repair sector can feel like a very male-dominated space. While our community is explicitly a radically open and supportive space, we have received comments in the past from women who have not felt respected or listened to by male peers.

We ask Dr Patel if our Rosie the Restarter skillshares are a good tactic for supporting female-identifying and non-binary repairers in the repair community.

We also have an essential discussion about how we could better tackle incidents of discrimination at Restart Parties or in the extended online space. This includes making the process safer and easier to report these occurrences if they do happen.

Finally, we talked about the dynamics around gendered activities. Binaries around who craft and repair are traditionally for are limiting for everyone. We commit to working to make our community more inclusive and equal for all.

Links:

[Feature image courtesy of Dr Karen Patel]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 67: Reflecting on repair during the pandemic Aug 26, 2021

Our summer podcast season has come to a close and what a time it’s been! We revisited our archive and picked some of the episodes where our discussion touched on the pandemic and the events of the last eighteen months.

Throughout the episode, we hear select clips from nine recent guests and situate these discussions. We cover healthcare, from patents and barriers to medical device repair. We reflect on how workers in the electronics industry have been negatively affected including those working in factories in Asia, to professional repairers on the high streets of London.

False and real silver linings during the pandemic

There were a lot of expectations at the beginning of the pandemic about how measures like lockdown might have a silver lining in terms of lowering carbon emissions. We hear how this was not necessarily the case and instead learn what active changes we can campaign for to make a real difference.

Luckily, we also had some big glimmers of hope and optimism in our community over the last year. We spoke to repairers who were fixing donated laptops to give to those in need and an artist who managed to create a stunning piece of interactive art to bring joy to the community despite the circumstances.

Links:

Restart Podcast Ep. 51: Copyright law, ownership and crisis with Aaron Perzanowski
U.S. PIRG: 43,000 call on ventilator manufacturers to release repair information
U.S. PIRG: Hospital technicians renew urgent call for Right to Repair medical equipment
Restart Radio: Reuse and repair with two frontline medical professionals
Restart Podcast Ep. 60: Helping electronics workers improve conditions
Restart Radio: Reusing laptops for digital inclusion with Mer-IT and Hackney Fixers
Restart Podcast Ep. 54: Shoes and urgent system change with Tansy Hoskins
Restart Podcast Ep. 52: Combining nostalgia with the new at Armstrong Audio
Restart Podcast Ep. 59: Lasers lighting up the sky, with Seb Lee-Delisle

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Restart Radio: A small ask Aug 12, 2021

Happy August, listeners! We’re on our summer break but there will be a special podcast episode in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we have a simple ask for your help.

Please take a couple of minutes to complete the Restart Radio listeners survey.

The last time we conducted a survey of listeners was in 2019 and we found it incredibly helpful and took action based on many of your suggestions – this included the type of guests that we brought on, building the archive page for easier navigation of content, and transcripts which we are working on creating for each episode.

We really appreciate everyone who has taken the time to respond so far. We heard from a listener in Canada who commented that our “variety of subject on sustainability and repair is years beyond other outlets” which is part of the reason why we see value in producing the shows.

We’re also interested to hear that multiple listeners would like us to get more into the ‘nitty gritty’ about repair, pointing to our serialisation episode as a stand out in this area – which we are proud of!

We’d love to hear what you think of the content that we have been creating – what have you liked and what we could improve. We haven’t had quite as much of a response as we did last time we conducted one of these surveys so please if you haven’t done it yet go fill it in. We look forward to hearing from you!

Fill in the survey here!

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Restart Podcast Ep. 66: Ancient cob building, part of a low-tech future Jul 28, 2021

As summer gets into full swing, we get down and dirty with a craft that is all about unlocking the natural resources that we are standing right on top of – cob building.

Kate Edwards runs Edwards Cob Building where she teaches complete beginners how to build a cob house – literally – from the ground up. In addition to her teaching, Edwards also works on many original buildings and renovations, historical restoration and art pieces. We talked to Edwards about the sustainability of cob and why this ancient practice is the future of building.

The real ‘green’ building

So why is cob building so sustainable? Well, for one, you might be able to find all of the resources to make cob in your own garden. Cob is a mixture of clay, subsoil, gravel and straw which dries naturally in the sun. As a result, for many builds no fuel is used in transporting resources and there is no manufacturing involved.

“Cement alone is responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions. And the modern building industry is responsible for 45% of CO2 emissions. So you just feel like, wow, what if I could do something more friendly to the planet?”

It’s also completely repairable and reusable. Edwards tells us about buildings made with natural materials that have stood in Jericho since 8,000 BC.

Cob buildings are remarkably easy to maintain and repair. If a part of the wall chips off, all you have to do is slap a handful of cob back on there. Even if a cob building needs to be knocked down, the materials can just be used to build another! Edwards says this is why other types of ‘green’ building methods cannot even compare.

How cob can be empowering

We’ve discussed the potential held in low-tech before on the podcast and cob mirrors many of these benefits. It also gives autonomy and power back to the builder. Edwards relates that many people who come on her courses are making an effort to reconnect with the natural world.

Making things with our hands affords a type of autonomy and fulfilment that is not gained through conventional building practices. Edwards hopes that we can unlearn the ways that industrialisation changed building. Hopefully, more people will gain the confidence to build their own homes from the materials around them.

“It literally changes people’s lives because people have this utter realisation that they can do it and they can create something that’s valuable from nothing – from mud. It’s utterly transformative.”

While Edwards jokes that these reasons for loving cob may seem “hippy-dippy”, there are also legitimate structural and health benefits to this practice.

Since cob houses are built from natural resources, these materials do not contain the same chemicals as more conventional modern builds. As a result, houses will not develop issues like damp and the damage that comes along with it and inhabitants may be less likely to develop asthma or similar conditions.

Art, culture and “CobBauge”

It’s clear that the resurgence of cob building is only going to continue to grow. It isn’t just houses or renovations that Edwards builds either. She loves cob partly because of her passion for sculpture and is regularly involved in art commissions and historical restorations.

She tells us about a few of her upcoming projects alongside other builders and sculptors from across the UK, France and India. Despite the barriers to cob becoming widespread in its use once more, the work that Edwards does is proving its power.

Links:

[Photo courtesy of Edwards Cob Building]

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Restart Radio: Our 2021 Summer Reading List Jul 14, 2021

Before we get into the news and our Summer Reading List, here’s a plea to respond to our listener survey. We last did one of these in 2019 and found it really helpful in improving our work and making sure that our listeners enjoy the content that we produce. Fill it in here!

Right to Repair – in the UK and abroad

Has the news in the UK surrounding Right to Repair been giving you deja vu? For us, it feels like forever since the UK government first announced these changes and since they were adopted in Europe back in March. The rules that came into effect last week mean that repairing all new white goods, including dishwashers, washing machines, fridges, and TVs, must be better supported by the long-term availability of spare parts. Overall, it is a move forward but some of the media reporting surrounding the regulations was misleading.

In the US, there was also positive news for Right to Repair. President Biden issues an executive order that gives the Federal Trade Commission increased powers to enforce rules helping independent repair compete. We also hear Steve Wozniak – co-founder of Apple – talking about his support for the right to repair and how he would not have gotten to where he is without it.

A selection of our summer reading list

Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future by Elizabeth Kolbert – reviewed by James

This is a book about humans trying to fix problems in the environment, and then making them worse, and then trying to fix them again. It’s about how we’re past conversation and preservation and now onto a stage of intervening to try and avert irreversible disasters. And how hard that is.

Undoing Optimization: Civic Action in Smart Cities by Alison Powell – reviewed by Neil

What are smart cities? Who creates them and who are they for? Powell explores these questions and more in Undoing Optimization. Her book delivers a thoughtful and comprehensive critique of the concept of smart cities, while also providing a broader look at the tension between corporate power, state power and citizen power.

We Are Bellingcat: An Intelligence Agency for the People by Eliot Higgins – reviewed by Janet

We’re here for any book that tells the story of a community of collaborative geeks, who look to solve problems and mysteries together. Bellingcat starts with Higgins at his laptop in Leicester, and tells the story about how he honed his skills together with others around the world, forming teams of “amateur” sleuths who solved the mystery behind the downing of Malaysia Flight 17 in the Ukraine and exposed various war crimes in Syria.

Check out our full reading list for blurbs on the other books on our list:

Atlas of AI by Kate Crawford
Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake
Flash Forward: An Illustrated Guide to Possible (And Not So Possible) Tomorrows by Rose Eveleth
Free, Fair, and Alive: The Insurgent Power of the Commons by David Bollier and Silke Helfrich
Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World by Jason Hickel
Our Biggest Experiment: A History of the Climate Crisis by Alice Bell
The Art of Disruption: A Manifesto For Real Change by Magid Magid

Links:

[links to purchase books are affiliate links so that you can support both us and independent bookshops via bookshop.org]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 65: Saving memories and exposing ‘branded’ repair with Jessa Jones Jun 29, 2021

This month, we had the pleasure of talking to repairer and activist, Jessa Jones. Jones is the founder of iPad Rehab and has carved out her own space in the repair world as a self-taught microsolderer and logic board repair teacher. We found out what makes her approach to repair and teaching unique, why she is so impassioned in her work, and what tools repairers in the US have to advocate for themselves.

From the toilet phone to teaching repair

It is clear that Jones has the drive to repair, as she recounts how a two-year-long effort to fix her waterlogged phone catapulted her into becoming the technician that she is today. Part of what makes Jones so strong is the combination of her experience in molecular biology and as a stay-at-home mum. She describes her approach to repair as from a physician’s perspective. As such, she uses her problem-solving skills to diagnose a device, almost as you would a human body.

The team at iPad Rehab is also predominantly made up of former stay-at-home parents, and mostly women too. They also recruit students from the local high school robotics team. Jones points out that Anna and Ryan — both teenagers — routinely perform repairs that Apple themselves will not do, such as replacing charging chips. Companies like Apple’s refusal to repair is part of what motivates Jones in her work. A major factor though is the emotional element of succeeding in rescuing people’s memories that would otherwise be lost.

Repair barriers and the “branded repair” lie

With a fascinating analogy between logic boards and cities and the human body, Jones explains the importance of schematics. While repair is not impossible without them, schematics make the job much easier and quicker. As time goes on, schematics become even more necessary as manufacturers build barriers to repair into device designs.

Jones runs us through just some of the numerous barriers to repair in iPhone models over the years. These affect parts from home buttons to batteries to screens. She emphasises the urgent worry that serialisation and pairing of parts — one of the biggest barriers to independent repair — is becoming more commonplace.

Perhaps the most galvanising point that Jones makes about “branded repair”, is how manufacturers mislead consumers relating to their own “repair” process. She explains how Apple has managed to market its sales of refurbished devices as repair. As a result, customers often lose their data and memories. And additionally, have to pay extortionate prices for something as small as fixing the charging port. Jones uses her voice and platform to inform consumers that this is not — and should not be — the only way.

Right to Repair in the US

On June 11th, the day before our interview, the New York State Senate passed their first Right to Repair bill. While this is a landmark move for the state legislature, it is not law yet. It must also be passed by the New York State assembly – something that Jones says is unlikely to happen. She is not pessimistic though. While recognising the legislation is difficult to pass, she says it likely hinges on our ability to be vocal enough to gain the spotlight.

“These manufacturers are highly motivated to maintain their pyramid scheme and that means a constant barrage of messaging. There’s a lot of folks that haven’t really thought about Right to Repair and if what they’re hearing is a constant stream of this isn’t safe … then that could be really dangerous.”

There are many wealthier parties interested in keeping Right to Repair quiet, spreading damaging and false messaging to the public. Activists and groups like Louis Rossmann’s Repair Preservation Group — of which Jones is on the board — are working tirelessly to get the real repair message heard.

Links:

[Photo courtesy of iPad Rehab – Jessa Jones (pictured far right) and the iPad Rehab team]

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Restart Radio: Borrowing boom at Library of Things Jun 08, 2021

As businesses and community spaces are able to pick up operations again, we talk to Alys Penfold about her work with Library of Things. Penfold is currently the Borrower Support Lead at Library of Things and tells us about their mission, their impact, and exciting new locations that are opening soon.

While we were regularly going into the office, Restart shared an office with Library of Things. It’s lovely to catch up and talk about how borrowing and repair intersect.

First, we discuss the news and start with a cautionary tale. Promises from manufacturers need to be watched closely at risk of them falling apart. The complete overhaul and watering down of Samsung’s Galaxy ‘upcycling’ scheme is evidence of this. Next, we move onto the potential – perhaps hopeful – fall of Bitcoin and why this would be beneficial for the planet. And finally, some good news as Consumer NZ recycles the French repairability index for mobile phones. This move makes us optimistic that similar indices could spread further than France and New Zealand.

Library of Things is on a mission

The bold aim of Library of Things is to make “borrowing better than buying”. Penfold tells us how they do this, including reducing costs for consumers, reducing waste, and building a local community. Since starting their pilot location in West Norwood they have expanded across London to make borrowing more accessible to local communities. Library of Things is a look into what our buying habits could be like once we realise that consumerism is not sustainable in many areas.

Their catalogue hosts a variety of items to be borrowed, some that surprised us. The things range from DIY to hobbying to adventuring and more. They cater to everyone’s needs whether you need to borrow a waffle maker, a tent, or a circular saw. And the range of things that can be borrowed is regularly expanding.

Penfold shares some stories about how she has witnessed the impact of their work. There are many reasons why people borrow – it could be more practical, cheaper, or more ecologically conscious.

Environmental impact and repair

Library of Things’ work does not only benefit the borrowers but also the environment. By preventing people from buying an item that they will likely only use a few times, they are helping tackle the mounting pile of e-waste that the UK produces. So far, through their Crystal Palace site alone they have prevented 15,900 kg more of this waste.

Penfold tells us how they partner with manufacturers to create a symbiotic relationship of sorts. Major companies donate products to Library of Things and in turn, they are able to provide information on how long the products last and what needs to be fixed. Many of the things that Library of Things have in their catalogue would rarely be used by the average consumer. What they have found is that with regular use by their borrowers, the products are not necessarily designed with long lifespans that support frequent use.

Collaboration and growth

Library of Things are planning to open many new locations in the coming months and are opening a new Hackney Wick site on June 15th. Around the country, there are also independent borrowing services popping up all over. Many of them have links to repair cafes and transition groups. We’re excited to see where Library of Things goes next! If you would like a Library of Things near you then head to their website for more information.

Links:

[Photo courtesy of Library of Things]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 64: Regenerative farming and rural tinkering with Farmerama May 28, 2021

This month, we talk to fellow podcasters Abby Rose and Jo Barratt from Farmerama. Farmerama is a monthly magazine show that aims to share the voices and experiences of regenerative farming. By combining their experience in farming, tech, and podcasting, they have managed to create an award-winning podcast that brings the farming community closer to each other and the listener.

Last year, our podcaster Dave Pickering worked with the Farmerama team to produce one of the episodes in their series, Who Feeds Us? The series captures a moment of collective resilience and adaptation seen by food producers across the UK. This story of pooling resources to help those in need resonated with us as it also reflected the work done by our community during the last year. As lockdown highlighted the massive issue of digital inclusion, repairers spent their time fixing devices to donate them to those in need. This collective spirit really comes through when listening to Farmerama.

The importance of soil

As well as working on the podcast, Rose’s connection to farming comes from her work on her family farm. She explains to us what it means to practice regenerative farming and why it is so important to solving climate and biodiversity crises. Regenerative farming is about working mindfully and in collaboration with the natural environment.

“Healthy soil is this miracle substance…Five years ago, I thought soil was dirt and I couldn’t have cared less about it. And now I think it’s the most important thing in my life and in all of our lives.”

From the roots of a plant, to the microbes in the soil, to the fungal networks underneath our feet. We can learn so much from this “communication mesh” that exists right under our feet.

Dignity and responsibility

This idea of networks and collaboration extends across our whole food production chain. By sharing the voices of farmers, growers, food producers, Farmerama helps us to situate ourselves within this chain of food production. We draw a comparison between food and electronics in the way that consumers are not always encouraged to recognise their place in the system of production. Without this, it is difficult to properly internalise what our responsibilities and impact are. We are starting to see this change though.

Hacking and repair vs corporate control

Rose says that “many farmers are repairers in heart and soul” as tools and the ability to adapt your processes are integral to farming life. We also hear clips from Farmerama that talk about Farm Hack which is a self-described “worldwide community of farmers that build and modify our own tools”. Especially for younger farmers with less equipment and money, this is an essential community for learning from more seasoned farmers.

We couldn’t do an episode on farming without talking about John Deere and the Right to Repair. Rose and Barratt say that farmers not being able to repair their machinery is at its heart a question of agency. Furthermore, this issue is plaguing the agricultural sector as a whole. While data can help farmers – as seen by Rose’s work making apps like Soilmentor – the data that is being collected on a mass scale does not. Rather, it just serves to help big corporations profit.

Autonomy is at the root of seed saving

These topics of agency and ownership will also resonate with repairers. They are also present in the conversation around seed sovereignty. We hear from a few different voices about what seed sovereignty is, why it is important, and how it supports reconnecting with our cultures, heritage, and environment.

Seed saving is a practice that is encouraged partly to empower growers to have more autonomy over the food they are producing. Farmerama too, want to share “old knowledge” that Barratt says is being wiped away by big business. Much like in our repair community, it is important that we share our knowledge and share our skills so that we can all have more ownership over our electronics.

Links:

[Art courtesy of Farmerama and Hannah Grace]

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Restart Radio Republished: When “intellectual property” is lethal May 13, 2021

This month, we are revisiting the topic of medical repair and reuse. Our interview was originally published more than a year ago but the issues at hand have not been fixed. We spoke to Dr Tarek Loubani and his colleague, Reidun Garapick about how perspectives need to change so that reuse of medical equipment is the norm. An example of this is the reusable face shield they developed. Loubani and Garapick both work at the Glia Project, a charity that focuses on producing low-cost medical devices with no intellectual property barriers.

A sustainable solution for PPE

Lack of PPE has been an ongoing issue abroad and also here in the UK, particularly during the first wave. Loubani shared his thoughts as to why it is so difficult to convince people of the power of reuse. He says the issue is very noticeable in medical settings. Here, understandable fears of contamination were overcoming the practical and safe solution of reusable gowns and masks.

Drawing on his experience working on the frontlines in Gaza, Loubani explained how this standard of disposable PPE is simply. Instead, they aim to reuse and repair equipment safely and sustainably.

The Glia Project developed a reusable face shield that would help begin to solve the problem of lack of supplies in hospitals. However, it has not been easy to distribute them. Garapick told us about the resistance from hospitals to accept them, even when they had completely run out of their own supplies. The problem lies in the difficulty to get these products authorised by regulatory bodies. The Glia Project is also currently working on designing accessible versions of other essential devices including respirators and pulse oximeters.

The urgent need for collaboration

Garapick also discusses the urgent need for open-source and accessible information. Laws around patents and intellectual property (IP) are seriously hindering repair, innovation and progress that could save lives. If manufacturers made it more accessible and legal to build on their previous designs, new tools could be developed much more quickly.

Later on, we discuss how IP is stopping biomedical technicians from repairing devices in hospitals. Ventilators remain out of use because the manuals and spare parts to repair them are not available and protected by IP rules. In places like Tanzania, this problem is widespread, and can hurt a hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, for example.

How intellectual property can be lethal

A newer issue that comes to mind in this conversation is that of intellectual property patents on vaccines. As wealthier countries begin to see the hopeful effects of rapid vaccine rollouts, the global disparity is stark. In poorer nations, the predicted date for when vaccine supplies might be available is as late as 2024. Last month, the WHO’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that only 0.3% of vaccine doses so far had been given to people in low-income countries.

As a result, many countries have asked for a temporary waiver to suspend WTO rules around patents on pharmaceuticals. India is asking for this, with its shortage of vaccines directly contributing to a devastating new wave of the virus. The waiver would allow for any country with the technical capacity and resources to produce vaccines themselves. The UK and Europe have still not agreed to this proposal.

Medical repairs beyond the pandemic

The need for collaboration and sharing of resources and tools is still as crucial as ever. Loubani shared with us his worries that we will forget the lessons that we learned about sustainability and innovation once this passes. We cannot let this happen. Instead, we must push for system change that will aid in the essential repairs that need to be done worldwide – during the pandemic and when it is finally over.

Links:

[Photo courtesy of the Glia Project]

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Adblock Bristol mural — **Restart Podcast Ep. 63: Badvertising – when ads promote fossil fuels and overconsumption** Apr 29, 2021
What’s the most frustrating advert you’ve seen recently? Or have you noticed a peaceful ad-free bliss after spending a year mostly indoors? This month we talked to Robbie Gillet from the climate charity Possible about their Badvertising campaign, which seeks to correct misinformation and stop harmful adverts that add to the climate crisis.

This month, there has been a lot of talk about SUVs in the UK. A report by the New Weather Institute and Possible showed major growth in sales of these higher-emitting vehicles and found that “three-quarters of all SUVs sold in the UK to private citizens in 2019-2020 were registered to urban addresses”. These are areas where off-road vehicles are not necessary and where air pollution is already a serious issue. As such, this industry is Badvertising’s main target at the moment.

Deserving targets

The Badvertising campaign is currently focussing on fossil fuel companies, car manufacturers and airlines as they are the most extensive polluters today. Instead of making the public aware of this fact, adverts for these products market them as must-haves – encouraging more and more consumption.

The campaign is pressuring the government to create policies to limit these ads, a precedent for this being the past banning of tobacco advertising.

In a broader sense, Gillet explains how the advertising industry intrinsically calls for overconsumption. Adverts lure us into over-consuming carbon-intensive electronics too. The constant push to buy and consume more upholds a system of growth that is just not sustainable if we want to keep this planet habitable.

It is not just activists that are noticing this but also some creatives working in the advertising industry themselves. We hear about movements like ‘Drop the Brief’ where creatives are seeking to work on more ethical projects instead of using their talents to market harmful products.

Bad billboards vs. public space

While Possible is leading this campaign, there are also many other groups that are making progress towards dismantling the same systems. Gillet also co-founded Adblock Bristol – a volunteer group lobbying and organising at a local level to stop new billboards from being installed. He explains the colossal waste of energy that are electronic advertising billboards and screens.

Gillet believes that instead of these harmful and wasteful messages, paid for by big corporations, public space should be democratised. We discuss the value of public space and how it could be used in efforts to build up the community and provide a more nurturing environment. Instead of adding pressure and negative messaging to our lives, this space could add positivity through projects like community gardens, murals and public art.

What are the barriers and how can they be overcome?

Despite the dangers of this advertising becoming clear, those put in charge of monitoring this are not doing enough. This includes the Advertising Standards Authority who do not recognise the harm being done.

But progress is being made and Possible is not the only group tackling this issue. Gillet tells us about movements that are happening worldwide to stop harmful advertising. While there has been notable progress in places like Grenoble and Amsterdam, lobbying by wealthy corporations is proving to be a major barrier to change.

Links:

Keep up with the Badvertising campaign

Adbusters

Brandalism

Adfree Cities

Possible/New Weather Institute: Report on SUVs

Clean Energy Wire: “Dieselgate” VW emissions scandal

The Guardian: The French cities trying to ban public adverts

[Photos courtesy of Possible, ClientEarth and Adblock Bristol]

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Peter Larsen in ‘Kuannersuit / Kvanefjeld’ — **Restart Radio Republished: Greenland’s election and Kvanefjeld mine** Apr 14, 2021
Following the election results in Greenland last week, we are revisiting an episode of Restart Radio from back in 2018. Three years ago, we interviewed Lise Autogena and Joshua Portway about their documentary, ‘Kuannersuit / Kvanefjeld’ which explores the feelings of local residents in Narsaq about a proposed mine near their town. A mine that’s existence is in great question following the election.

What the mine means for the community

While Greenland is home to mining operations already, as the climate changes and large swathes of ice melt, more locations are becoming available for these projects. The Kvanefjeld mine was set to become the world’s fifth-largest uranium mine and the second largest rare earths operation. Its existence could have a major impact on international trade and the availability of materials used in electronics.

However, as with any operation of this kind, there are serious environmental drawbacks. ‘Kuannersuit / Kvanefjeld’ draws its conflict from the stories and opinions of its subjects. Portway and Autogena interviewed local residents, some of whom are supportive and some opposed to the mine. Those who are opposed worry about the dust that the mine would produce. This pollution would affect the health of residents and livestock alike. This is especially worrying as Kvanefjeld mountain is close to much of the agricultural industry of the country. Others support the mine as a new source of jobs and income for a town whose residents are leaving and fishing industry is struggling.

An election on autonomy

This April, Greenland had a snap election, caused at least in part by disagreements over the mining project and a lack of support for the government. Inuit Ataqatigiit, a left-wing political party won the election which has cast serious doubt over the future of the operation. Not only do the party oppose the uranium mine specifically, but they also prioritise environmental matters in their platform.

The mine may be the central issue of this election but it is not the only issue. It is also about Greenland’s independence and autonomy, and its complicated history with other countries, especially Denmark. Donald Trump’s assertion in 2019 that he could simply buy Greenland exemplifies the way that the country’s natural environment can be commodified. This election is a historic moment for the people of Greenland, but this is not the end of the story.

Links:

Restart Radio: Rare-earth minerals in Greenland with Lise Autogena and Josh Portway

Reuters: Left-wing party wins Greenland election, opposes big mining project

Kuannersuit / Kvanefjeld – full documentary (Vimeo)

Autogena Projects

Narsaq on Wikipedia

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Restart Podcast Ep. 62: How 3D printing can help us repair Mar 25, 2021

3D printing technology is increasingly being used to aid repair, especially in the creation of spare parts. We invited Bas Flipsen and Julieta Bolaños Arriola to talk about their work in the field and how 3D printing can help solve the e-waste crisis.

Flipsen is a senior researcher for the Faculty of Engineering at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) who teaches “circular” and sustainable design, among other topics. Both of our guests are heavily involved in a project called SHAREPAIR, with Bolaños Arriola being a researcher. The project aims to help and support citizens in strengthening the repair economy. While we’re not working on 3D printing, The Restart Project is one of the project partners as well.

Reverse-engineering “circular design”

At TU Delft, they are researching how 3D printing can be a tool to support circular design. We talk about what this concept really means and what work we must do to be able to implement it. Flipsen points out that a key part of their work stems from taking things apart and the knowledge that is gained from reverse engineering. It can be as simple as: if a part cannot easily be removed then it cannot be reused.

It is fascinating to hear of the types of projects that students at TU Delft have been undertaking. Bolaños Arriola gives us examples of the types of devices that have been tested for their ability to be 3D printed. From buttons on remote controls to bike accessories; students are encouraged to explore how existing, familiar designs can be optimised for 3D printing. They focus on practical, immediate applications.

Printing spare parts

Access to spare parts is a pillar of the Right to Repair. There are many reasons why spare parts are currently unavailable for many products. Bolaños Arriola mentions a few of these including issues with stock, manufacturers not supporting devices for long enough, and wanting to control who can repair.

3D printing could be a way to make those spare parts available again… 3D printing could come into the game and generate spare parts for people to be able to fix their products.

Flipsen and Bolaños Arriola believe that 3D printing of spare parts could massively help this issue of access. For one, with the proper knowledge, people could print parts at home or at repair events in order to fix their own devices. Through reverse engineering, designs could be created for these parts without the help of manufacturers – who are historically not very supportive.

Coffee machines and compromises

While 3D printing technology has come a long way, compromises still have to be made. Flipsen tells us about a recent project that involved students reverse-engineering and attempting to print the parts to recreate a Phillips Senseo coffee machine. During this process, they found issues relating to curvature and the flexibility of the materials they were using.

Printing possibilities have become vast, with wood, metal, and more being potential materials. However, Bolaños Arriola points out that these high tech materials may not be available to the public. Therefore, they are exploring how they can adapt parts and mechanisms to be made from plastics instead.

Strength in community

We talk about the obstacles that may arise when using 3D printing as a tool at repair events and at home. While the technology is becoming more accessible, it is “not magic” and takes time and adjustment to work properly.

While people can have personal 3D printers, Flipsen and Bolaños Arriola promote the idea of community involvement. By sharing resources — money, space, knowledge — we can be more effective in solving problems and repairing products. Through these community spaces also, they hope to instigate interest in repair in younger generations.

Links

[Photo courtesy of Industrial Design students at TU Delft]

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Restart Radio: Reusing laptops for digital inclusion with Mer-IT and Hackney Fixers Mar 10, 2021

As schools start to open again across the country, we revisit the incredible work that repairers are doing to get laptops in the hands of students. Two organisations that have been supporting the laptop reuse effort are Mer-IT and Hackney Fixers. We talk to Mercedes Oli and James Diamond from both of these groups, to find out how it’s going and what we can do to help.

Déjà vu for consumers and hospital engineers

We start the show by reflecting an age-old story. We discuss renewed calls for the Right to Repair by farmers in the US. Three years on from John Deere’s promise for more access to independent repair, farmers are reporting nothing has happened. Diamond points out this is the ongoing problem of leaving it up to manufacturers to fix things. Rather, governments need to start legislating.

We discuss yet another lawsuit against Apple, this time in Italy. Euroconsumers has sued Apple for €60 million on behalf of customers who had to replace their batteries far too early. This lawsuit echoes others that Apple has faced elsewhere. But do these court cases work?

And finally, last year we discussed the need for better access to repair for biomedical engineers (“biomeds”), who keep hospitals running. This topic is especially pressing during the continuing pandemic, in relation to ventilators and more. Little progress has been made. U.S. PIRG released a new survey of biomeds which highlights the importance of this problem.

London laptop reuse projects

We first talked to James Diamond about the work that Hackney Fixers had been doing refurbishing laptops to donate them to students that were in need last September. At the time, they were also working with the team at Mer-IT, an organisation co-founded by Mercedes Oli. Both Oli and Diamond tell us about the massive surge in donations that they received following the announcement of school closures in early January.

With this, came more repairing work to be done and the need for the London network of repairers to really join together. Drawing on their experience of repairing so many laptops, they share the most common fixes that they have seen.

From devices to data – digital exclusion

Oli talks about why she, and co-founder Alex Inglis, originally started Mer-IT in 2013. She discusses her own frustrating experience of being digitally excluded and how it encouraged her to share her skills with others.

Oli’s story touches on the many different aspects of digital exclusion. Access to resources comes in different forms, whether it is the inability to afford an electronic device, a lack of digital skills, or data poverty. Last year, Ofcom estimated that 9% of households in the UK did not have a device suitable for working from home. This meant students and adults alike were left unable to work during lockdown. And it is not only schooling that is important for children’s development.

Oli points out that the gap in digital literacy only widens when children are not able to explore the digital world on their own – be this through online research, gaming, or talking with friends.

We hear stories from both Diamond and Oli about how the work that they are doing has impacted those receiving donated laptops. These donations have meant that students are able to carry on their studies when they otherwise wouldn’t have been able. And Oli says that the expression of joy is palpable when she hands over the devices.

How you can help promote digital access

As children go back to school and we draw closer to a lifting of lockdown measures, there is still plenty of work that needs to be done. Some children will still be learning from home and homework – unfortunately – never seems to end.

It is also still essential that we support the elderly in our communities and ensure that they can stay connected at this time.

If you are able to donate a device, check out Restart’s lists below for places to donate. And if not, there are other ways to get involved. For many devices, it is necessary to buy spare parts in order to fix them and this requires funding. If you are able to make a financial donation, then this would also go towards this essential work.

Links:

Vice: John Deere Promised Farmers It Would Make Tractors Easy to Repair. It Lied.
The Verge: Apple faces yet another lawsuit over throttling iPhones
U.S. PIRG: Hospital technicians renew urgent call for Right to Repair medical equipment
Children’s Commissioner: Children without internet access during lockdown
Donate to Mer-IT
Hackney Fixers
Restart’s London Laptop Donation Drive
Restart’s UK list “Where to Donate Your Computer”

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Rating detail of the index — **Restart Podcast Ep. 61: Introducing the French Repairability Index** Feb 26, 2021
2021 is shaping up to be a big year for repair. At the beginning of the year, France introduced its new Repairability Index. Via this legislation, the government hopes to inform consumers about how repairable products are before purchase. By extension, it also aims to encourage manufacturers to make repairability a priority.

Recently, the European Right to Repair campaign held a webinar on the French Repairability Index. In this episode, you will hear snippets from the guest speakers including Ernestas Oldyrevas, from ECOS; Jean-Paul Ventère, from the French Ministry of Ecology; and Laetitia Vasseur from HOP. For more information, and for the Right to Repair perspective, Chloé Mikolajczak – our campaigner for the European Right to Repair campaign – also joined us for an interview.

A repair score out of 10

We hear from both Mikolajczak and Oldyrevas about the long road that it took to reach this point. Civil society organisations have spent years campaigning for more repairability. The fact that something like the index has finally been adopted is a major move towards tackling e-waste and emissions.

In the simplest terms, the index works by assigning a repairability score out of ten to each product. This score is calculated with a rating system comprising five criteria – as Ventère explains. The five criteria relate to documentation, disassembly, the availability and price of spare parts, and software updates. We are pleased to see that many of these criteria address the key pillars of the Right to Repair. At the moment, the index applies to smartphones, laptops, televisions, washing machines, and lawnmowers. But there is hope that it will be extended to cover more products in the future.

Transparency and trust

However, there are some major limitations in the legislation which many groups have highlighted, including HOP and the Right to Repair campaign. Firstly, manufacturers are not required to be fully transparent. This is because the finer detail of how the scores were reached is not available to the public. Vasseur argues that more information needs to be available to consumers for them to come to purchasing decisions – information that will relate to their real-life experience regarding repair.

A secondary, and perhaps even more pressing issue, is that of self-declaration. The government decided the rating criteria of the index. However, it is the manufacturers themselves that report how their product stacks up. At the moment, there is no formal system in place to check how truthful companies are being.

“There is an issue because at the end of the day, if you leave the grading to manufacturers it’s complicated to have that full transparency. They can answer to some criteria, but that will be potentially either hard to verify or there’s a risk that they could kind of trick the system.”

Chloé Mikolajczak

Ventère believes that leaving it to civil society and other organisations to check the ratings will be enough to ensure there is no malpractice. However, Vasseur and Mikolajczak both worry that there are simply not enough resources for these organisations to provide a thorough and sustainable solution.

Future ambitions

While there are valid concerns about the enforcement and ambitiousness of the index, there is also a sense of optimism shared by all of our guests. The French Repairability Index sets an important precedent to help consumers make more informed decisions about the products they buy. Oldyrevas points out that with almost all legislation there is a period of growing pains – the European Energy Label is an example.

For the European Right to Repair campaign, it is now time to pressure the European Commission to implement a similar system across the whole of the EU. Mikolajczak hopes an improved EU-wide index – based on the French one – can be effective to change manufacturers’ practices within and beyond Europe.

Links:

Watch the full webinar here

Official information on the French Repairability Index (in French, but some documents in English too)

For news on the index and product scores (in French)

[Photo credits: MTE]

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Restart Radio: How manufacturers game the system through voluntary agreements Feb 11, 2021

On February’s episode of Restart Radio, we discuss gaming, printers, and toothless “voluntary agreements” with manufacturers. Ugo Vallauri is joined by Holly Davies and James Pickstone from Restart as well as Ernestas Oldyrevas from ECOS. He helps us to better understand some of the finer details of EU policies on these two industries and why there needs to be more pressure put on governments to regulate across all industries.

Raising the game

Over the last year, many people’s interest in and capacity for gaming increased. We share our personal experiences of this, whether that is starting from no gaming experience or simply branching out. Both Pickstone and Davies agree that multiplayer gaming has become a key part of their social calendars as it offers a low-stress alternative to video calls.

While this rise in gaming popularity has had a positive impact on sales for many companies, it also comes with its own issues. An unexpected increase in demand has impacted supply chains, particularly hitting the release of new consoles.

This does not mean that everyone is buying new, however. In true Restart spirit, Oldyrevas mentions how he is planning to resurrect an old Nintendo Wii.

Can we game greener?

It’s not all fun and games though, we also have to recognise the environmental impacts of this activity. Even before these games make it onto our console or computer screens, corporate travel, (currently virtual) conferences, and more emit massive emissions. However, there are ways that the industry can lessen this impact.

We share some numbers from our community on our actual impact as gamers: how much CO2 is produced during manufacturing and during use.

Ongoing changes in how people are using their devices are going to keep affecting these environmental impacts. We discuss how a rise in cloud gaming and streaming is providing positives and negatives in this area.

The problem with voluntary agreements

So how can these impacts be controlled? Oldyrevas explains the complicated — and rather frustrating — circumstances that make it difficult to regulate console manufacturers.

For many industries, the EU has introduced ecodesign regulations with the aim to make products more sustainable and energy-efficient. However, for the gaming industry this is not the case. Instead, console manufacturers preemptively struck a joint voluntary agreement with the EU in order to avoid these tougher restrictions.

While manufacturers like these agreements to appear as proactive, in truth Oldyrevas says that they allow them to continue with “business as usual.”

An illustration of why we need ambitious regulation for repairability in the game console industry: Joy-Con of the Nintendo Switch and subsequent legal action by Que-Choisir. Pickstone shares his own experience trying to fix his broken Switch. His experience will resonate with millions of other Switch owners. And with recent reports of similar drift issues occurring in PS5 controllers, it may become even more universal. While consumer advocates are trying to help consumers repair, this should have been required by regulation in the first place.

What about printers?

Still wondering what the link between consoles and printers is?

There are two industries currently participating in these voluntary agreements and the other is printer manufacturers. Oldyrevas points out that this industry runs on selling very cheap machines and recouping costs through selling cartridges. As such, printers are a “throwaway product by default” and a nightmare in terms of sustainability and repair.

The EU would like to see more ambitious commitments by printer manufacturers, but this is far from happening. The big issue, Oldyrevas tells us, is that there are not enough resources allocated to changing these agreements. So we need to put continued pressure on governments to pay attention and to reject future voluntary agreements.

Links:

ArsTechnica: Scalpers aren’t the main reason you can’t find a new console
Springer: Toward Greener Gaming: Estimating National Energy Use and Energy Efficiency Potential
The Verge: The Many Ways Video Game Development Impacts The Climate Crisis
Que-Choisir: Coordinated European action against the failure of the Joy-Con Drift
Millenium: Alarma con los problemas de drift en los DualSense de PS5: ¿Cómo lo soluciono si me ocurre?

Feature image “Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons” by Aleks Dorohovich is licensed under the Unsplash license]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 60: Helping electronics workers improve conditions Jan 26, 2021

Omana George has dedicated herself to supporting workers’ safety for years. She is now the Monitoring Coordinator for Electronics Watch, an organisation that monitors manufacturing and supply chains in order to support “public buyers” to make more ethical and informed decisions.

The impact of Covid on workers

George informs us that many of the long-existing problems in supply chains are only getting worse during the Covid pandemic. Stresses on the supply chain are making the impacts of “contractualisation” — the subcontracting of labour, where the company that owns the factory is not technically employing the workers in it — more devastating. And the risk of Covid means factories are only becoming more dangerous. The increasing stress on workers, a lack of health and safety measures, and a failure on the part of companies to properly pay workers are leading to unrest. George sheds some light on what provoked recent riots at an Indian factory in the iPhone supply chain for supplier Wistron.

“This industry has really been operating this way for many decades. And it’s not just in Asia, wherever they work, this is how they have worked…It is an industry which really does not put a lot of emphasis or focus on occupational health and safety and workers have really have to fight for their rights.”

Hazards in occupational health

While Covid may be making them more visible, these issues are not new. George details for us the various dangers of working in the electronics supply chain.

One of the biggest hazards for electronics workers is chemicals and the progress on gaining worker protection has been slow. What seems to be key to creating a safer work environment is access to information. George shares some shocking stories about manufacturers failing to inform workers of the substances that they are handling.

We also take a specific look at the dangers that are specific to women in the electronics industry. George summarises many of these risks succinctly by quoting the lawyer and advocate, Amanda Hawes – “if you’re pregnant, every day is bring your child to work day.” Workers aren’t just misinformed about dangers to their own health but also the health of their children.

Moving forward with Electronics Watch

Hearing about the circumstances of workers can make us feel powerless to help but there have been some wins. We discuss a long-lasting case involving Samsung workers in South Korea. George says that it is one of the first cases where a major manufacturer has been held to account for worker illnesses and death caused by chemical exposure.

More hope also comes in the expansion of Electronics Watch’s work. They also support those working in public sector procurement by producing guidance and setting up their Occupational Health and Safety Panel.

The landscape of electronics manufacturing is shifting and many companies are moving supply chains to other countries. We don’t know what changes this will bring but George does have hope for the future. In the meantime, we must continue to support workers through public procurement activism and amplify their voices.

Links:

[Riot audio courtesy of Kanak News; feature image by Steve Jurvetson is licensed under CC BY 3.0.]

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Restart Radio: What is true digital inclusion? Jan 14, 2021

It may be a new year but we are still pressing for change in all the same places. On January’s episode, we revisit the topic of “digital inclusion” as schools are once again forced to close. Janet and Ugo are joined by Ben Skidmore, as they discuss why digital inclusion is more than just getting laptops into the hands of those in need. Later in the show, we also examine some potentially good news and forward movement in European Union policy.

The important details of digital inclusion

In the UK, we are not far off from a year since the first nationwide lockdown due to the pandemic. Despite this, there are still over a million children without access to the internet at home, for school. While there has been some progress since we last discussed this in September, it is nowhere near enough to solve the massive need. Is it better to rely on large-scale procurement of laptops or rather to focus on local community organising and grassroots efforts to reuse old laptops? Ultimately, we need both.

Ben points out that fixing laptops — especially a variety of used models given by individual donors — does take markedly more time than large-scale procurement or refurbishment. In September, we talked to James Diamond from Hackney Fixers about their laptop repair and reuse project. He told us that while their work takes much time and care, it is urgently needed to ensure equal access to what is now an essential resource.

And this time and care is needed not just in relation to hardware. Even for those who are equipped with devices for online learning, we have not seen enough guidance for teachers and students on how to use these devices in an effective way. Digital inclusion is much more than access to hardware. It also includes access to the internet and equipping people with the tools to use resources critically. We quote Brazilian academic André Lemos’ 2003 essay

Can we really measure social inclusion by the number of computers per capita, by the number of internet users and other like statistics? Again, including means here adapting, moulding and forming individuals able to use software and operating systems that can be out of date in only a few months…

Perhaps the true social inclusion is through educating on the new media, not just the techniques, but through the development of a critical thought and disquiet in relation to that which they sell us as the newest, best thing, that will just rot in front of us…

Promising developments in Europe

While we are no longer part of the EU, we don’t yet know how this will affect policy here in the UK. So, we look hopefully towards some recent policy developments from Europe. The European Commission recently released documents as part of a preparatory study that looks at ecodesign for smartphones and tablets. We discuss the prospects for game-changing regulation of smartphones this year.

A recent study by Öko-Institut and VZBV, that looked at increasing the lifespans of products has yielded similar conclusions. Looking at laptops, smartphones, notebooks and washing machines, they modelled the results of extending these product lifetimes to seven years. The findings are clear: making products more repairable would have a drastic impact on reducing CO2 emissions and saving money for the consumer alike. Now we want to see this evidence used to instigate real policy changes.

Finally, a celebration and examination of actual policy change. On January 1st, France introduced its new repairability index. The regulation will require ratings on products including washing machines, televisions, smartphones and laptops. And it includes many pillars of Right to Repair in its criteria. We worry that the French government’s reliance on manufacturers to rate their own products may lead to misuse. However, Ben points out that ultimately this policy will at least start consumers thinking more about the repairability of the products that they buy.

Links:

Our London Laptop Donation Drive
Our list of laptop donation projects in the UK
Restart Radio: Hackney Fixers’ laptop repair and reuse project
André Lemos’ “The Dogmas of Digital Inclusion” (our own imperfect translation) (2003)
European Commission: Ecodesign preparatory study on mobile phones, smartphones and tablets
VZBV: Study on the longevity of products
Innovation Origins: France leads the way with a “Repair index” for electronic products

[Feature image by Mark A Phillips, licensed under CC BY 4.0.]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 59: Lasers lighting up the sky, with Seb Lee-Delisle Dec 18, 2020

For our last episode of the year, we so happy to bring you this interview with laser interactive artist, presenter and Repair Café volunteer Seb Lee-Delisle. Restart first met him at Hackaday’s Unconference in London a couple of years back. (In recent years, we’d noticed he became a regular at his local Repair café.)

But during the past decade, Lee-Delisle’s probably most known for some of his interactive light installations, and work for performers such as Fat Boy Slim.

Lasers

Dave talks with him about lasers over the decades, how they started cool, got a bit naff and became cool again. And then of course about this strange year, and how like many artists, Lee-Delisle faced a wave of cancellations. During the first lockdown, instead of clapping for the National Health Service, he began projecting his thanks on tall buildings in his hometown of Brighton.

This led to a much more ambitious (and interactive) idea, appropriate to the socially distant scenario, “Laser Light City”. Why not allow viewers to control high-powered lasers beaming into the urban night sky? He dazzled and thrilled people with this installation in Brighton, Leeds, then Worthing and soon to be arriving in Newcastle.

The nerd niche

Lasers are beams that can be controlled using timing and mirrors, and this is where the art lies. Lee-Delisle writes most of his own code for his projects, and is a big believer in open source. He talks about the benefits of offering up his “ofxLaser” code library even when he felt it wasn’t ready.

Confessing to be addicted to repairing stuff, Lee-Delisle is a strong believer in the power of nerd communities, and the potential of entertainment for and by nerds. YouTube and maker/repair communities are flourishing and a constant source of inspiration. And of course, the nerd (live) comedy scene has really opened up whole kind of entertainment that he didn’t have growing up. (We nod our heads when he expresses his frustration with the hit BBC show The Repair Shop — it does not share enough detail about the fixes!)

To close, Lee-Delisle recognises he’s had a very good year, during difficult times for others. But we’re really glad that he’s sharing some of his light with the world. (And literally letting us play with lasers!)

Links

[Feature photo credit to Antony Ribot]

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Restart Radio: Lamps at the end of the tunnel — a new lighting refurbishment business Dec 10, 2020

It’s our final radio show of a year full of bad news, and we have some good news to share. To kick us off, Janet and Ugo speak to Jonathan Samuels, a lighting designer who has worked in live entertainment for decades. After theatres and live performances were shut down this year, Samuels adapted and launched a new business in lighting refurbishment and repurposing objects into lamps.

Refurbish, lights, action!

For Samuels, working in live events meant a very uncertain and frustrating year. At Restart, much of our work revolves around in-person events so our community can sympathise immensely. With his usual work impossible, he decided to venture into refurbishing and reuse and started an online business selling his creations. His experience in theatre — making practicals for the stage and dismantling lighting equipment — provided him with many skills in lighting refurbishment. However, Samuels explains that he still had a lot to learn when starting his business.

While Samuels has developed a strong appreciation and interest in lighting through his career, another driving force behind his business is his commitment to reuse. Scrolling through his selection of lamps, one will find antique Anglepoise and other renowned names. But what is also striking are the upcycled pieces, lights made from everything from bygone Burgoyne bottles to Bunsen burners and more. He doesn’t just extend the lifespan of lamps but also gives a new life to objects that are otherwise unusable.

Progress on policy

News from the UK and the EU allowed us to wrap up 2020 with a celebration. First, we discuss the UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee report, containing many of the recommendations we gave in our evidence to its enquiry. It calls on the government to enshrine the Right to Repair in law. This includes affordable spare parts, access to software tools used for repair and commitments to software support. This is a big moment.

The news out of Brussels also marks a move forward in the fight against unrepairable, throw-away products. A recent European Parliament vote means that the European Commission now has the go-ahead to push on. Next year we hope to see laws aimed at extending the lifetime of products such as smartphones and laptops.

Our final story is a reminder of why this legislation is so necessary. We share reports that the new macOS update has been slowing and even bricking ‘older’ machines. ‘Old’ however only means around six years old, which is unacceptable. While the problem appears to be fixed now, many users faced a huge shock. It’s another reminder for those using older hardware to hold off on updates in the future until they’ve been tested by others first.

Links:

[Photo courtesy of Jonathan Samuels]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 58: You say you want a Repair Revolution Nov 27, 2020

This month, Dave talks to John Wackman and Elizabeth Knight who are prolific in the New York repair community. After years of involvement in repair cafes, they decided to share what they learned by writing a book. Repair Revolution: How Fixers Are Transforming Our Throwaway Culture, is a lesson in how to start a repair cafe and how to fix. Knight and Wackman also note that integral to the book is its collection of personal stories from repairers all over the continent. These are stories of community that Restarters will recognise well.

The repair revolution across the pond

Knight tells us of how she first became involved in the repair movement. It’s a story of noticing the failures in the system around you – even in your local area – and feeling the need to fix it in whatever way you are able. This ethos is carried throughout our conversation with Knight and Wackman, and throughout the book itself.

In comparison to the items that we fix at Restart Parties, much of the fixing chronicled in Repair Revolution is of a different ilk. Household electronics like lamps are one of the most common fixes that they have seen coming to repair cafes. But there is also a focus on activities like visible mending of clothes, patching up of stuffed animals, and woodworking. It is a refreshing reminder that the repair movement looks different in every iteration across the globe.

Community is at the core

Knight and Wackman emphasise that community is perhaps simultaneously the biggest facilitator and result of the repair cafe movement. Repairers come together to share their skills, not only out of care for the planet, but also care for others.

“[Repair] is more than just an opportunity to fix broken things. It’s also an opportunity to fix broken systems and relationships…It creates opportunities to nurture neighbourly networks and it calls on the invaluable wealth of community knowledge.”

Repair Revolution contains many stories of how community repair has affected individuals in a deep and personal way. Knight and Wackman share a few of these stories with us. Some stories are moving, others are funny, but they all emphasise the human element of repair and how it connects us.

An intergenerational approach

Part of Knight and Wackman’s vision for the future of repair is transferring skills to younger generations. Repair is an essential skill that is being lost. They would like to see it re-introduced into traditional education and, until then, they are “providing teachers” to preserve these skills. While the Right to Repair movement is working to make repair more accessible on a large scale, Knight and Wackman recognise that for the time being community efforts are crucial to create repair opportunities.

Links:

[Photo courtesy of Lauren Thomas]

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Restart Radio: The dangers of serialisation in smartphones with Rico Cerva Nov 10, 2020

Talking about the issue of smartphone repairability is one that has been unavoidable over the years. This month we decided to finally look at this problem in depth. Ugo and Janet are joined by Rico Cerva, one of the most skilled and well-known iPhone repairers we know. He tells us about how iPhone repair keeps getting more complicated and how the barriers against fixing them have changed for the worse.

First, we take a look at some big electronics news in the UK. Regulator Ofcom announced that from December 2021 telecommunications companies will not be able to sell locked handsets in Britain. Next, the BBC reported that both the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party agreed that a repairability rating scheme should be introduced to products in the UK. This comes after France decided to introduce a similar scheme that will begin in 2021. Finally, we share some good news about the Right to Repair proposition that was on the ballot in Massachusetts. Despite a large-scale effort to scaremonger by the automotive industry, the law passed with 75% of the vote last Tuesday.

The seriousness of smartphone serialisation

With the recent release of the iPhone 12, so came the new issues in repairing this device. YouTuber and advocate for Right to Repair Hugh Jeffreys discovered an issue that meant the camera on the newest Apple phone could not be replaced by third parties if broken. This problem, Cerva says, is down to serialisation. He says

“You need the Apple machine to pair the new display to the phone. Even if you take two original screens and you swap them over, if they’re not the correct serial number, you’re going to have some weird glitches or issues.”

Apple has introduced serialisation by pairing component parts to phones. The result is that independent repairers are not able to repair devices with spare parts – even genuine parts that have been removed from the same Apple product. This way, only repairers who are part of Apple’s Independent Repair Provider programme will be able to repair devices. This applies to even common fixes like screen and camera replacements. As such, repair will get more expensive and independent repairers will not be able to work.

Cerva points out that even though he has found physical workarounds for most of Apple’s pre-iPhone 12 repair barriers, the trend is towards total lockdown of these devices. These workarounds have to be performed on such a microscopic scale and with such delicate skill that most independent highstreet repair shops – and definitely at home repairers – are being pushed out of the picture.

How is this affecting independent repairers?

This problem is also not unique to Apple. YouTuber Riki Kim revealed that Samsung has also started to introduce serialisation to its devices via the fingerprint sensor and a recent software update. Together, Samsung and Apple devices represent two-thirds of the European market share, so these developments have huge consequences. Even Cerva, who can complete these complicated workarounds, wonders how sustainable it will be to run an independent repair business in the coming months and years. Repairers like Cerva work to provide a fair price and the best quality for their customers. But this means soon they may not be able to compete with the industry’s continuous barriers against their work.

What can be done?

Cerva believes consumer awareness can help combat this worrying trend. We point out that much policy work surrounding the Right to Repair focuses on hardware and the availability of spare parts. On software locks and serialisation, policy must catch up. Furthermore, if this trend continues, there is a worry that the issue of serialisation could spread to other electronic devices too.

What brings some light to the conversation is Cerva’s belief in the repair network and the independent repair community. He tells us how businesses with different specialities are coming together to solve problems and help each other provide services to keep going.

Links:

Rico Cerva: Logic board repair specialist/Instagram
Restart Podcast Ep. 36: Fixing the impossible with Rico Cerva
Reuters: Britain to stop mobile operators selling ‘locked’ handsets
BBC: Electric goods ‘should have repairability rating’
The Verge: Massachusetts passes ‘right to repair’ law to open up car data
Hugh Jeffreys: iPhone Anti Repair Design – Teardown and Repair Assessment
Riki Kim: Samsung A51 Serializing Parts to Disable Fingerprint Sensor

[Photos courtesy of Rico Cerva]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 57: “Heroes of Repair” European video series Oct 28, 2020

In October, the European Right to Repair campaign launched “Heroes of Repair”, as part of their celebration of International Repair Day. The video series aims to highlight the human face of repair by profiling individuals working to strengthen the repair movement. Restart’s very own Chloé Mikolajczak talked to us about why this campaign is necessary and how Right to Repair has developed over the last year.

We also get to hear from some repair heroes first hand about how and why they are involved in repair. Throughout the podcast Paul O’Donell, Sepp Eisenriegler, Janine Korduan and Cerys Jones tell us how they got involved in repair, what inspires them in their work, and why the Right to Repair matters to them.

Anyone can be a Hero of Repair

In London and across the UK, we have an incredibly strong and involved Restart community. It was heartening to hear from Mikolajczak, and the heroes themselves, that this is mirrored across Europe. The aim of the campaign is to highlight those working to support repair initiatives and elevate Right to Repair. Furthermore, she hopes that the campaign empowers other repairers to upload their own videos. On International Repair Day, YouTuber Jessa Jones from iPad Rehab shared her own video.

“The idea wasn’t to say someone is a hero for doing something absolutely incredible. The people we are putting forward are normal people like you and I who are contributing significantly to their community through repair. It’s not just a small group of people that can be heroes – everyone can be a repair hero.”

Learning from each other

We talk to Mikolajczak about why it is so important to run Heroes of Repair as a European campaign. She tells us about how the repair movement varies between countries. Many countries are in different stages of development regarding government policy on repair. Awareness and support of the movement differs too. By raising awareness of the initiatives happening in each country, Mikolajczak hopes that we can learn from each other and strengthen the movement.

Highlighting the human face of repair

Mikolajczak explains that the regulations that they are fighting for will affect the lives of citizens in ways they may not realise. The key aims of Right to Repair are: to ensure that products are designed and built to be repairable, that repair is affordable and accessible, and that consumers are informed on what they are buying.

All of these measures will directly impact citizens, save them money, and help protect the environment in the process. Mikolajczak also talks about the barriers she faces working on this campaign. This includes the need to push back against corporations and lobbyists who are constantly working to avoid regulation.

Next year can be better for Right to Repair

Finally, we hear some of the highlights and successes of the European Right to Repair campaign this year. These include the European Commission’s new Circular Economy Action Plan and movement towards regulating smartphones. All in all, the hope is that more organisations will lend their support and the movement will continue to grow.

Whether you are an individual, a business or an organisation, you can get involved with the Right to Repair campaign.

Links:

[Photos courtesy of the Right to Repair Campaign

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Restart Radio Republished: Ada Lovelace Day and the stories of women in STEM Oct 13, 2020

To celebrate Ada Lovelace Day, we’re republishing this 2018 interview with Suw Charman-Anderson, founder of the Ada Lovelace Day (ALD), which annually supports and increases the visibility of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers.

First, we discuss how ALD started and how it came to be such a huge initiative, with international events happening each year.

We then ask Suw why she chose Ada Lovelace as a symbol for this project. She tells us the story of Ada, a 19th-century mathematician who worked with polymath Charles Babbage on the design of the ‘Analytical Engine’, a vision of the first mechanical computer. Ada has been considered the first ever computer programmer, with a computing language now named after her.

Then, we talk about the importance of role models for girls and women to go into science. Girls and women are still underrepresented in STEM, especially in fields such as physics or computing. Also, the historical contributions of women to science and tech have commonly been overlooked.

At Restart, we are interested in engaging people with technology from early on – we chat with Suw about the need to engage girls from a very young age to actually change the gender disparity in STEM. Not only to motivate girls to go into these fields of education, but also to actually continue their careers after their training.

Suw walks us through her own career in science, having graduated from Geology and struggling to find her professional path. She went into publishing and journalism, and reminds people that it is fine to have a less conventional career path.

Before ALD, Suw co-founded the Open Rights Group in the UK, which campaigns for digital rights. We relate their early work on intellectual property law to the US Right to Repair initiative, discussing whether we actually own our devices when our access to repair is denied. And of course, whether Lovelace would’ve been a repairer and user of free and open-source software.

If you’d like to get involved you can join us at a (future) Rosie skillshare, for/by women and non-binary people.

Links:

Finding Ada: ALD
Finding Ada: Who was Ada?
Adacore: The Ada programming language
iPad Rehab
She*fix Tutorials
Repair Revolution
London Bike Kitchen
Open Rights Group
Right to Repair Campaigns: US and Europe (which didn’t exist when we did the original recording)

[Featured image “Ada Lovelace” by Susanna Dahlgren is in public domain]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 56: A smartphone OS that respects user data privacy, with Gaël Duval Sep 22, 2020

To kick off the autumn season of the podcast, we talked to French entrepreneur and founder of e Foundation, Gaël Duval. Duval has spent years developing alternative operating systems in an effort to improve user experience and efficiency. Now, with his non-profit organisation e Foundation, he is prioritising user data privacy with /e/, an operating system for smartphones. We find out why a change in our approach to data protection is such a necessity.

From Mandrake to /e/

So we begin with the critical question: why did Duval become interested in user privacy and data protection? He tells us of how his previous work such as Mandrake Linux, was guided by usability and efficiency. Over time though, Duval noticed a shocking decrease in user privacy and a lack of government regulation in this area. So, he created the /e/ operating system to “give users a way to escape the mass surveillance of personal data.”

‘De-Googling’ and data privacy

At present, /e/ is the main product of e Foundation. It offers an alternative to iOS and Android that prioritises user data protection while ensuring ease of use. When informed about the dangers of data tracking, many smartphone users are concerned with these issues. So why is next to nothing being done to stop it? Duval explains why many users do not seem to be bothered in an actionable way to protect their privacy. He says that often it comes down to a – possibly unfounded – trust in well-known brands, and a misunderstanding of how our data could potentially be used.

“I really support the idea that by default our personal data should belong to us and not to others. If you want to give your personal data, you can do it, but do it explicitly. Do it on purpose but [don’t] let all your personal data be cached for some reason that we don’t always know.”

Integral to /e/ is the concept of ‘de-googling’ a device, and on a larger scale, the systems that we use. Duval explains the many inconspicuous and insidious ways that the biggest technology companies are collecting our data – with Apple and Google forming a duopoly that holds the most control. Piece by piece, e Foundation has removed the integration of Google services from their operating system in order to eliminate any unnecessary data tracking performed by Android. Not only does he question the data practices that these companies use but also the market control they have. He thinks that there needs to be a shift in power to make OSes and app creation more open.

The ecosystem of an OS

Duval explains the process it takes to create the complex ‘ecosystem’ of an OS and how they use open source software to develop an OS that can work for all. Every part of /e/, from cloud services to the way that users sign in, has been built with privacy in mind. What sets it apart from other alternative OSes is their effort to ensure compatibility with users’ existing digital habits. For some, it is impossible not to use major apps like Instagram and WhatsApp. While these might have questionable approaches to data gathering, Duval stresses the need for users to have the option to access them for /e/ to compete with mainstream OSes.

Finally, we touch on a topic that we are all too familiar with – software obsolescence. Most smartphone manufacturers refuse to commit to long-term software and security updates. Duval reassures us that built into the ethos of /e/ is a commitment to combat software obsolescence by producing patches and long-term updates that secure the OS. While there are of course limits to this, it is clear that the approach e Foundation is taking is much more sustainable than that of the major OS creators.

Links:

[Photo courtesy of e Foundation]

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Restart Radio: Hackney Fixers’ laptop repair and reuse project Sep 09, 2020

On our first radio show back for the new season, Ugo is joined by James Diamond from Hackney Fixers. They talk about the laptop repair and reuse project that Hackney Fixers are undertaking to benefit the community. Over the last few months, it has become even clearer that we need to support those without the necessary access to electronics and the internet. Many community repair projects have taken it upon themselves to do something about it. We hear how.

False alarm over right to repair

Before our interview, we take a look at some recent news stories involving the movement and our electronics ecosystem. In Massachusetts, The Alliance for Automotive Innovation has funded an advert against the right to repair for independent vehicle repair. Their claim is that a new proposition, aimed at expanding right to repair for independent mechanics, would make data collected by cars vulnerable to interference from stalkers and predators. This sends a very emotive warning to supposed potential victims. Ugo and James agree this is a scaremongering technique. Instead, they question the motives of those disrupting progress on the right to repair and the interests that back them.

How sustainable are our supply chains?

We then look at the European Commission’s recently announced plans to create domestic supply chains for lithium and other raw materials. 93% of the magnesium currently used in EU products is sourced from China and this is not an anomaly in the way that our current – particularly electronics – supply chains operate. Ugo and James discuss what the solutions to these concerns could be. While the EU are planning to open more mines in Europe, they stress that the focus should be shifted towards sustainability and reuse in order to conserve these materials.

Staying connected

James tells us how the pandemic has impacted Hackney Fixers, preventing them from running their Restart Party events, quintessential to their identity. These difficulties are something that we are sure all community repair groups have felt throughout the last few months. Recently though, Hackney Fixers have been spending time using their skills to refurbish laptops to donate to those in need. James tells us about how they started their collaboration with Mer-It, an Islington-based community project, and the effect that it has had on those who they have helped so far.

Repair and reuse to enhance inclusion

During the pandemic, many of us have been pushed online – even more so than we already were. While this may not have been so problematic for some, for those who do not have their own computer or internet connection this has been a major barrier to their lives. Across all generations, the closure of communal spaces, schools, and workplaces has exposed the inequalities in access to what could be considered an essential resource. This is why the work that community repairers are doing to increase access is so vital. James emphasises that this need will continue even now that school is back in session.

We also take a chance to express again how important it is to combat barriers to repair. During this time it is ever more important that people are able to repair, and that manufacturers reduce software and hardware barriers. This will help us stay connected and access the resources we need. To round out our discussion, James tells us about some unexpected repairs and his renewed belief that further life and utility can be found in even the least promising looking devices.

Hackney Fixers are not currently looking for new donations, however they may start accepting them in later months. In the meantime, check out our database of UK projects to find out where you can donate your old devices!

Links:

[Photo courtesy of Hackney Fixers]

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**Restart Podcast Ep. 55: Why we need climate education, with Teach the Future** Jul 28, 2020
As a very unusual school year came to a close, we talked to Jude Daniel Smith, a youth activist and Campaign Coordinator for Teach the Future. Despite only joining the organisation in February, Jude has already been part of big progress made since. We talk about how he started in the climate movement and why the need for climate education is so urgent.

In recent years, the climate movement has seen more young people come to the forefront. Most high profile perhaps, being in the international School Strike for Climate movement – those like Greta Thunberg, Alexandria Villasenor, and Leah Namugerwa.

In the UK however, a new and pointed movement is growing rapidly. Run jointly by UKSCN (UK Student Climate Network) and SOS-UK (Students Organising for Sustainability UK), Teach the Future aims to reshape the school curriculum to reflect the urgency of the climate crisis and equip younger generations for its inevitable impact on their future. Jude believes that this urgency is what is mobilising younger activists so strongly in this area.

The steps to climate education

Teach the Future are very clear in their path to change. Jude explains the 3 key asks of the movement and why they are so vital to progress.

First, they are calling for a government review. This will examine how the current education system is equipping students with the knowledge to manage the coming ecological crisis.

Second, Jude points out that only 75% of teachers have said that feel equipped to teach their students on the climate crisis. He does note that his Geography teacher went above and beyond to teach them on the topic. But this is an outlying case. It is not enough for teachers to care about the climate crisis if they are not empowered to teach it. So, it is down to those in government and on school boards to support educators in this vital way.

“Our biggest inspiration was in reality more of a let-down, like we’d been let down by our education system…We were sort of doing it through frustration rather than from inspiration.”

The third ask, an English Climate Emergency Education Act. Teach the Future members have already drafted this bill and they say that it would be the first piece of education regulation to be written by students.

Teach the Future with Nadia Whittome MP

Integrating climate change across the curriculum

What Jude emphasises about climate education is that it must not be optional or a side-note to a larger topic. Rather, the climate crisis is the bigger issue. He points out that in the current curriculum, most students will only be able to access more detailed learning on the climate through advanced Geography. Or sometimes optional modules in Design and Technology (a subject somewhat analogous to the US’ “shop class” of old). What Teach the Future are calling for is the integration of climate issues across the board, as Jude argues that these topics are applicable to all subjects in one way or another.

Access and agency

Importantly, we also grapple with the fact that access to resources and information on sustainability is not equal in England. Growing up in Sheffield, Jude speaks from personal experience of seeing reactions to the climate movement from an area previously so based in the coal mining industry. Here we see how a lack of government support for these communities compounded with a lack of education on the climate crisis can sew disillusionment or simply apathy. Jude believes that universal climate education backed by the government is what is needed to “turn anxiety into agency.”

**Links:**

Teach the Future

Climate Emergency Education Bill

Jude Daniel Smith on Twitter

[Photos courtesy of Teach the Future]

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Restart Radio: Our 2020 Summer Reading List Jul 15, 2020

On July’s episode, we hear from several members of the Restart Team with their reviews of books for our summer reading list. First, though, we discuss the current inquiry on electronic waste by the UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee. In late June, Ugo was invited to give oral evidence at a hearing of the EAC. He shared how right to repair regulation can help prevent e-waste, and how manufacturers around the world have been systematically undermining campaigners’ efforts in this respect.

EAC reflections

Before we jump into our reading recommendations, Ugo and Holly discuss some key takeaways from the hearing of the EAC inquiry. We listen to quotations from Jim Puckett of Basel Action Network, Libby Peake of Green Alliance, and a short exchange between Ugo and Nadia Whittome MP. Discussing these, we discuss how the focus needs to be shifted from recycling to extending the lifecycle of electronics, especially as the disposal of electronics is harming the planet more often than we are aware. In addition, we emphasise again the need for the right to repair to prevent device obsolescence.

Our summer reading list

Design Justice: Community-Led Practices to Build the Worlds We Need by Sasha Costanza-Chock

First up for our reading list reviews, James tell us about Sasha Costanza-Chock’s book Design Justice: Community-Led Practices to Build the Worlds We Need. In the book, Costanza-Chock follows the design process from origin to output. The book examines how design traditions have developed, how they interact with the world around them, and their socio-historical effects. James highlights the importance of considering design as a political act and becoming aware that most devices and objects are not necessarily designed with everyone in mind. He highlights also that the fourth chapter of the book – ‘Design Sites: Hackerspaces, Fablabs, Hackathons, and DiscoTechs’ – may be of specific interest to our Restart community.

Hello World: How to be Human in the Age of the Machine by Hannah Fry

Next up is Neil’s review of Hello World: How to be Human in the Age of the Machine by Hannah Fry. Fry’s book focuses on the increasing prevalence of decision-making algorithms in our daily lives and aims to inform us on how these may be influencing and shaping our society in unseen ways. While Neil stresses that this book is not anti-algorithm, he tells us of Fry’s integral examination of how bias is built into these systems, both knowingly and unknowingly – simultaneously mimicking and advancing dangerous societal power structures.

The Case for the Green New Deal by Ann Pettifor

Ugo shares a glowing review of Ann Pettifor’s The Case for the Green New Deal, a book that he had been wanting to read for a while and he was not disappointed. Pettifor accentuates the fact that we desperately need true system change if we want to respond effectively to climate change. She calls for change to financial systems and the way that we are programmed in regards to consumption. This volume surely speaks to many of the issues discussed at the top of the show, and helps explain why activists should not underestimate the role of finance if we want to make a real impact.

Lo-TEK, Design by Radical Indigenism by Julia Watson

Finally, Janet shares her thoughts on Lo-TEK, Design by Radical Indigenism by Julia Watson. The book focuses on how we can learn from indigenous approaches to design in order to develop more sustainable infrastructure. Janet’s main criticism of the book is the lack of indigenous voices actually included in this discussion and the feeling that it operates more as an outsider’s view on how these concepts can be adapted. Still, Watson holds space for an important conversation about how TEK – or Traditional Ecological Knowledge, as coined by Eva Marie Garroute – can lead us to a positive change in our technological trajectory.

Links:

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Foot Work by Tansy Hoskins — **Restart Podcast Ep. 54: Shoes and urgent system change with Tansy Hoskins** Jun 23, 2020
We talk to author and journalist, Tansy Hoskins, whose latest book *Foot Work: What Your Shoes are Doing to the World* leads us to explore issues of labour rights, clothing sustainability, and the failings of global shareholder capitalism at large. We met Hoskins at Fixfest in Berlin last year. Her call for legislated reform has only become more timely, as our global system is reeling from the pandemic and its fallout.

A personal problem

Throughout *Foot Work*, Hoskins takes us on a journey to reconnect with the processes and cost — not only in a financial sense — of shoe production. An integral barrier to change in this industry she says is the personal attachment that we have to our clothes.

“It kind of skews our thinking about the fashion industry as well because it’s such a personal consumption item. Often people end up getting trapped in only thinking about it as a personal item rather than a political item or an object of global industry.”

Hoskins also notes that the mystification of production and labour contributes to this detachment from the origins of our shoes. We discuss how this came to be through the exportation of labour and the strength of brand identity. Hidden by this are the hazardous — and sometimes deadly — working conditions of garment workers in the Global South. These issues then worsened by a lack of unionisation and enforced government regulation. We explore what changes to make as a society to be able to take proper responsibility as informed consumers.

How much do we really need?

Moreover, we discuss how the idea of ‘need’ can lead to our acceptance of these environmental and human rights abuses. Shoes have been essential for humans for quite a while but this does not mean that 66 million pairs need to be produced every day, as was the case in 2018. (That’s equivalent to 23.5 billion pairs a year, over ten times the number of mobiles produced!) Many of the same sustainability issues that we found in our mobiles episode are echoed in the footwear industry. These include a lack of repairability; consumption of raw materials at an unsustainable rate; and an incredibly quick turnaround in buying new.

Global, radical change

Recently, the media is searching for an environmental silver lining to our current pandemic-imposed lifestyles. Hoskins is adamant there is nothing positive for the fashion industry. In fact, many major brands are failing to pay workers for items that they have already produced. This wage is often the difference between barely getting by and hunger and circumstances are only worsened at present. However, it does appear that more people are beginning to see the wealth disparity that is prevalent in the Western world too. She asks if capitalism is currently working on a global scale — not only for garment workers but for consumers also — and for her, the overwhelming answer is no.

“This to me is going to involve global legislation with teeth…None of this lies with shopping differently. And definitely none of this lies with leaving this kind of change to brands to do by themselves.”

Hoskins stresses the limits of only focussing on individual action. Only through legislation can larger issues like labour and environmental abuses be tackled properly. While it is important to be mindful on an individual level, we must also seek system-level change for changes to stick.

**Links:**

*Foot Work: What Your Shoes Are Doing to the World*

NYT: Why Won’t We Learn from the Survivors of the Rana Plaza Disaster?

Restart Podcast Ep. 50: Why we must win the right to repair our smartphones

History of the Anti-globalisation movement

[Images courtesy of Tansy Hoskins]

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Restart Radio: The urgent need for diversity in tech, and how repair can help Jun 10, 2020

News of Henrik Huseby’s verdict hit us, at the Restart Project, hard at the beginning of June. As such, we discuss the ways that intellectual property law restricts repair and hurts repairers like Huseby. Our main topic is a more positive story as we share a speech from Josh Babarinde of Cracked It, who is making repair more accessible as a career for ex-offenders and at-risk youth. He also highlights the ever-pressing issue of a lack of diversity in the tech industry, and its dangerous, real-world consequences.

Huseby versus big tech

Huseby is a repairer from Norway who makes his living by running a small repair business. In 2017, screens he says were refurbished in China were seized by Norwegian customs and he has since been fighting against a claim of ‘counterfeit’ from Apple. Last week the Supreme Court of Norway ruled in favour of Apple. Janet and Ugo discuss the verdict and its implications in terms of sustainability and the survival of independent repairers.

Finding a future in repair

While disappointed that we cannot hold Fixfest UK in Glasgow as planned, we were excited to kick off the 2020 series with our first online event. For a little optimism, we look to someone who has been aiding young people in kickstarting their careers via repair. We invited Josh Babarinde, founder and CEO of Cracked It, as our keynote speaker and decided to share his speech on this episode as it has become relevant now more than ever.

Cracked It works with young ex-offenders in London to get them into work. Cracked It trains their young employees to fix iPhones to a professional standard and then linking them with clients. Ultimately, their goal is to equip at-risk youth with the skills and support that they need to leave or prevent a life of crime. He says Cracked It works with

individuals that before coming to us had many, many doors slammed in their faces. Who wouldn’t be touched with a barge pole because of their pasts… And what we’re able to do through repair which is a blind process — in the sense that it does not discriminate, it only discriminates against incompetence of repair, it doesn’t discriminate against what your past might be — we’ve been able to use it to empower, to up-skill young people, develop repair skills and employability skills more generally to assist them in their transition into employment.

A dangerous lack of diversity

Babarinde also brought to light the essential issue of inclusivity and diversity in the tech sector. At The Restart Project, the question of how we can ensure our repair community reflects the wider society has been key. The omission of black and ethnic minority life experiences in tech can have life-changing and life-threatening consequences. Linking the Black Lives Matter agenda to tech, Babarinde uses key examples to illustrate the inability of facial recognition technology to recognise darker skin tones – a result of the lack of diversity in the teams involved in development of this tech. The implications are frightening. Yet Babarinde challenges us to understand community electronics repair as a unique opportunity to create more opportunities in tech.

Links:

[Photo courtesy of Vicky Grout for Positive News]

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Running Low-Tech Magazine — **Restart Podcast Ep. 53: Our low-tech future with Kris De Decker** May 26, 2020
On May’s episode of the podcast, we talk to journalist Kris De Decker about how low-tech of the past can serve as inspiration to improve our future. We discuss historical ways of producing power and how they can help us better understand our energy usage. As well as this, how our current idea of sustainability and our economic model may be inherently incompatible. How much is too much?

Learning from low-tech

Firstly, we delve into De Decker’s philosophy and why he believes that we need to pay much more attention to low technology. He does not discount the difficulties that he has faced living low tech but holds strong that this is a process that we all may have to evolve through.

“I don’t want to go back to the 19th century…It’s more about what can you learn from the past, and putting new technologies to good use.”

As a journalist, De Decker runs Low-Tech Magazine – its subheading reads “doubts on progress and technology”. He tells us about how he deals with the irony of writing about low-tech on the internet and the way that the website has been optimised to use as little energy as possible to run. Taking it one step further, we discuss his solar-powered website and how he believes the principles applied there could be adapted at large.

Powered by people

De Decker may not envision a future of completely human-produced power. But he explains how his art project, Human Power Plant, can encourage people to recognise the true value of the energy they use. Through this very literal experiment of a self-regulating and energy-producing community, he hopes that we can learn to moderate energy consumption according to true need rather than accessibility.

“When you have to generate your own power, you’re gonna think twice about the amount of power you need…We don’t ask ourselves this question now because energy is so cheap and it seems like it’s infinite.”

Finally, we discuss how digital devices are ingrained into our everyday lives. The conversation of how much is too much screen time is not a new one.

However, we consider the way that many physical activities such as making music and drawing have been adapted digitally. How satisfying is this “progress”? What are we losing with it? And ultimately, where might we backtrack from this high tech progress so we can survive on Earth? How can we integrate the new with the tried-and-tested?

**Links:**

Low-Tech Magazine

Solar Powered Website

Human Power Plant

[Images courtesy of Kris De Decker and Diego Marmolejo]

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Restart Radio: Apple’s T2 Chip and ownership rights after the first owner May 13, 2020

On May’s show, we discuss limits placed on refurbishment and reuse by a notorious manufacturer through its T2 chip. We consider their responsibility if millions of devices go to waste prematurely. Janet and Ugo are joined by friend of the show John Bumstead, a Minneapolis-based laptop refurbisher and owner of RDKL, Inc. who has experienced many – if not all – of these limitations first hand in his work.

Repairing and saving lives

At the top of the show, we return to the topic of ventilator repair during this pandemic. We highlight the relative silence around the work of biomedical engineers. Refreshingly, a recent op-ed by US biomed Leiticia Reynolds, co-authored with Kevin O’Reilly (US PIRG), tells the story of those facing the pandemic every day. And it calls out all of the barriers to repairing medical equipment imposed by manufacturers.

The T2 chip: responsibility in reuse

Next, we talk to computer refurbisher John Bumstead to hear about the growth in interest in his glitch art business since we first talked to him a couple of years ago.

But our main interest is Apple’s T2 chip and laptop repair, is one that Bumstead is absolutely familiar with. We ask about his recent experience of going viral on Twitter and spreading his knowledge to skeptics and those in need.

Bumstead has years of experience in refurbishing laptops at scale. But recent developments — the T2 chip and its relationship to “Activation Lock” — combined with complacency or lack of resources of companies, are forcing refurbishers to scrap machines that sold less than two years ago for $3000. Bumstead believes

If the inevitable result of a design is that thousands or millions of devices get scrapped; then to me it’s self-evident that there’s a problem with that design.

Then, we discuss the various arguments around this topic: who should take responsibility for enabling the reuse of devices; the supposed trade-offs between reusability and security; and the degradation of property rights for customers of secondhand products.

(We did not discuss on the show, but noting here that Bumstead and others have figured out how to restore some of these machines. It’s not clear if this procedure is viable at scale. Video shared below.)

At home improvement

Finally, we take a look at a selection of Google Trends relating to “How to Fix” searches over the past couple of months. There are some surprising trends. Some are to be expected, like people fixing game consoles and bikes. But what becomes clear is that being in lockdown is incentivising us to repair at home to keep us both entertained and connected.

Links:

[Image courtesy of John Bumstead]

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Armstrong Wireless and Television Ltd. Circuit Diagram — **Restart Podcast Ep. 52: Combining nostalgia with the new at Armstrong Audio** Apr 30, 2020
For our April episode, we talk to Shamil Joomun, the co-owner of London-based vintage audio restoration company and café, Armstrong Audio. Now located in Walthamstow, east London, Armstrong Audio has a long history and a unique approach to repair. We talk to Shamil about his father, Twaleb, and his start in the industry and his eventual ownership of the store, and the multiple ways that Shamil has updated their business to become more than your average repair shop.

Analog attachment and the business of repair

Shamil tells us of the highs and lows of running such a focused vintage audio repair business. Business is booming, demand for audio repair holds strong, and the repair community continues to grow. It’s clear how rewarding the work that Armstrong does is, partly due to the nostalgia value of the equipment people bring.

At the core of Shamil’s message is the need for repairers to understand their customers’ emotional connection to their belongings. Rather than viewing these objects as a technical challenge to be repaired, or looking at their skillset in a purely transactional way, Shamil calls on repair businesses to really understand the love that customers have for their things. And with this, to structure their business around this love.

Armstrong Audio has had challenges recruiting engineers who are experienced enough in the field and also share their philosophy. They invite repairers that may just view it as a hobby, or budding fixers, to view upskilling inside of businesses like theirs as an opportunity to find viable career paths in the industry.

Looking local

We couldn’t finish this episode without discussing the toll that the current pandemic and lockdown measures are having on independent businesses and the high street as a whole. In recent years Armstrong Audio have adapted their business in a variety of ways to involve the customer in the process of repair and creating a more welcoming atmosphere, and as such has become a local standout. While one might expect Shamil to have a negative outlook on having to close his store, for the time being, he actually highlights the possibility of a brighter future for the relationship between local communities and their businesses.

Links:

Armstrong Audio (the business today!)

Wikipedia on Armstrong Audio’s history

Photos of Armstrong Audio equipment and people at the UK Hifi Historical Society

Armstrong Factory Maps

Our Covid-19 London repair listing

[Images courtesy of Armstrong Audio, Ken Hart, Jim Lesurf and the UK Hi-Fi History Society]

The post Restart Podcast Ep. 52: Combining nostalgia with the new at Armstrong Audio appeared first on The Restart Project.

**Restart Podcast Ep. 52: Combining nostalgia with the new at Armstrong Audio** Apr 30, 2020
For our April episode, we talk to Shamil Joomun, the co-owner of London-based vintage audio restoration company and café, Armstrong Audio. Now located in Walthamstow, east London, Armstrong Audio has a long history and a unique approach to repair. We talk to Shamil about his father, Twaleb, and his start in the industry and his eventual ownership of the store, and the multiple ways that Shamil has updated their business to become more than your average repair shop.

Analog attachment and the business of repair

Shamil tells us of the highs and lows of running such a focused vintage audio repair business. Business is booming, demand for audio repair holds strong, and the repair community continues to grow. It’s clear how rewarding the work that Armstrong does is, partly due to the nostalgia value of the equipment people bring.

At the core of Shamil’s message is the need for repairers to understand their customers’ emotional connection to their belongings. Rather than viewing these objects as a technical challenge to be repaired, or looking at their skillset in a purely transactional way, Shamil calls on repair businesses to really understand the love that customers have for their things. And with this, to structure their business around this love.

Armstrong Audio has had challenges recruiting engineers who are experienced enough in the field and also share their philosophy. They invite repairers that may just view it as a hobby, or budding fixers, to view upskilling inside of businesses like theirs as an opportunity to find viable career paths in the industry.

Looking local

We couldn’t finish this episode without discussing the toll that the current pandemic and lockdown measures are having on independent businesses and the high street as a whole. In recent years Armstrong Audio have adapted their business in a variety of ways to involve the customer in the process of repair and creating a more welcoming atmosphere, and as such has become a local standout. While one might expect Shamil to have a negative outlook on having to close his store, for the time being, he actually highlights the possibility of a brighter future for the relationship between local communities and their businesses.

Links:

Armstrong Audio (the business today!)

Wikipedia on Armstrong Audio’s history

Photos of Armstrong Audio equipment and people at the UK Hifi Historical Society

Armstrong Factory Maps

Our Covid-19 London repair listing

[Images courtesy of Armstrong Audio, Ken Hart, Jim Lesurf and the UK Hi-Fi History Society]

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Restart Radio: Reuse and repair with two frontline medical professionals Apr 15, 2020

April’s show focuses on a topic that has become literally inescapable as of late, a constant fixture in our lives, the pandemic. We turned to Dr. Tarek Loubani and his colleague Reidun Garapick for a discussion on what can be done now to make a difference.

Dr. Loubani’s expertise comes from his work as an emergency care doctor. But he’s also Medical Director for the Glia Project, a charity that focuses on producing low-resource and low-cost medical devices, having learned from its operation in the Gaza Strip. We talk to him and Garapick about the reusable face shield that they have developed for use in hospitals. And at the present moment, how they transferred these experiences and resources to help medical workers in Canada.

Sustainable protection through reuse

Face shields are just one of the necessary pieces of equipment needed by healthcare workers. We discuss the lack of personal protective equipment and how this can be solved in a rapid and sustainable way. Those doing the most critical work caring for patients with Covid-19 must feel safe in their ability to do their jobs in such a high-risk environment. While the media focus is on the “lack” of supplies, Dr. Loubani and Garapick are steadfast in the belief that this could be solved via reusable equipment and procedures for reuse. We discuss why many are so resistant to this.

Will corporations change their approach?

Garapick also highlights the need for open-source designs of medical equipment and access to free repair information more than ever. Now is a time where innovation could save lives. We discuss how the barriers to this could be broken down to help those who are working to repair high-demand, essential devices such as ventilators. Major companies such as Tesla, as well as open source initiatives, are working towards producing medical devices and we discuss how useful this really is.

Beyond the pandemic

Both medical professionals make it clear that reusable and repairable medical equipment is the way forward, not just a strategy for dealing with this pandemic. Loubani warns us of the possibility of a reversal of sustainability-led thinking once the crisis is over, which is a recurrent theme. This is also a call to arms for all repairers, makers, and activists: your skills are essential and can be utilised in ways that can save people’s lives. We must push for essential changes to the system that will live on beyond the pandemic.

Links:

[Photos courtesy of Glia]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 51: Copyright law, ownership and crisis with Aaron Perzanowski Mar 27, 2020

For our March episode, we dare to dive into the increasingly complex world of intellectual property law – a topic suddenly becoming ever more pertinent in the face of a global pandemic. Dave is joined by Aaron Perzanowski, a professor of law at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. We talk about how developments in the electronics consumer market are posing new complications in the relationship between manufacturers and consumers. Perzanowski’s latest book, written with co-author Jason Schultz, ‘The End of Ownership’ explores many of these questions.

The shifting nature of ownership

We ask first about ownership. How does the move from physical ownership to digital ownership affect our rights as consumers? Are the goalposts of this ownership shifting in a time where our ability to continue using our devices is becoming more and more mediated by the companies that sold them to us? How is user autonomy being influenced or slowly eroded? We looked to Perzanowski for some ideas in how we can become more informed and aware of our rights as consumers.

User license agreements use complex and legalistic language, making these contracts inaccessible to the average consumer. We make an effort to unpack terms such as DRM (Digital Rights Management) or EULA (End User License Agreement). In discussing this it becomes very clear the hidden barriers that companies can impose to minimise consumer rights.

Copyright during crisis

But the most immediately pressing matter we talk about in this episode is the recent use of trademark law to inhibit emergency responses to the current pandemic. Recently, those producing vaccines and repairing essential medical equipment ran into barriers, with patent holders suing (or threatening to sue) for efforts intended to save lives. We ask Perzanowski whether these laws should be upheld in such a time of global crisis.

Hoping for change

Looking further into the future of trademark law and the electronics industry, Perzanowski comments on how governments can make efforts to protect and support consumer rights. And finally, we explore why these actions need to be taken as soon as possible to ensure that we work towards a more sustainable relationship with our electronics. We cannot achieve this without more thought about the viability of tethered products.

Links:

Read the first chapter of Aaron Perzanowski’s book here
“The Tethered Economy” by Perzanowski, Hoofnagle, Kesari
Wired: Best Buy Made These Smart Home Gadgets Dumb Again
The Verge: A SoftBank-owned company used Theranos patents to sue over COVID-19 tests
US PIRG petition to manufacturers to open up service documentation

[Image by Daan Stevens is licensed under the Pexels license]

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Restart Radio: Global supply chains and The Virus Mar 12, 2020

For March’s show we take a look at perhaps the most unavoidable topic in our world today, coronavirus (COVID-19). We took this as an opportunity though, to discuss the issue in light of a topic that is relevant all the time, the supply chains that are integral to the electronics industry and how sustainable they really are. Janet was joined by long-time Restart volunteer, Panda Mery, to delve deeper into the unseen complexities of tech supply chains and what we may not realise is going into the production of our devices.

Good and bad news for repairability

Before diving into this massive topic, we had a couple smaller, but still important stories to discuss. We returned to tech-giant Apple and $500 million settlement in the US following a class-action lawsuit over ‘Batterygate’ and the purposeful slowing down of iPhones. Is this such a minuscule fine in the grand scheme of things that it is almost ineffectual? And how ethical is this practice that Apple employed? Then some good news from our friends at iFixit about electronic repairability standards – a major victory for the Right to Repair movement. And finally, some questionable tactics in the UK government’s approach towards e-waste collection, which indicate divergence from ambitious EU targets.

What the Virus means for tech supply chains – and the world

Approaching our main topic of the day – the Virus – we want to take caution and recognise that focusing on the issue in a tech-centric way does stand to erase some of the bigger issues at stake, those of how this will impact citizen autonomy and increase the control that governments have over us and our bodies.

In terms of tech, we discuss how international and complex supply chains have become and the way that a pandemic of this kind is already having sufficient impact on the global economy and tech industry as a whole. This proves the advantages of making electrical components more reusable to leave us less beholden to these supply chains. We also look at how the environment has been impacted by a sudden decrease in production and travel.

Overshadowed issues

Finally, we close with two shocking stories that have managed to be all but buried by other news this month. We discuss an investigation into forced labour of Uighurs in China in factories that produce components that are almost certainly in your devices. We think about what action consumers can take, and how far we can actually help to solve these issues.

Then a look at a White House cover up of information on the chemical trichloroethylene (TCE), and how Brexit may impact access to technical information on risks associated with chemical usage in industry, that bears great influence over public health.

Although there is certainly much more to say about supply chains, with all of these topics we aim to encourage you to educate yourself on all of the steps it takes for a device to be in your hands and how you can support those involved along the way, and our planet as a whole.

Links:

Right to Repair smartphones petition
U.S. PIRG: $500M settlement for Apple’s “BatteryGate” underscores need for Right to Repair
iFixit: Fixers Know What ‘Repairable’ Means—Now There’s a Standard for It
Let’s Recycle: Defra slashes WEEE collection targets
Wired: The Right to Repair Will Help Us Endure Outbreaks
Australian Strategic Policy Institute report “Uyghurs for Sale“
Independent: Apple, Samsung and Sony among 83 global brands using Uighur Muslim ‘forced labour’ in factories, report finds
EDF: Trump EPA’s draft evaluation of cancer-causing TCE cuts corners, putting kids’ health at risk
CHEM Trust’s Brexit and Chemical Protections

[Featured image courtesy of the CDC]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 50: Why we must win the right to repair our smartphones Feb 26, 2020

In early February, the European Right to Repair Campaign launched a petition demanding the addition of smartphones to future EU legislation on device repairability. Restart is a part of this campaign.

What we are asking for sounds simple: good design of our devices, fair access to repair manuals and spare parts, and information on our products and how to repair them. However, manufacturers have blocked this at every turn. Smartphones have quickly become the most used electronic devices in our lives and we need the means to prolong their lives and reduce e-waste.

A look back

In this, our 50th episode, we look back to previous episodes of the podcast to piece together why it is so important that we fight for the right to repair our phones.

From designers, to geographers, to repairers, to engineers, to our own team… we hear how people have struggled with repairing their own phones and how they believe consumer and manufacturer attitudes towards our devices must change.

Following the lifecycle of a smartphone, we start at the design process. We touch upon how to design more ethically and sustainably, and the debate regarding the trade-off between aesthetics and functionality. We hear about the restrictions that manufacturers put in place, both explicitly in their terms of use and implicitly: roadblocks that Right to Repair are specifically fighting against.

From hardware to software, we discuss premature obsolescence and how far the responsibility falls on phone manufacturers to help us keep our phones updated and secure.

And finally, while their small size may be deceiving, we also talk to experts about how disposing of your smartphone leads to a lot more waste than just in the materials – which in themselves are often rare and unsalvageable. We learn about the massive carbon footprint of mobiles outside of their in-use stage and how repairing our devices would limit this.

Time for a change

Ultimately, we hope this episode will make you think, and remind you how little our discussion on smartphones has evolved over the years.

Some of the issues that we discussed five years ago are still crucial in the world of mobile manufacture and they need to finally be addressed. So sign the petition and fight for the right to repair your smartphone!

Links:

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Restart Radio: Being smarter about connected devices and security Feb 12, 2020

On ‘Safer Internet Day’, Janet and Ugo are joined in the studio by Restarter Ben Skidmore to discuss the developing Sonos scandal, planned device obsolescence, and new proposed UK legislation to increase the security of connected devices.

But first: last week, as part of the European Right to Repair campaign, we launched a petition on smartphones’ repairability. We are calling on the European Commission to introduce legislation requiring smartphone manufacturers to make more repairable and longer-lasting devices. (Link below.)

One step forward, two steps back with Apple

No surprise that our first topic of discussion revolved around frequent subject of the show, Apple. Last week, the French regulato for competition and fraud fined Apple €25 million (around £21m) for intentionally slowing down iPhones with iOS updates and not warning phone owners. We discuss whether this a step forward or more of a reactive and temporary fix for the bigger issue of the lack of regulation of software and its interplay with hardware.

We also briefly discussed the concerning new information that has come to light regarding Apple’s IRP (Independent Repair Program) that was announced last summer. VICE’s Motherboard released details of the document that Apple is requiring repair businesses to sign in order to participate in the program. It exposes the lack of freedom the programme actually presents for independent repairers and if this was simply a performative move by Apple pre-empting the Right to Repair agenda.

The Sonos scandal and obsolescence of connected hardware

Our main topic revolved around Sonos coming under fire for their announcement that ‘legacy’ products would no longer receive support in terms of software or security updates. Not only did this render these devices almost obsolete, this change would also affect newer devices that are connected to them on the same network.

Though Sonos offered a few fixes to this new policy, what kind of precedent does this set for the disposal of devices where the hardware is still physically ok? But also, this public outcry did bolster our belief in the future of our agenda of longer-lasting technology.

Securing our smart technology

Finally, our discussion of the new proposed UK legislation on the security of “Internet of Things” reminds Janet of a parenting horror story that immediately prompted her friend to get rid of her hacked Nest device. While this reaction was understandable, again this disposal of devices that are well within the usable period of their lifespan is exactly what we are trying to avoid.

With the panic that these security risks can cause, how can we build trust in our smart devices and make them safer, especially when they are increasingly being introduced into personal and private spaces? Is the UK government serious about this, and what will it take to move from a policy pronouncement to enforcement?

Links:

Right to Repair smartphones petition
The Big Fix 2020 details
ZDNet: Apple fined $27.4 million in France
VICE: Apple’s Independent Repair Program Is Invasive to Shops and Their Customers, Contract Shows
The Guardian: Sonos apologises over plan affecting older smart speakers
Naked Security: Sonos’s tone-deaf legacy product policy angers customers
ZDNet: IoT Security Legislation

[Featured image “Sonos PLAY 1 wireless speaker” by Robert Wetzlmayr is licensed under CC BY 4.0.]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 49: Tinker travelling with Mend It, Australia Jan 22, 2020

Two tinker-travelling retirees from Melbourne, Australia fill our podcast with joy this month. Dave talks to Karen and Danny, who spend their weekends travelling and helping new community repair groups get started in their home state of Victoria.

Danny is a talented repairer of all things mechanical and electrical and Karen is an accomplished mender. They have been tinkering, mending and fixing all of their lives. Both collaborate to troubleshoot and fix sewing machines.

Their story starts with frustration with their local authority, that repeatedly stymied their efforts to organise local repair events in their deprived area of western Melbourne. Making a positive out of a negative, over two years ago Karen and Danny decided to hit the road. They travel up to 500 kilometres round-trip to spread the joy of repair. With pack lunches, and short weekend trips, they make a difference.

Both began tinkering and repairing as children, and taking advantage of ample freedom to explore. Danny sought out a very hands-on technical education, which he laments does not really exist anymore.

Motivations and putting pressure on government

We talk with them about Australian motivations for repairing, and we ask whether the environment and climate change might motivate people.

Karen and Danny share their frustrations with disjointed and insufficient efforts of political leaders to prevent waste and help people live more sustainably. They also have no love for the companies selling poor quality products. Both insist that upstream change is needed to help people keep products for longer and make repair possible. They also believe that more government support is needed to support community repair and reuse efforts at the grassroots.

As citizens, they both participate when possible in consultations and opportunities to improve policy. But they say it’s still really early days for the Right to Repair movement in Australia. Same with organisation of the community repair movement itself, which is still fairly “siloed”.

Whatever emerges in future, we’re certain that Karen and Danny will remain strong, authentic ambassadors for repair, inspiring more and more Australians to get involved.

Links:

Mend It, Australia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
BBC News “Surgery students ‘losing dexterity to stitch patients’“
Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Recycling and Waste 2019
Mend It, Australia’s comment on the National Waste Policy Plan
The Bower’s Right to Repair petition

[Photo courtesy of Mend It, Australia]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 48: Henrik versus Goliath Corporation Dec 17, 2019

We interview Norwegian professional repairer Henrik Huseby about his court battle against Apple, which will reach Norway’s Supreme Court next year.

In 2017, Norwegian customs officials seized 63 imported, refurbished mobile screens destined for Huseby. He runs a very small repair shop in a town just outside of Oslo. Apple alleged the screens were “counterfeit”. Apple demanded Huseby sign an unfair letter, admitting to wrong-doing.

He refused. He won in his first court appearance, but Apple then won in a court of appeals. Huseby was not deterred and took the extraordinary step of appealing to the Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear his case in 2020.

Huseby runs his business alone and he’s trusted by local police, who repair their phones with him. We talk to him about his small town, his work and how he got into it, and why he decided to stand up against a trillion dollar company.

His case has everything to do with defending a “right to repair”, as Apple is strictly controlling access to spare parts. This has consequences small repair businesses globally as well as DIYers.

As Huseby points out, Apple is using obscure copyright claims as its “weapon” in this attempt to cut off supply of spare parts.

Understandably, Huseby is crowdfunding to cover his legal costs. If he wins and Apple is forced to pay his costs, he has committed to donating all funds to the new European Right to Repair campaign.

Thanks to Restarters Oslo and Maja van der Velden who’ve helped us follow this case over the past year.

Links:
• Henrik Huseby’s crowdfunder
• European Right to Repair campaign
• “We All Lose in the Case that Apple Won” University of Oslo

[Photo courtesy of Henrik Huseby]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 47: Secondhand around the world with Adam Minter Nov 26, 2019

This month we chat with author Adam Minter on his newest book “Secondhand: Travels In The New Global Garage Sale”. It’s out this month on Bloomsbury. We’ve followed Minter’s coverage of resource flows and waste for a couple of years now, and we were excited to read this book.

From Japan to Ghana and back again

Minter starts his book with a visit to “decluttering” in Japan and in the US, and we ask about this, and what the lifecycles of our stuff have to do with our own mortality. We talk about the global economies of resale goods, and ask him about a trip to the US-Mexico border as well as to visit repair and refurbishing businesses in Ghana.

While these economies often go under-counted by governments and policymakers, they are thriving and very dynamic. Minter brings them to life with his storytelling and the vivid characters he meets.

The future of secondhand

Even after exploring the decline of some secondhand economies, and the challenges small businesses face, we’re cheered to hear that Minter is quite optimistic about the future. He believes that more durable and repairable goods are an inevitability and he also believes that emerging economies will come around to more eco-friendly consumption far faster than we have in Europe and North America.

Minter was kind enough to record a special excerpt from the book of special interest to our audience, which we interweave with our interview.

Links:

• Secondhand: Travels In The New Global Garage Sale on Bloomsbury
• Adam Minter’s column at Bloomberg
• Adam Minter on Twitter

[Feature image courtesy of Adam Minter]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 46: Stories from our repair data Oct 24, 2019

Our Restart Parties — community repair events — are amazing citizen laboratories to examine the downstream impacts of our throw-away economy. Events generate rich repair data which can have impacts beyond the immediate fixes.

Over the years with volunteers and members of the public, we’ve seen and recorded thousands of repair attempts of a vast array of consumer products.

In this episode, Dave interviews Monique Szpak, Community Coordinator for Data for The Restart Project.

She takes us on a tour of the data collected at community repair events across the world by The Open Repair Alliance. Through an open data standard, Monique has helped to unify and compare the Alliance’s nearly 30,000 repair attempts. She shares some of the most poetic and amusing entries in the database.

Monique waxes philosophical with Dave about the meaning and ultimately the significance of this data. She also outlines some of the work ahead. It turns out it’s not easy to collect and work with “messy” data coming from adhoc community events, and Monique hints that the work is only just really starting.

In the near future, the Restart Project and partner organisations would like to use this data to influence regulation. Currently only manufacturer data contributes to policy processes.

Links:

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Restart Podcast Ep. 45: “No TV left behind” – the quiet importance of television standards Sep 25, 2019

Television has changed so much during the past couple of decades, from the way signals reach our living rooms, to the way television hardware and software is designed. Correspondingly, we have changed our viewing habits. Behind the scenes, there are teams of engineers working throughout the “ecosystem”. We often see our products as stand-alone physical objects, but these days they are embedded in ever-complex networks and software systems.

Behind the screens

Dave talks with two television standards engineers, Ben Skidmore with Freeview (part of Digital UK) and Ian Medland, Director of Testing with DTG (The Digital Television Group). They peel away some of the technical layers that might be ‘invisible’ to the average viewer of television. Skidmore explains how standards developed from radio through digital television, towards internet connectivity. Most of what we take for granted in the UK when we turn on a television is actually specified by detailed product standards.

So many different actors are involved in the development and maintenance of these standards, and Skidmore explains how it is largely in their interest to work together.

Longevity and support for older models

Skidmore and Medland talk about how standards, and careful planning and coordination can prevent obsolescence of television sets. Skidmore explains how the digital switchover was managed so that millions of sets were not turned into waste overnight. However, the lifespan of televisions did drop with the advent of digital television. But that trend is reversing. And as televisions have reached great energy efficiency in the use phase at this point (thanks to EU ecodesign standards), but still have a large footprint in manufacture, we’re encouraged to hear that longevity and support are increasingly seen as priorities by those creating standards.

A visit to “the zoo”

DTG tests every television that goes on the UK market to ensure they meet these standards. They have a “representative receiver collection” more affectionately known as “the zoo” in their London offices. Medland takes on a tour of the zoo and learn that they keep over 350 models as far as four years back. The collection is fairly irreplaceable and the zoo is a very protected space.

The episode closes with a reflection on how viewing has changed and how television content now caters to so many more tastes. And Skidmore shares how his love of fixing (he’s a volunteer with Restart) enters into his work.

Links:

Digital TV
The DTG
How did the UK switch to digital television? – Science Museum
The DTG Zoo

[Photo credit: The DTG]

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Restart Radio: Stories from Fixfest Italia Sep 13, 2019

Earlier this year, we travelled to Turin to take part in Fixfest Italia – the first national community repair gathering in Italy.

In the lead-up to Fixfest 2019 in Berlin, as an unusual treat, we are now sharing our first ever Restart Radio episode in Italian! It features interviews recorded in Turin during the event, capturing participants and organisers’ excitement, and the energy at the event.

Fixfest Italia took place within the Turin Mini Maker Faire, and included sessions on a range of topics, including campaigning for the Right to repair, teaching repair in schools, increasing collaboration in between local initiatives, and sharing best practices on insurance and outreach to potential volunteers. We enjoyed attending the event and meeting Restarters from 9 groups. And at the end of the event, our hosts Restarters Torino, threw a wonderful Restart Party, showcasing their diverse community of repair enthusiasts, local repair professionals and students joyfully repairing together.

If you are an Italian speaker, or you’d like to practice your Italian, go ahead and listen to this episode. If you need any help, you can also find the whole audio transcript below. If you don’t speak Italian – don’t despair, our regular podcast in English will be back later this month!

Many thanks to Restarter and audio engineer Stefania Fantini, who interviewed participants and edited the podcast. And thanks to Sergio Almerares from Restarters Milano for the full transcript in Italian.

Links:

*************************************************************

FULL AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

(0:34) Benvenuti a una puntata speciale di Restart Radio, (la) prima in Italiano.

E la dedichiamo alla prima edizione di Fixfest Italia 2019 che si e’ tenuta a Torino il 4 maggio e ha visto la partecipazione di gruppi Restarters e Repair Café da mezza Italia, persone che molto spesso non si erano mai conosciute ancora dal vivo e finalmente hanno avuto l’occasione di scambiarsi idee e consigli e opportunità per far crescere il movimento della riparazione e guardare alle prossime sfide che ci attendono.

Alla fine dell’incontro è emersa una voglia di fare rete insieme, quindi vedremo più’ collaborazioni in Italia sia tra i gruppi che hanno partecipato che fra i gruppi che purtroppo non sono potuti venire a Torino in questa occasione ma sicuramente verranno e ci sono 2 modi (in cui) questa collaborazione potrà essere fatta.

Prima di tutto attraverso la piattaforma restarters.net e poi attraverso il manifesto di Torino a cui si è lavorato durante il Fixfest che presto sarà pubblicato ma e’ gia’ visibile sulla piattaforma e che speriamo tutti i gruppi in Italia firmeranno e aiuteranno a diffondere per far crescere la consapevolezza del diritto alla riparazione.

Buon ascolto e grazie a Stefania per aver raccolto le interviste e grazie soprattutto a Rosario e Antonio per aver organizzato una così bella e piena di energia edizione del primo evento.

Ciao.

(2:14) Sono con Rosario di Torino, l’host del primo Fixfest Italia. Parlami un attimo innanzitutto del tuo gruppo.

Il mio gruppo di Restarter e’ un gruppo molto diciamo… unito anche se frastagliato. Ci sono parecchie competenze suddivise tra i vari membri di questo gruppo. Condividiamo conoscenze, questo è stato presente, anche una delle tematiche dell’evento odierno. Ci muoviamo fornendo delle soluzioni di diverso tipo come assistenza settimanale, i Restart Party una volta al mese o ad eventi particolari. Quindi abbiamo una presenza sul territorio di Torino diciamo fluida ma siamo molto presenti diciamo.

E questa esperienza di organizzare il primo Fixfest Italia?

E’ stata diciamo un’ esperienza sicuramente positiva, da un punto di vista temporale anche parecchio onerosa ma e’ stato per me… sono orgoglioso di aver organizzato il primo Fixfest italiano. Secondo me la condivisione della conoscenza e’ stato il tema centrale perché e’ come se ci fossimo presi una pausa dal mondo esterno per un attimo fare un confronto tra le realtà locali. Abbiamo preso i concetti diciamo più consolidati a livello locale ma li abbiamo poi resi quasi universali perche’ l’idea era anche consolidare una realtà italiana che si occupi di queste tematiche.

L’altra cosa importante secondo me non e’ solo come abbiamo iniziato il Fixfest ma come lo stiamo terminando. Ovvero dandoci degli obiettivi per il futuro. Sicuramente mi piacerebbe portare delle tematiche anche ad esponenti di pubblica amministrazione, o personalità che non si occupano di questo settore che e’ quello della sostenibilità ambientale e della riparazione eccetera, e cioè divulgare il più possibile queste informazioni anche a studenti ma anche a personalità di spicco che magari possono davvero cambiare e dare un contributo importante per il proseguimento di questi temi.

(4:32) Sono con Stefano e Mike di Repair Café. Parlatemi un po’ del gruppo, del vostro gruppo. Che caratteristiche c’ha.

Eh, il nostro gruppo e’ Repair Café Pavia, e’ un piccolo gruppo. In Italia c’è una rete penso di 15, magari 20 Repair Café, il nostro gruppo Repair Café e’ uno dei più piccoli Repair Café in Italia, ma abbiamo un grande rapporto con il comune di Travaco’ Siccomario che e’ fuori di Pavia, magari 20 minuti dal centro di Pavia abbiamo un centro di riutilizzo e questo è interessante per me.

Quali sono le cose che abbiamo visto oggi più interessanti in questo Fixfest e le cose che vi hanno colpito in quello che abbiamo detto.

Io sono stato molto interessato da.. la questione delle condivisioni del… diciamo le prerogative ambientali, rispetto dell’ambiente, la riduzione dei rifiuti e anche della trasparenza, perché alla fine e’ questo, quest’ambito si rivolge dal mio punto di vista verso la salvaguardia dell’ambiente ma anche la tutela del consumatore perché effettivamente il consumatore ha diritto di sapere se quanto acquista sara’ o meno riparabile, quale sarà il suo ciclo di vita previsto, e quant’altro. Questo penso che sia stato importante dal punto di vista ma anche per la definizione di queste cose e una possibile, un possibile intervento in campo politico.

Per me era molto importante imparare dall’altro e da tutto questo gruppo ho già imparato tanto, come sviluppare le reti, come organizzare gli eventi, anche a livello politico, a livello di attivismo, a livello di policy, si, questo era molto e’ molto importante. Oltre che conoscere le persone coinvolte, certo, si’, si’, si’, questo e’ molto, molto importante perché si’, noi siamo una parte di questo piccolo Repair Café Pavia ma io sono l’Admin della pagina Facebook Repair Café italia e conosco tutti i Repair Café in Italia ma non… hai capito, solo in virtuale.

Cosa vi piacerebbe fare con gli altri membri di questa rete che si e’ costituita in qualche modo oggi?

Le proposte sono state tante, partendo dalla questione delle proposte veramente a livello politico per poi arrivare anche alla tutela della sicurezza nell’ambito, in ambito operativo, parlando anche di come favorire l’associazionismo, come diciamo attuare strategie di marketing per spargere un po’ la voce degli eventi e anche la questione assicurativa che fondamentalmente è una cosa che e’ importante insomma.

Dopo questo Fixfest Italia che cosa vorresti fare insieme agli altri?

La prima cosa e’ sviluppare una rete di comunicazione più forte fra noi, la seconda magari organizziamo gli eventi in comune, per esempio International Repair Day tutti noi facciamo qualcosa.

(8:23) Sono con Vittoria del Repair Café di Trento, allora, parlami un po’ del tuo gruppo.

Allora, il Repair Café Trento nasce ad opera di quattro volontari di due associazioni differenti del territorio trentino che sono l’associazione Carpe Diem e la Cooperativa Caleidoscopio e nasce nel 2017 e l’obiettivo che ci ha portato un po’ ad interrogarci rispetto a portare il movimento dei Repair Café a Trento e’ perché siamo rimasti molto interessati appunto alla filosofia di base dei Repair Café. Abbiamo fatto una visita in Austria dove abbiamo visto come veniva sviluppato il Café Repair in Austria ad Innsbruck vicino a noi e poi abbiamo provato a accettare questa sfida di provare a proporlo sul territorio trentino che benché piccolo e già anche abbastanza saturo di eventi secondo noi aveva un vuoto per quanto riguarda proprio questa interruzione della logica duale dell’acquisto, del rifiuto e dell’acquisto di nuovo insomma e ci ha trovato queste due, l’associazione e la cooperativa unite insomma in questa finalita’. L’altra cosa che ci unisce come realtà del sociale e’ la necessità, la voglia di lavorare con la comunità, quindi la riparazione diventa una scusa per uscire di casa, per incontrarsi, per stare insieme, per fare spogliatoio, per creare una community di riparatori, e questo diciamo e’ il nostro obiettivo che ci sta’ proprio più a cuore e che sappiamo fare meglio.

Quali sono state secondo te le cose più interessanti in questo Fixfest Italia.

Sicuramente la possibilità di ascoltare esperienze simili ma diverse e quindi la possibilità proprio della condivisione del know-how, nel senso che anche solo le persone che propongono i Repair Café in un’altra città lo fanno con modalità e perseguendo lo stesso obiettivo ma appunto attraverso delle modalità operative differenti. Ascoltare queste testimonianze, conoscere queste persone diventa sicuramente un momento foriero di nuova conoscenza insomma, quindi di nuove competenze anche per chi come me si occupa principalmente dell’organizzazione.

Cosa ti piacerebbe fare con gli altri membri di questa rete?

Ah, beh, sicuramente continuare ad incontrarsi perche’ appunto per una non eccessivamente tecnologica come me il contatto visivo, umano e anche solo passare comunque una giornata insieme diventa davvero molto produttivo anche a livello di relazione nel senso che io mi porto via oltre alle parole anche le facce e le esperienze insomma delle persone che ho conosciuto oggi e quindi spero di poterle rincontrare e dopo di che appunto se si riesce a rimanere in contatto tramite la piattaforma, la community, le mail, il telefono credo che questo sia solo utile a ampliare il cappello di collaborazioni che potrebbe esserci anche in futuro.

(11.24) Sono qui con Federico di Restart Milano. Introduci il tuo gruppo. Che caratteristiche ha?

Allora, noi del gruppo Restarters Milano siamo praticamente nati o comunque gravitiamo attorno a una associazione chiamata PCOfficina che si occupa, da’ nuova vita a computer vecchi, quindi persone che hanno computer che funzionano e non sanno cosa farne oppure semplicemente vorrebbero riutilizzarli cerchiamo di dare nuova vita attraverso il software libero. Da questo poi diciamo che molti di questa associazione sono, soprattutto quelli appassionati di elettronica e quelli un po’ più smanettoni hanno fatto parte, si sono raggruppati nel movimento Restarters, ecco. Siamo composti diciamo in modo un po’ eterogeneo nel senso che ci sono persone appassionate di elettronica, altre più di meccanica, però mediamente insomma operiamo su elettrodomestici, magari c’è stata qualche riparazione, una macchina da cucire una volta quindi anche qualcosa di un po’ più meccanico.

Dimmi un po’ le cose che ti hanno colpito, più interessanti che hai sentito a questo Fixfest Italia

Ci sono state diverse cose, soprattutto e’ stato bello vedere come altri gruppi avessero gli stessi problemi, i problemi alla fine erano comuni tra gruppi. Come vengono gestiti gli eventi quindi alcune volte non si e’ organizzati, si arriva un po’ così diciamo alla cieca, arriva l’evento e poi magari ci si ritrova in due, 20 persone che vogliono riparare le cose quindi le problematiche più comuni. Poi dopo è stato bello vedere come molti gruppi magari avessero gia’ affrontato o comunque risolto problematiche che sono tuttora magari in discussione ad esempio nel gruppo Restarters Milano. Quindi insomma e’ stato bello uno scambio di conoscenze, di idee, di proposte molto interessante. Si e’ parlato un minimo anche sulla parte di finanziamento, quindi come i vari gruppi riescono a gestire il problema economico perché comunque, insomma, a muoversi, spostarsi con la macchina, o coi mezzi ha dei costi, alcune volte mancan gli strumenti, le attrezzature, i pezzi di ricambio, quindi insomma si e’ parlato di veramente di tutto ed e’ stato bello.

Cosa ti piacerebbe fare con gli altri membri della rete?

Beh, con gli altri membri della rete… innanzitutto partecipare attivamente sul sito restarters.net innanzitutto sul discorso Wiki quindi mettere a disposizione la conoscenza che la singola persona o il gruppo Restarters in questione ha maturato nel corso del tempo e poi porterei nel mio gruppo Restarters tante idee innovative o comunque diciamo tante soluzioni ai vari problemi di cui si e’ parlato, coinvolgere anche nuove persone, nuovi membri, nuovi riparatori perché una cosa comune e’ che ad esempio mancano giovani riparatori al movimento. Spesso ci si ritrova appunto ad essere in pochi e insomma, vabbe’, grossi problemi di questo tipo.

(15.05) Sto con Marcello di Bologna. Parlami un attimo del tuo gruppo.

Noi siamo un gruppo nato a Bologna un paio di anni fa quindi nel maggio del 2017. Siamo partiti facendo riparazioni di varia natura. Non abbiamo ristretto il campo delle riparazioni, abbiamo fatto molti elettrodomestici, biciclette, un pochino di elettronica, un po’ di incollaggi, cose semplici anche, molto per aumentare più possibile la platea e ad oggi cerchiamo di fare un evento di riparazione al mese. Siamo in una quindicina di persone e siamo una associazione. Cerchiamo di collaborare con il comune all’interno di progetti per il quartiere specifico che e’ Saragozza. Attraverso questi eventi cerchiamo di fare “dissemination” di cultura della riparazione, del riuso.

RUSKO starebbe per?

Riparo, Uso Scambio Comunitario.

Quali sono state le cose più interessanti che avete sentito a questo Fixfest?

In generale la cosa più interessante e’ stata la complessita’ degli argomenti. La complessita’ e la varieta’. A prescindere dai singoli argomenti trattati. Pensavo fosse una cosa molto più semplice, semplicistica invece c’è un approccio molto complesso, interessante e che ha una storia dietro molto elaborata.

Abbiamo visto che effettivamente ci sara’ una rete di Restart Italia. Cosa ti piacerebbe fare con gli altri membri dell’arena?

Sicuramente parteciperò agli eventi di cui si parlava in streaming per riparazioni elettriche ed elettroniche perché questo soprattutto e’ uno delle pratiche che ci manca maggiormente all’interno del gruppo. E dopo mi sono gia’ iscritto al sito di Restarters per cui anche lì seguirò quello che succede, cercherò di contribuire al Wiki.

(17.32) Sono qui con Thomas di Rimini. Parlami un po’ del tuo gruppo.

Il nostro gruppo e’ nato circa 2 anni fa in collaborazione con una associazione che si chiama Campolavoro. Questa associazione operava già nel recuperare materiale e prodotti vecchi da destinare al riciclo e al riutilizzo. Noi diciamo abbiamo iniziato a collaborare proprio perché riuscivamo a dare un qualcosa in più al materiale riparandolo e quindi potendolo rivendere come usato e quindi diventare da un lato risorsa dall’altro dare ancora vita a prodotti che altrimenti sarebbero destinati al rifiuto.

Quali sono state le cose per te più interessanti che hai sentito in questo Fixfest Italia?

Io personalmente mi sono sentito molto inadeguato perché ho trovato persone molto preparate, anche … quello che mi e’ piaciuto e’ che ho trovato persone che hanno dato una forma politica e ideologica a un sentire che in molte persone abbiamo e noi non siamo in grado di dargli questa forma. Io semplicemente uso le mani per riparare dei prodotti. Qui invece stiamo costruendo anche un’idea e un messaggio da passare per costruire un futuro dove le risorse devono avere una importanza molto maggiore perché ne stiamo usando troppe di risorse e le stiamo consumando male, quindi vorremmo cercare non di limitare le persone ma chiediamo di usare responsabilmente le risorse che abbiamo.

Cosa ti piacerebbe fare, con gli altri, all’interno di questa nuova rete?

Sicuramente con le altre persone ci si riesce a dare un po’ forza, non sentirsi soli.

Sarebbe bello in un futuro, non si sa quando, se remoto o vicino, vedere altri gruppi che nascono, da costruire delle reti anche più vicine, adesso che ho notato che comunque i gruppi sono un po’ lontani, Rimini, Bologna, Milano, Torino. Riuscire a creare una rete anche più locale darebbe più forza e più sostegno a iniziative che altrimenti in certi casi vengono portate avanti da poche persone che a volte, giustamente, ogni tanto possono anche sentirsi stanche o diciamo non riuscire a garantire sempre in maniera continuativa certe iniziative.

(19.55) Parlavo adesso con Sara di Aosta. Dimmi un po’ come e’ organizzato il tuo gruppo.

Allora, il mio gruppo praticamente sono io e con l’aiuto di Orsetta che però’ vivendo a Londra non e’ proprio comoda comoda. Quando lei viene in vacanza da sua mamma organizziamo i Restart. Quindi ne organizziamo praticamente tre all’anno, uno a Natale, uno a Pasqua e nelle feste comandate. E poi abbiamo alcuni riparatori che girano però sono un po’ così “ondivaghi” per cui non si riesce mai a sapere da una volta all’altra se ci saranno o no. Volenterosi ma… cosi’.

Quali sono state le cose più interessanti che hai sentito in questo Fixfest Italia?

In realtà la cosa che mi e’ piaciuta di più e’ stato vedere che ci sono altri come me, toccare con mano appunto che ci sono gli altri gruppi e che hanno più o meno gli stessi problemi che ho io e che quindi insomma e’ stato bello confrontarsi.

(21.01) Sono qui con Luca di Langhe Roero. Dimmi un po’ del gruppo che c’hai di Restarter.

Faccio parte del gruppo Restarters Langhe Roero, siamo una decina di persone, non abbiamo una base fissa, siamo nomadi cioè giriamo nelle varie manifestazioni, siamo tutti volontari, appassionati di elettronica e di riparazione.

Quali sono le cose che hai trovato più interessanti in questo Fixfest italia?

Vabbè, innanzitutto e’ quello di aver … di poter incontrare gli altri gruppi quindi altri gruppi di Restarters ma anche dei Repair Café e conoscere gente nuova e con alcune persone magari ci si conosceva solo attraverso i social per dire e quindi vedersi faccia a faccia e quindi molto interessante, cioè questa cosa del Fixfest sicuramente sarà una cosa che porteremo avanti una volta all’anno proprio per incontrarci e capire anche come gli altri si comportano rispetto a questo movimento.

Cosa ti piacerebbe fare con gli altri membri della rete?

Vabbè, innanzitutto sicuramente collaborare, condividere le varie esperienze e le varie capacità anche attraverso questa piattaforma poi attraverso i Wiki per avere poi un’unione, una unione di fatto, di pensiero e di prospettiva anche per il futuro. Cioè crescere insieme e fare gruppo e quindi più siamo e più abbiamo anche una forza e una voce rispetto anche alla politica voglio dire. E sicuramente è un momento di crescita perche’ proprio condividere e capire anche che molte problematiche ci uniscono anche e per cui se i problemi sono gli stessi, più persone si riesce a trovare una soluzione.

The post Restart Radio: Stories from Fixfest Italia appeared first on The Restart Project.

Restart Podcast Ep. 44: Community infrastructure with Broadband for the Rural North (B4RN) Jul 26, 2019

“I wanted broadband”, says Chris Conder, co-founder of the Broadband for the Rural North (B4RN). We learn from the bold initiative of a community in Lancashire who simply wanted access to the Internet and decided to start their own community-run broadband infrastructure.

Throughout our interview with Conder, we also hear from B4RN volunteers, staff and participants at their “Computer Clubs”, where people get technical help with their broadband.

Internet access in rural areas

Broadband doesn’t reach everywhere, because it is not profitable enough for big operators, and the British government does not pressure for greater reach. Conder stresses that fibre broadband does not go directly to every home, but rather depends on the phone line and, if you live far away from the cabinets, you will hardly get connection. And you will pay the standard price.

This in an issue across many rural areas in the UK. But neighbours in Melling, rural Lancashire, desperately wanted quality broadband for their community. So they teamed up with Barry Forde, former Head of Technical Services at Lancaster University. He was determined to get a fibre feed into each village in the area and start the infrastructure that became B4RN.

The role of B4RN

After trying various other projects and collaborations with the local university, they found that they needed to take ownership and run the project themselves.

B4RN has changed the scenario by running a fibre to every single home, now over 5000 properties across more than 50 parishes. Thanks to “total madness”, in Conder’s words, and to a lot of determination. They have just exceeded a crowdfunding target to expand further.

The initiative is run by staff and volunteers, but also each home gets actively involved, sometimes digging their own gardens themselves to set up the fibre!

Connecting the community

Beyond connecting to the Internet, people have connected with each other thanks to B4RN. Conder describes how neighbours have gotten to know each other through the project, helping each other setting up the system, digging gardens or solving technical questions.

B4RN is also a “community benefit society” employing over 30 staff and hundreds of volunteers in the area, increasing the opportunities for locals, and especially the younger ones, to live and work in their villages.

While broadband for this area was not seen as profitable, it has other difficult-to-quantify value, like contributing to community cohesion, education and disaster preparedness. B4RN sets a standard for resilient, community-based use of technology and the internet, and serves as an inspiration.

Links:

B4RN
Mesh networking on Simple Wikipedia
Triodos Crowdfunding: Invest in connecting rural communities to the UK’s fastest broadband

Feature image by B4RN.

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Restart Radio: The second lives of computers Jul 11, 2019

With Restarters Ben Skidmore and Dave Lukes, Ugo discusses some tech news and then dives into the world of repurposing computers – how can we give them a second life?

From charges against Samsung to the ‘ebook apocalypse’

In France, a court has charged Samsung Electronics with misleading claims regarding labour rights violations, including the exposure to chemicals or breaking up labour unions at its Asian factories. We discuss the importance of this case and how these charges will probably unfold further, and look at other manufacturers too. Regardless of the final outcome of the case, we hope to see more publicity around it across Europe.

We also talk about the Microsoft ‘ebook apocalypse’, as the company is removing all purchased ebooks from user’s libraries. We reflect on our ownership of online products, which manage our right to access rather than own these items. Sticking to Microsoft, we note that CERN, the physics research centre in Switzerland, has decided to move to open source due to Microsoft removing their status of ‘academic institution’, which resulted in higher fees.

The second lives of computers

Inspired by a thread on our online forum, we talk about repurposing old computers, including ‘obsolete’ ones. We talk about the importance of open source software, often underestimated. For instance, when devices are not well supported by mainstream operating systems, or even become fully unsupported, open source alternatives can extend the lives of our devices. We can also give new uses to them, like repurposing them as miniservers for backing up media files or even… for playing retro computer games, like Ben!

Despite seemingly technical hacks, we discuss the availability of guides and feedback online. We also talk about the option of reusing components when our computers fail (normally it is only one component that fails!). Keyboards, mouses, or even display, can all easily have a second life.

Finally, we discuss the dilemma around energy efficiency when using old devices, in context with the embodied energy involved in the manufacturing of products.

Links:

Restarters.net
Wired: Microsoft ebook apocalypse
Hankyoreh: French court indicts Samsung
CERN: Migrating to open-source technologies

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Restart Podcast Ep. 43: A life in art, activism and electronic waste with Ravi Agarwal Jun 27, 2019

*Last call to complete our radio survey. Closing soon on the 3rd of July!*

Ravi Agarwal is a multifaceted artist and activist based in New Delhi. We hear Ravi’s reflections on his life between disciplines, and we learn about the work of his NGO, Toxics Link. We talk about the toxicity of e-waste and the threats it poses to people working in recycling sites.

Ravi’s activism and Toxics Link

Ravi tells us about the start of his activism when as an avid birdwatcher, he helped lead a campaign to protect the Delhi forest. Moved by his capacity to work for change, he then got interested in waste issues and eventually founded Toxics Link.

Toxics Link was a pioneer organisation researching electronic waste in India, as well as influencing the first national e-waste legislation in India. They also focus on all other kinds of waste streams, from plastics to municipal waste or biomedical waste.

Electronic waste and human health

Ravi walks us through toxic materials in e-waste. There are almost 50 of them in various ranges of toxicity. From heavy metals like lead or mercury to flame retardants. (The latter are chemicals present in plastics which protect cases from fire, however they can cause cancer when released from the case).

So when electronics are not recycled properly, these toxic components can become very threatening to human health and the environment, and particularly to workers in recycling sites in India. Ravi tells us about the associated long-term health effects that result from the exposure to these toxic materials, which can also be passed on to their children, for instance through breastfeeding.

Merging art and activism

We hear about Ravi’s solo show ‘Ecologies of Loss’ where he examines how people relate to their environment. We talk about the reception of Ravi’s work, both in India and worldwide, and we reflect on his way of balancing his art and activism.

Ravi describes himself as an artist, photographer, environmental campaigner, writer and curator. While seemingly complex, he says that all these processes inform each other – in his own words, “we all inhabit the world in many forms at the same time”.

Links:

[Featured image by Ravi Agarwal]

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Restart Radio: Climate anxiety and deep adaptation Jun 13, 2019

*Radio survey* We would really appreciate your thoughts on Restart Radio. Please take our short survey!

We talk about the climate crisis and the concept of deep adaptation – the idea that we will need to radically change our lives in the face of global changes.

From worker rights to Norway’s right to repair

First, we discuss some news. Female workers at South Korean semiconductor plants are at much higher risks of leukemia and other cancers than their male counterparts. This research examined 201,057 current and former workers at six semiconductor companies, including Samsung Electronics. We also comment on the story of a Samsung LCD worker who has finally received “work accident” recognition 15 years after developing a brain tumour.

On more positive news, we discuss plans from France to ban unsold electronics and clothes from being destroyed, as part of a new circular economy law. While we welcome this initiative we do wonder: what will happen to these products when destruction is banned?

Lastly, we talk about latest right to repair news from Norway, where professional repairer Henrik Huseby met Apple in court for a second time, after Apple appealed losing in its lawsuit last year. Like Huseby, many repairers face barriers to get spare parts and have to use refurbished screens which Apple absurdly claims are ‘counterfeit’.

The climate zeitgeist

A climate emergency has been all over the news in the UK recently. From Sir David Attenborough taking a big stand on the climate, to Greta Thunberg’s visit to Parliament, to Extinction Rebellion’s protests. Different target dates have been set for net zero emissions, by different groups in the UK. (Since we recorded this episode, the UK became the first country to set a netzero target by law.)

We explore this current climate crisis and then talk about the concept of “Deep Adaptation” – the idea that we will need to radically change our lives in the face of global changes. What will our life, and that of future generations, look like in 10 years?

Then, we play a clip from Restart Party goers sharing their views on the latest climate science. These include a fear that we will not have the resources to maintain our way of living, and suggest that we will need to extend the lifespan of the products and materials that we buy. They also point to the sometimes confusing balance between where responsibility should lie: is it about focusing on the micro-actions or about pushing governments for high-level change?

Inspired by Mary Heglar’s essay on sustainability and personal action, we talk about the power in magnifying our individual acts, and escalating our everyday frustrations to seek change.

And while we must work urgently to avoid run-away climate change, we conclude that we also need to start envisioning what a radically changed world will look like, and what we will lose. (We ran out of time and didn’t do the topic of “Deep Adaptation” justice at all. But we’ve added some more links below that go into greater depth on the topic.)

Links:

Restart: Radio survey
Restart: Taking care of resources in fair, net-zero economy
Hankyoreh: Female workers at semiconductor plants face greater risk of leukemia and death
Hankyoreh: Samsung LCD worker receives industrial accident recognition 15 years after developing brain tumor
The Telegraph: France ban unsold clothes electronics destroyed world first
VICE: Apple is still trying to sue the owner of an independent repair shop
Louis Rossmann: Witness in Norway trial
Vox: Mary Heglar on the environmental movement and personal action
Jem Bendell’s website, focusing on “Deep Adaptation”
Restart: How to Restart the World with Lewis Dartnell

[Featured imaged by David Holt is licensed under CC-BY 2.0.]

The post Restart Radio: Climate anxiety and deep adaptation appeared first on The Restart Project.

Restart Podcast Ep. 42: A computer clinic for (and by) the community May 30, 2019

We’re doing a listeners survey and we would really appreciate your feedback!

In this episode, we travel to North West England to meet Dave and Anne Carlos, co-founders of the West Fleetwood Computer Clinic. Set up by the Emmanuel Church, this Computer Clinic wants to serve the community by lowering people’s barriers to technology, while making devices last for longer. We interview Dave Carlos, and we hear from various organisers, fixers and attendees of one of these ‘clinics’, which take place at the Rossall Tavern, the local pub.

Lowering barriers to using technology

At the West Fleetwood Computer Clinic, anyone can get help with technology. A team of ‘geeks’, as they proudly call themselves, will have a look at your device, and help you maintain it, repair it… or simply use it better!

The area of Fleetwood used to be a prosperous fishing town, but it has been deeply affected by economic change. Many people can’t spend much on technology, and hence they can find it hard to repair their products. Even getting help with software, or getting simple tips to use your devices, can be hard. In this context, the Computer Clinic has created a space for digital inclusion, where money, and knowledge, are no longer such high barriers to own technology.

Like at our Restart Parties, there is no cost for attending the clinics. Also, even though the Computer Clinic is set up by the Emmanuel Church, any one – participant or organiser – can be part of the events, whatever their faith.

Part of a wider movement

We got in touch with the West Fleetwood Computer Clinic when they signed the Manchester Declaration. As Dave Carlos told us, they signed the declaration for a clear reason:

“anybody who’s ever worked on a laptop knows that it is not meant to be repaired […]. The Manchester Declaration is not only talking about the fact that we need more repairable kit. But that manufacturers have a responsibility to make it repairable.”

Rob Ginny, Pastor from the Emmanuel Church, also reminds us that the Church as an institution generally needs to catch up with environmental matters. With this mindset, supporting a movement where people reuse instead of throwing away, seems like the right direction.

People come to the repair movement with many different backgrounds and perspectives. The West Fleetwood Computer Clinic is putting humans at the centre, thinking further than their own community. They are now recording repair data through the Fixometer, and they are part of the wider network of communities who are fixing to improve life for each other, and for the planet.

Links:

Facebook: West Fleetwood Computer Clinic
Fleetwood on Wikipedia
Manchester Declaration
The Restart Project: The Fixometer

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Restart Radio: The overlooked but fascinating world of standards May 16, 2019

Janet, James and Restarter Ben Skidmore talk about the overlooked but fascinating world of product standards, and how they affect our right to repair devices. To learn more about standards, we hear from Chloe Fayole from ECOS, the European Environmental Citizens Organisation for Standardisation.

Before diving into standards, we discuss some recent news. To start, we celebrate Fixfest Italia, the first national community repair gathering in Italy. James tells us about his time at the event, and how exciting it was to meet people in the Italian network.

We also comment on the recent near-hysteria around plans of a Huawei 5G network rollout in the UK.

Product standards: the power of industry

During the show, we play our prerecorded interview with Chloe Fayole, who walks us through the world of standards at European level. Standards define guidelines for products or processes. They are not legislation per se, however, they are increasingly used as a tool to implement new legislation and policies. Therefore, Chloe warns, it is crucial to be aware of how industry-dominated standards are, and the need for more voices to be represented.

People want more repairable products, and the product standards developed at European level can affect the repairability and lifetime of our devices. Chloe talks about the importance of creating standards both in a horizontal way (for all products), which could include ease of disassembly or the provision of spare parts for a minimum of years, but also product-specific, going into the detail and particularities of each device.

Reclaiming the citizens’ voice

Product standards and our right to repair are closely linked. However, contributing to the discussion around product standards demands a lot of time and technical skills, and these conversations are heavily industry-dominated. So how can citizens be heard?

People have a role in expressing themselves and their expectations of products, adding the consumer perspective to the conversation. As an example, Chloe talks about ‘making obsolescence a scandal’ and reporting it, but also about the importance of gathering data to know the barriers experienced by consumers when trying to repair what they own. We also stress the need to include professional repairers in the conversation, given their direct expertise with repairability and issues affecting product lifetimes.

Links:

Chloe Faloye
ECOS
Restart: Compelling evidence that people want repairable products
Restart: New Right to Repair rules, broken down by a pro
The Boring Conference: About
The Verge: The UK gets its first official 5G launch date

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**Restart Podcast Ep. 41 Exploring waste in space** Apr 25, 2019
We are currently in the midst of Earth Week, but in this episode, we are going to space. The environmental cost of technology is not just felt on the ground. And e-waste doesn’t just exist on earth, it exists in orbit too – and we’ve created loads in the past couple of decades.

Eager to know more, we reached out to the European Space Agency (ESA) and talked to Luisa Innocenti. She is Head of ESA’s Clean Space initiative, which exists to reduce the environmental impact of space activities both on the ground and in space.

The uncontrolled, polluting space debris

Waste in space is commonly called space debris, which includes all objects in space which are not controlled, ranging from a few millimetres to an entire satellite, so from a few grams to several tons.

Space debris can be very dangerous if it collides with active satellites. Over the last decades, we have created loads of e-waste in space – we discuss the question of responsibility when countries abandon the objects they launch in outer space.

Tackling waste through ecodesign

ESA suggests various solutions to tackle space debris. One of them is ecodesign, which aims to reduce the environmental impact of space tech throughout its lifetime, from design to disposal.

It is crucial also to plan for durability and obsolescence when designing this technology. As Luisa points out, in what relates to satellites: “when you are in space, you cannot replace a part if it doesn’t work”. We also talk about strategies to plan for the end of life of satellites in space, and technology to remove the debris already there.

Linking space and earth tech

We may not realise enough how much our daily use of technology on Earth is depending on technology in orbit: the best example is the navigation systems. Space technology is crucial for the accurate location in our phones, but also for weather forecasting or for watching live TV almost anywhere in the world.

As most of our devices rely on things orbiting around our planet, space debris needs to be tackled to keep our technology working. We also ask whether keeping space “clean” is important in its own right.

April was Space Month at Restart Radio. Check out our space-themed radio show on iridium, mobiles and dinosaurs!

Thanks to ESA for the extra audio from this episode, including satellite launches or the dramatic end of the Rosetta mission. Thank you also to the ‘Space Roomba’ podcast episode, from Flash Forward, which was an initial inspiration to learn more about space debris.

Links:

ESA: Clean Space

ESA: Luisa Innocenti

The Restart Project: Repairing for the Earth, Repairing Everywhere

The Restart Project: The iridium anomaly, your mobile and the dinosaurs

Flash Forward: Space Roomba

[Featured image on Clean Space’s ecodesign, from the European Space Agency. Space debris GIF also from ESA under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO licence.]

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Restart Radio: The Iridium anomaly, your mobile and the dinosaurs Apr 11, 2019

Coinciding nicely with the first image of a black hole, this April is Space Month on Restart Radio, where both our live show and podcast will be space-themed.

In this show, we talk to Jessika Luth Richter, a circular economy researcher at Lund University in Sweden, and we learn about the relationship between raw materials and space, including the ‘Iridium anomaly’.

First, we chat about tech news. From the recent Apple GiveBack trade-in programme to their leaking of plans to respond to Right to Repair pressure, to the hijacking of ASUS software updates or the risks of ‘smartphone zombies’ – are you one of them?

Discovering Iridium: from mobiles to dinosaurs

During the show, we learn about a very particular chemical element: Iridium (Ir). While Iridium is very rare on the Earth’s crust, it is found on much higher concentrations (around 100 times higher) on an internal Earth layer, the one marking the boundary in geological times of 66 million years ago.

So where could this metal have come from? The hypothesis is: from an asteroid, which could also have triggered the extinction of dinosaurs.

Next we talk more about this element and discuss some of its current uses today. Despite its rarity, Iridium is used in the manufacturing of electrical contacts, certain electrical wires and electrodes. It can also be found in smartphones with OLED displays. Given its great properties for industry and tech, alongside its scarcity and supply risks (85% is mined only in South Africa), Iridium is a critical material.

Space mining and environmental cost

Could we get raw materials from space, like Iridium from meteorites? Rare earth elements from the moon? We talk about space mining, and how, despite various efforts, this seems still far away. The further we want to reach out in space, we will have to face questions of infrastructure, how we are getting there and back to Earth.

We talk about space missions, Space X and people’s dreams to travel outside Earth. Be it for mining or for passenger travel, we reflect on the environmental cost of travelling to space. While space exploration inspired the environmental movement when we were able to see Earth from outer space, we still need to think about how we use materials on Earth. Or will we mine materials from space, for them to simply become waste?

*As part of Space month, both our live show and podcast will be space-themed. Watch out for our Space podcast at the end of the month!*

Links:

Lund University: Jessika Luth Richter
Restart Radio [our previous podcast with Jessika]: Critical materials in our electronics
Apple GiveBack
The Guardian: Students accused of cheating Apple out of nearly $1m in fake iPhone scheme
Motherboard: Hackers hijacked ASUS software updates to install backdoors on thousands of computers
Reuters: South Korea radar and thermal camera system warns ‘smartphone zombies’ of traffic
Motherboard: Internal documents show Apple is capable of implementing Right to Repair legislation
Chemistry Explained: Iridium
The Guardian: Black hole picture captured for the first time in space
Phys.org: OLED Screens
Asterank [a database of 600,00 asteroids]

[Featured image of Eros asteroid by NASA/NEAR Project (JHU/APL) in Wikipedia is in the public domain]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 40: When solar lamps break down Mar 28, 2019

Solar lamps have been envisioned as a groundbreaking innovation for regions with no electricity. But what happens when solar gadgets break down? We travel to Scotland to interview Jamie Cross, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, whose team has developed Solar What?, a modular and repairable solar lamp.

In this episode, you will also hear from participants at our Restart Parties, sharing their thoughts on solar products and on the importance of repairability when buying goods.

Promising solar without repairability

Jamie tells us the story of the first testing of a solar lamp in a small village in Northern India. This technology, which was replacing the former kerosene lamps, was initially welcomed and people used the solar lamps at home for working or studying. However, after around five years, Jamie witnessed how these products weren’t working anymore: batteries reached their end of life, switches got stuck or broken… and the lamps were very hard to fix!

When solar lamps break, some people might try to fix these lamps themselves, or try to get help locally. People employ local problem solving, or jugaad in Hindi. However, if further help is needed, things get complicated when living in rural areas. We talk about issues of having to travel long distances for someone to check your device, and probably come back at least a second time if the product requires spare parts.

Solar What? Designing for longer lifetimes

Solar What? is a small solar-powered lamp that has been designed explicitly so it could be taken apart, repaired and kept in use for as long as possible. Rowan Spear, the team’s lead designer, joined us too for part of the interview to share insights from their recent testing of Solar What? in Zambia.

Jamie’s team have also developed an off-grid Solar scorecard, which ranks solar products in terms of their repairability, recyclability or access to spare parts. We can’t help but think of our Solar ‘Hall of Shame’ comprised of unfixable products encountered at our Restart Parties.

Designing solar products for repairability can extend their lifetimes and therefore also reduce the solar waste stream. According to Jamie, current estimates suggest that the electronic waste from the off-grid solar industry is equivalent to electronic waste from the mobile phone industry.

Finally, we note that the same products, of the same quality, are manufactured for both the UK and other parts of the world, including places off-grid. Right to Repair discussions, now increasingly prominent in Europe and the US, should also be translated into these contexts where durability and repairability are paramount.

Thirst for more?

We did a teardown with Jamie and Rowan, taking apart a poor-quality solar lamp while assessing its repairability against the Off Grid Solar Scorecard.

With a donation, you can listen to our bonus track. We will match your amount and make a donation to SolarAid.

Get your bonus track

Links:

[Featured image by Patrick Bentley / Solar Aid]

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Restart Radio: Growing indoors for Brexit survival Mar 15, 2019

Tongue-in-cheek, we talk about the upcoming Brexit deadline and the potential of indoor growing to feed us in a time of crisis. We are joined by Ande Gregson, founder of Greenlab and expert in urban agriculture, and by Halima Koundi, Restart Volunteer Coordinator who leads our Rosie the Restarter skillshares.

First, we discuss tech news. Shared scooters are becoming an e-waste problem. Thanks to the open-data policy of Louisville, Kentucky, researchers learned that the average lifetime of electric scooters operated in the city by the company Bird is only 28.8 days. We’ve seen teardowns of shared bikes, and we worry about the high amount of technology embedded in them. Who is responsible for this e-waste when these products reach their end of life?

Indoor growing at Greenlab

We then get into the day’s topic. Ande founded London-based Greenlab to apply the spirit of the makerspace community to indoor growing. It is a space for early-stage businesses involved with the circular economy who want to grow products in different ways, from cotton with less water to algae for a replacement feed in agriculture.

Zero waste and circular economy are at the heart of Greenlab, an environmental perspective rarely found in makerspaces. Ande highlights their work on recycling: their tables are made out of recycled timber, and they recycle food waste, plastics and metal. Although not the electronics they need to run their systems.

Getting started: from a window to Arduino

Halima mentions her interest in growing food at her new flat, and Ande gives out some tips for beginners – our window, for instance, is a good start to grow basil or rosemary. He also recommends looking for community seed banks which commonly give seeds out for free.

We also talk about the tech that can be used to do indoor growing. Ande points us to the London Hackspace as a place where one can learn about Arduino, a microcontroller that can be used from your phone to keep track of all the conditions affecting your growing space, like temperature or humidity. We also comment on the energy consumption of indoor growing which can be quite varied depending on what you are farming, although Ande recommends relying on solar.

So will Greenlab help ‘preppers’ survive Brexit? Ande is optimistic that the process won’t affect our supply chains excessively, as long as we avoid a no-deal scenario.

Greenlab hosts free open evenings at their space in Bermondsey, London every last Thursday of the month.

We will also be hosting a ‘Rosie Restart Party‘ on 30th March in London, which will be a Restart Party just for women and non-binary people.

Links:

[Featured image from Greenlab]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 39: Repair and autonomy in a networked world Mar 01, 2019

The design of technology and technological systems has deep consequences for our use of products and services.

Alison Powell, Assistant Professor at LSE, researches our understanding and building of technology, from a social perspective, and how technological systems in turn change the way we work and live together. Powell spoke at our inaugural Fixfest in 2017 alongside Kyle Wiens of iFixit, and we’d been meaning to invite her onto our podcast since.

In this episode, we discuss links between design, innovation and our right to repair.

A question of rights, plural

As Powell suggests, we can think of the right to repair as a right to have autonomy. The right to know how our devices work and the autonomy to make decisions like modifying them or fixing them if they break. Her earlier work on open hardware informs her perspectives on autonomy and its possibilities.

We talk about repairability as a great example of information asymmetry – as manufacturers have control over repair manuals and spare parts, they restrict the capacity of people to understand and fix their products.

A right to audit, and to revert

One way of gaining more control over our products could be to track changes in the way our stuff works. This is what Powell calls “auditability”. What happens if a product or service changes so much that you no longer want it? Shouldn’t you have the right to say ‘I don’t want this anymore’?

As an example, we talk about software in Android smartphones, where there is no way, unless you are very technically confident and skilled, to go back to the old version after accepting an update. Powell suggests that a ‘right to revert’ could also be part of our set of rights to repair.

Discussing security

Part of Powell’s work is focused on the design of Internet-connected devices, through the Virt-EU project. From her conversations with developers, she highlights the tension in balancing openness and security when designing consumer technology.

Closed systems can be more efficient and more resistant to security threats, however, they can enhance the information asymmetries that limit our right(s) to repair. As an example, we talk about Apple’s controversial T2 chip, which could contain a ‘kill switch‘, disabling devices repaired by third parties.

Without discounting the challenges of security in our increasingly networked world, Powell maintains that security features cannot be an excuse to hold excessive control over the devices we use. She pushes us not only to demand autonomy to decide how we might tinker with or repair our products, but to seek out gaps in the market and opportunities that this autonomy can create.

Links:

LSE: Alison Powell
Alison’s blog
VirtEU Project
Alison Powell was a speaker at Fixfest 2017
Restart Project: Right to Repair

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Restart Radio: New Right to Repair rules, broken down by a pro Feb 15, 2019

In December and January, European member states approved groundbreaking measures which ensured that appliances (dishwashers, fridges, and washing machines) become more repairable. But as always, the devil is in the detail.

After much celebration and fanfare about the new European regulations guaranteeing some “right to repair” for consumers, we needed to chat with Steve the Spindoctor. Steve runs solo business in South London, tirelessly saving appliances from the shredder. His work is relentless. He has little time for BS and he understands every angle of running a professional repair business.

The new ecodesign regulations have professional repairers as their intended targets: they call for manufacturers to provide spare parts and repair documentation to professionals. It all sounds so good. But our interview with Steve feels like a tour of terrible caveats.

Spare parts and “bundling”

Steve confirms that sealed drums – and the “bundling” of drums and ball bearings – is the main reason washing machines are not fixable. The regulation does nothing to fix this. And a similar problem is arising with the heating systems on dish washers. Generally speaking, the cost of spare parts is the main obstacle to many repairs.

Software and circuit boards

We ask about software and circuit boards, as pros will have increased access to both. But access to software powering these appliances is no real revolution for Steve. And what about guaranteed access to spare printed circuit boards within 15 working days for pros? Without a warranty on these, and quicker access to them, this is no game-changer for the Spindoctor. As he asks, what family can wait 15 working days for their washing machine to be fixed?

Design for disassembly

On the bright side, design for disassembly is indeed a major win for Steve. He hopes it will reduce his time opening up machines, and thereby make more repairs viable. He also hopes that this public interest will lead people to maintain and care for their appliances better.

Links:

World Economic Forum: A New Circular Vision for Electronics, Time for a Global Reboot
Restart’s London Repair Directory
Steve the Spindoctor’s webpage
Our original two-part podcast with Steve the Spindoctor (1, 2)
Our analysis of the new Right to Repair measures
Analysis of the ecodesign regulations by Cool Products

[Feature image courtesy of UK Whitegoods]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 38: Inspiring repair with Jane, inventor and founder of Sugru Jan 24, 2019

We’ve always been inspired by the tenacity of Jane, who is the ‘inventor, founder and fixer in Chief’ at Sugru, the mouldable glue company. We interview her about design within the throwaway economy and about the growth of the repair movement. In this episode, you will also hear from Restart Party goers, who share their thoughts on Sugru and discuss the importance of creativity when fixing.

First, Jane tells us about the origin of Sugru. It all started when she was a design student, trying to find alternatives to creating just another ‘sexy new product’ for consumers. Playing with materials in the lab, she describes the time she came up with what would become Sugru: a mouldable glue that helped her fix and hack all kinds of objects. This material is initially like playdough or putty — it can be formed into any shape, but then overnight it turns into a tough, durable silicon rubber.

Jane takes us on a tour around the Sugru HQ in Hackney, East London, where everything from the manufacturing and packaging to the admin or the creative work of the company takes place. (Sugru, or FormFormForm Ltd, was acquired last year by German company Tesa but remains in London, with Jane as Director.)

With Sugru, Jane encourages people to have a go at fixing, and to express their creativity hacking and repurposing what they own. In her very words:

“Making those moments happen for somebody who would say ‘I am not a fixer, I could never do that’ to ‘Maybe I could do that’ and then can fix their shoes or their grandma’s wedding ring… It is all about making those moments happen.”

Next, we discuss how Jane perceives her role within a growing, global repair movement. She explains how different organisations need to cooperate, as there are various parts to play, from inspiring or teaching to campaigning for our right to repair.

The repair culture is both old and new – it was the ‘Make, Do and Mend’ slogan during the WWII, when people repaired due to limited resources, and it is also the more recent frustration with the short lifespan of our products, from our clothes to our smartphones.

With Jane, we embrace repair culture while we emphasise the simultaneous need for system change. This will take time and collective efforts by activists repairing in their communities, companies like Sugru, as well as legislators forcing manufacturers to make products easier to repair.

Lastly, we ask about the importance of “celebrities” for the repair movement. Jane stresses the need to be inspired, and the value of authenticity in people’s stories. “I don’t know what a celebrity means, but we definitely need people to inspire us.”

Links:

Jane ni Dhulchaointi: @janeonbike
Sugru: Jane’s story
Sugru: The Fixer’s Manifesto

[Featured image from Sugru]

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Restart Radio: Popular, planet-saving right to repair Jan 10, 2019

We interview Libby Peake, Senior policy adviser at Green Alliance. We talk about the public interest in more repairable products, and we discuss the current policy debates affecting our right to repair in Europe and the UK.

First, we discuss some news. Apple is worried about the decline in iPhone sales: the company has reported to investors that this is partly due to users repairing and maintaining their current models. We also mention the recent controversy over ‘Veganuary’ with the new vegan sausage roll at Greggs, which could face a backlash against environmental awareness.

Next, we comment on the current European vote on design measures for dishwashers and washing machines. As Libby highlights, previously related measures around so-called ‘ecodesign’ have normally focused on energy efficiency, looking at how much energy products consume, rather than how long they last.

This legislation is now shifting to also include product efficiency, that is, design changes that improve durability, repairability, recyclability and product composition. This shift can raise product standards, and it pushes us to look at efficiency over the whole of a product’s lifecycle.

Citizens are asking for products that last longer, and this is clear in the Green Alliance’s recent report ‘By popular demand’. Libby tells us about this research, which resulted from several workshops and an extensive poll with over 1000 people in the UK.

Almost all respondents welcomed a better use of resources in our economy. The most supported initiative was to improve product design, and this included making things more modular so that they can be easier to repair!

Then, we talk about the need to keep pushing environmental legislation to prioritise product repairability. Our stuff should be designed to be easier to disassemble and repair, and everyone – not just professionals – should have access to spare parts.

We also talk about the new UK Waste Strategy, the first one in more than 10 years. We find it ambitious and focused on the 3 Rs (not just recycling!). It defends an extended responsibility for manufacturers to watch their products lifecycle. However, we miss more details on how this high-level strategy will be implemented.

Finally, we share how we would like to see a scenario where our right to repair could benefit both companies and consumers. Policymakers need to guide manufacturers to ensure sustainable technology, as it happened for instance with the harmonisation of phone chargers driven by the European Commission.

Links:

Green Alliance: Libby Peake
Green Alliance: ‘By popular demand: What people want from a resource efficient economy’ [report]
The Restart Project: Defending the right to repair in Brussels
Motherboard: People bought fewer new iPhones because they repaired their old ones
The Guardian: Greggs struggles to keep up with demand for vegan sausage rolls
The Restart Project: Compelling evidence that citizens want repairable products

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Restart Radio: Greening the internet with Greenpeace Dec 13, 2018

We interview Andrew Hatton, Head of IT at Greenpeace UK. We talk about the environmental implications of using the Internet and Greenpeace’s campaign on the topic.

First, we discuss a vote by members states of the European Union (EU) on new measures which can have crucial implications for the repairability of our products. Along with other organisations, we coordinated a “welcoming committee” in Brussels in front of the EU Council: the first ever protest for our right to repair, at least in Europe.

Also in tech news: Amazon will start selling Apple products directly on its platform and, in return, small refurbishers not authorised by Apple will be kicked out of the online store. This level of control by such powerful companies is deeply worrying.

The episode focuses on Greenpeace and their longstanding campaigning for a greener Internet. Back in 2012, the organisation was already focused on this issue – they published a report and they protested at the Apple store in Regent Street, London. Pretending to be Apple staff, the so-called ‘Apple geniuses’, they informed customers about Apple’s excessive reliance on coal for its cloud services.

Cloud services include the vast array of online platforms we use daily to work, share files or watch movies (such as iCloud, Google Drive or Netflix). Given their massive traffic, we need to put pressure on the big companies enabling these services to adopt more sustainable practices, such as shifting to renewable energies. Companies need to be critical about where their energy comes from and about their plans for a greener cloud.

These practices are analysed by Greenpeace, resulting in their striking scorecards. These rank companies according to criteria such as their energy supply, transparency around energy use and sources, and advocacy.

Andrew emphasises the importance of companies pushing for change, highlighting Google or Salesforce as leaders, and others like Amazon as ‘laggards’.

In 2019, Greenpeace will publish an updated report examining the current ranking of companies’ data centres – the engines that power cloud services. They look particularly at Virginia (United States) as the ‘data centre capital’ of the world. It has been estimated that around 70% of Internet traffic passes through Virginia’s data centres.

Still, there are not many alternatives today to using these online services, and even organisations like Greenpeace need to make compromises. Andrew takes us through some of these tensions, for instance when buying IT equipment or choosing cloud providers, and how they try to select the most sustainable suppliers.

We also talk about the pressure from the tech industry to weaken legislation that could push for greener tech. We too share our frustration with manufacturers as they keep lobbying against our right to repair what we own.

Finally, we comment on the hardware, on the importance of upgrading the devices that power data centres. These servers components are devices with a massive embodied energy, so we should make sure that they keep running for long, and that they are easier to upgrade and repair.

Links:

Twitter: Andrew Hatton
The Restart Project: First protest for the right to repair in Brussels
Boing Boing: The EU could give every European the #RightToRepair
Motherboard: Amazon is kicking out all unauthorised Apple refurbishers off Amazon
The Independent: Greenpeace targets Apple London store
Greenpeace: Clicking Clean [link to their 2017 report]

[Featured image by BalticServers, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 37: Voices of UK fixers Nov 28, 2018

Fixfest UK gathered 59 community repair activists from all across the country, representing 25 different repair groups. This event was all about sharing the love for fixing, as well as common visions and opportunities for collaborations. With the day’s theme of ‘Hope’, many ideas emerged to work for sustainable and impactful repair action in our communities.

In this episode, we talk to some of Fixfest UK participants, who share their experiences. They talk about their group’s work, their motivations and aims. This was the first Fixfest UK, after last year’s international edition, and it happened in Manchester, the home of the first atom splitting, first co-op store, and first programmable computer.

The event started with a warm-up session led by our podcaster Dave Pickering. It is unusual to be surrounded by so many other people who run community repair groups in their communities, and that is what makes Fixfest so unique. Throughout the day, participants attended and ran multiple sessions, covering topics ranging from hands-on skillshares to policy discussions around our Right to Repair.

We also had an unexpected repair on site! There was an ‘out of order’ sign on the toilet at the venue which led to some participants performing some good ‘guerrilla repair’.

Participants also shared some of their most memorable repair stories, some featuring a porcelain bunny, a radio or a hedge trimmer. Others commented on the best moments of Fixfest: from visualising community repair events as sites for social change to promoting more inclusive fixing spaces.

Also at Fixfest, 25 community repair groups drafted the Manchester Declaration, which brings together the grassroots frustration experienced by people at our events, when they realise that their products are breaking long before they should.

Links:

The Restart Project: Inspired and energised from Fixfest UK
The Restart Project: Fixers and organisers, time to join our platform (Restarters.net)
The Manchester Declaration
Photo album (photos of the day by Mark Phillips)

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**Restart Radio: Photographing repair culture** Nov 15, 2018
Mark Phillips tells us about his work photographing the practice, people and communities involved in repair culture – from Cuba to our very own Restart Parties.

First, we discuss some tech news. Two “yay-boo” stories from Apple: recycled aluminium in computers and its pilot programme for repair of some ‘vintage’ devices. Both seem like good news at the outset, but are undermined by Apple’s attempts to restrict third party and DIY repairs, which can help so many more people and save so many more resources. Lastly, we discuss the latest updates on the case of Korean Samsung workers: the company has finally released a mediation plan to compensate workers who were exposed to carcinogenic substances. We reflect on the human stories hidden behind complex supply chains.

Mark is at home with complexity, with a background in engineering, but he has been photographing since he was a child. His interest in repair culture started in Cuba when he travelled there for an academic conference. He came across an old car with an adjustable wrench in the door, took a photo, and then he immersed himself in a long-term project capturing ‘the never-ending life of Cuban things’.

We talk about how devices have been getting more complex to repair. Mark is, however, fascinated by people across the world that manage to repair what might seem impossible today. In Cuba, people will find a way around a faulty product, they will creatively find the hacks and materials to bring things back to life. As Mark said, ‘Some might look weird, but they are still functional!’

Street-side cigarette lighter repairs in Cuba

Nobody would wish to live under the difficult conditions that drive repair culture in certain parts of the world. However, these photographs and these stories can provoke us to rethink the system we live in – to expand the limits of creativity and the possibilities of the materials and resources around us.

In fact, Mark has found these examples in Cuba and recently in Ghana, but also here in the UK when photographing the repair culture that emerges at community events such as our Restart Parties. Mark also talks about the practical difficulties of photographing at a repair event, given the busy environment and the not always best lighting. And of course, we also comment on cameras themselves, an item that tends to be hard to fix, including at our community repair events.

Finally, we share our views on the future of repair culture. Mark tells us about some sustainable design projects that have inspired him and given him hope, such as Isla Bikes (bicycles for children on a leasing model) and Fairphone (easily repairable modular smartphone). We talk about the importance of people who find solutions to problems, from the repair activity at community repair groups, to the creativity of designers that come up with more repairable and long-lasting products.

Links:

Mark A Phillips Photography

Mark A Phillips: Reparacion – the never-ending life of Cuban things

The Verge: Apple will reportedly launch a pilot program to repair devices as old as the iPhone 4S

The Verge: The new MacBook Air and Mac mini are made of 100 percent recycled aluminum

The Hankyoreh: Arbitration committee for Samsung’s leukemia outbreak proposes final mediation

[featured image by Mark Phillip at a Restart Party]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 36: Fixing the impossible with Rico Cerva Oct 24, 2018

We interview independent professional repairer Rico Cerva, to celebrate the crucial contribution that repair businesses make to extend the life of all the gadgets we use. We talk about the personal stories behind people’s devices, the barriers to repair caused by manufacturers and the future of repair as a profession.

On Saturday 20 October we celebrated Repair Day worldwide, with over 150 events that gathered people to fix together. Repair Day is about making repair more visible, and it includes the work of community groups but also that of independent repair professionals, like Rico.

We are in Rico’s family home in Basildon, where he has set up his fixing lab. A typical work day for Rico is ‘like opening Christmas presents every morning’. He gets his orders through the post from individuals and repair shops worldwide, and he fixes them all on the same day (sometimes over 10 phones). Most of the faults he repairs have to do with dead phones, no longer switching on. Some present extraordinary challenges, like his successful data recovery from an iPhone X – which had been destroyed by a baboon or a chimpanzee!

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Rico Cerva (@federicocerva)

This year’s edition of Repair Day focused on our Right to Repair what we own. In line with this movement, Rico tells us about the barriers he faces when repairing devices. One example is the lack of publicly available schematics for Apple devices: if published they would ease the diagnosis of faults. Another example is the home button in iPhone 7 and beyond, which can’t be replaced by users but rather only by Apple!

Although he is only 23, Rico already claims ‘to fix the impossible’. Rico tells us how he became interested in repair when his dad smashed his PlayStation with the car. Rico managed to get it back to life, and from then he wouldn’t stop tinkering with and fixing other people’s devices. He then moved to the UK from his home in Cyprus and worked in remanufacturing, running quality control on smartphones, and from there he eventually started working as a fixer at iSmash. In his free time, he would do fixes at home, shared through Instagram, concentrating on what repair businesses normally can’t do and ultimately decided to become fully independent with his own repair business.

Rico is also passionate about sharing his fixing skills – he regularly runs microsoldering workshops and he also trains other professionals from repair businesses at his home in Basildon.

Finally, Rico takes us through a repair in action, fixing the famous touch IC disease on an iPhone 7 (where the device switches on but gets stuck on the Apple logo screen). We open up the phone, we explore its components and we manage to fix the audio chip responsible for the fault.

Links:

Open Repair Alliance: International Repair Day grows massively in second year
Open Repair Alliance: About Repair Day
Instagram: Federico Cerva
iFixit: iPhone 7 home buttons aren’t user replaceable
Motherboard and Forbes on iPhone 7 audio IC
Rico Cerva’s Youtube channel: How To Fix The iPhone 7/7 plus Apple Loop Disease/Speaker and Microphone Greyed!

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Restart Radio: Celebrating community repair and announcing #RepairDay Oct 11, 2018

Ugo and Restart volunteer Ben announce upcoming International #RepairDay and comment on recent issues related to the Right to Repair movement in the United States and Europe.

In this show, we share our excitement for upcoming International Repair Day, which takes place on Saturday 20 October. This will be a day to celebrate repair worldwide, and there are many ways to get involved whether you are an individual, business or community repair group. Share your passion for repair (and your fixes!) using #RepairDay to join the global conversation, share and learn new skills at a community repair event, or visit your local repair shop to get your products back to life!

If you are running a repair event on the day please register here, and if you want to find your closest event happening on the day check the Repair Day map.

We also reflect on the recent Fixfest UK, which happened last weekend in Manchester. Almost 60 repair activists got together representing repair groups across the UK, from Scotland to Northern Ireland to Wales and England. This event was a brilliant opportunity to strengthen the UK repair network. Throughout the day, various workshops and discussions covered many topics relevant to community repair: from increasing inclusivity at events to promoting online communities, to practical sessions on circuit boards and soldering. You will hear more about Fixfest in an upcoming Restart podcast!

One of the sessions at Fixfest was about the Right to Repair movement – making repair more accessible and cheaper in the future. We’ve been recently campaigning to put pressure on the European Commission, which was considering indefinitely postponing a vote on a package of measures affecting the repairability of our products. Thanks to multiple initiatives, including a letter to the Commission we co-signed with other 54 organisations, the vote will go ahead in December/January. This presents an opportunity for changes such as requiring manufacturers of white goods (fridges, washing machines and dishwashers) to provide spare parts for at least 7 years! However, Italy, Germany and the UK are key countries opposed to this change, so we need to keep raising awareness and putting pressure.

Then, we go over to discuss other tech news. In line with our claim for our Right to Repair, we talk about the recent ‘kill switch’ present in the newest MacBook Pros. Apple has installed what they claim to be a security chip, which could disable the laptop software if parts are replaced by a non-authorised repairer. iFixit did a test to try this out and it is apparently not yet active. However, there is a threat that once these laptops are no longer under warranty, this switch might disable your device if you take it to an independent repairer.

We also talk about Surya Raghavendran, the inspiring 17-year-old from Michigan who has been all over the news. This avid repairer realised that some of his fixes of iPhones were useless, due to a software update by Apple disabling the third party screens he was using to repair. Other tech news we commented on included the recent pay rise of Amazon workers, the hacker who leaked information from 50 million Facebook accounts or the end of Google+ also for data breaches.

Links:

Open Repair Alliance: Get involved in Repair Day 2018
The Restart Project: Inspired and energised from Fixfest UK
Petitions for the Right to Repair and longer-lasting products: UK, Germany, Italy
Motherboard: Apple’s new proprietary software locks will kill independent repair on new MacBook pros
iFixit: Apple’s secret repair kill switch hasn’t been activated – yet
Motherboard: This 17-y.o. has become Michigan’s leading Right to Repair advocate
BBC: Amazon raises wages amidst criticism
The Verge: Facebook hacker stole login information for 50 million accounts
The Guardian: Google to shut down Google+ after failing to disclose user data breach

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Restart Podcast Ep. 35: Exploring the critical materials in our electronics Sep 26, 2018

We interview researcher Jessika Luth Richter from Lund University. The topic: the ‘critical’ materials that are found in our electronics – what makes materials ‘critical’, their global supplies, their mining, and how little we recycle them. We also discuss the demand of some of these materials for renewable energy.

First, Jessika walks us through some of the critical materials that are essential for our smartphones to function: some are needed for touch screens (like indium and tin), others for batteries (like cobalt), and many more make up the electronics, from wires to micro capacitors.

Both the European Union and the United States have published lists containing the materials they consider critical: 27 and 35 respectively. So whether a material is labelled as critical will vary depending on each region’s supply chain and demand for materials.

Then, we discuss how critical raw materials can be found in many deposits around the world. However, not all countries have developed the expertise to mine them safely and affordably, and currently most import them from China. While there are reserves in Europe, there isn’t enough drive to ensure mining complies with environmental legislation at European level while still being profitable.

While you might not have heard of critical raw materials before, ‘conflict minerals’ may sound more familiar. However, not all conflict materials are considered critical. Conflict zones imply supply risks, potentially making a material critical, however there can still be other sources, as is the case with gold.

Next, we talk about issues when recycling critical materials. With a few exceptions, like cobalt or tungsten, critical materials have very low recycling rates. These materials are found in various parts of our devices, and also in very small amounts. This makes it hard to separate these materials after they are shredded in recycling facilities. Jessika talks about some innovative technologies that could make this process more efficient. However, she points out that the unpredictable demand of these materials makes it difficult for these technologies to develop.

Despite their unpredictable demand, there are technologies which will rely extensively on critical raw materials, for instance renewable technologies like wind turbines or solar panels.

Lastly, we reflect on how each of us can work towards a more responsible use of critical raw materials. At a minimum, Jessika suggests, we should be thinking more about the products we purchase and embracing repair to make things last for longer. Keeping products in the loop, Jessika adds, we can slow the demand for these materials, while giving more time for recycling technologies to thrive.

Jessika Luth Richter is currently collaborating with Restart to the ‘Refer’ project, a European network of universities working to raise awareness about critical raw materials.

Links:

Lund University: Jessika Luth Richter
European Commission: Critical Raw Materials
U.S. Department of the Interior: 35 minerals deemed critical to the U.S.
BBC Sound Effects Library for the coal mining sounds in the podcast

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Restart Radio: Welcoming a new Repair Cafe in Glasgow Sep 13, 2018

Ugo interviews Jon Dawes and Lauren Crilly from Repair Cafe Glasgow. As we are back on Restart Radio after our summer break, we start by discussing tech news from the last few weeks. Then we talk about the community repair movement and how it is spreading across Scotland and the UK.

Consumer organisation Which? has called attention to laptop repair rip-offs happening in the UK. The study also shows that independent small scale repairers seem generally cheaper and more trustworthy compared to large chains.

We talk about the importance of trust in repair – Jon highlights how people need to feel comfortable with the service, price and general information given when you take your device to be repaired. Lauren adds that in Glasgow large stores make a lot of profit while small stores are more scarce however they seem more connected to the locals and have more regulars. We also talk about issues with data recovery, a primary goal for many customers however generally difficult for repair stores to fix – while you are here, why not back up your data?

Other news revolve around bike-sharing as a new frontier of electronic waste. As these bikes contain electronics – to help locate or unlock them – it is crucial that companies deal with waste appropriately. While there is no evidence that this is an issue in the UK right now, it already is in the United States and China. Lastly, we also talk about recent news that Apple has reached a value of a trillion dollars. Put in perspective, this is about a third of the whole value of the UK’s GDP and a fifteenth of the cost of the 2007-8 financial crisis. We reflect on the size and power of this company, and the implications for demanding changes in terms of product design and repairability.

After the news review, we delve into Repair Cafe Glasgow – its origins and future projects. Jon and Lauren started this community repair group just this April, thanks to funding from the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Fund. They are currently running repair events on each third Sunday of the month at a local community centre in Glasgow.

Despite being a very young group, they are very set on spreading around, and have already done various pop-up events in different parts of the city. They see themselves as part of the wider repair movement, and hence they aim to get to as many people as possible. While some of the volunteers have strong repair skills, others join because they are insterested in sustainability and want to be involved while they upskill. We also discuss the value of iFixit repair guides for their volunteers (and also for ours at Restart Parties)!

In terms of age, they seem to be attracting quite young participants and volunteers. While they are delighted to inspire younger generations to tinker and repair, they want to put more emphasis on intergenerational skillshares. They also recognise the gender divide at their events, where women stick to textile and men to electronics repairs. To change this, they are planning to run workshops for women and non-binary people in the following months.

Finally, we talk about Repair Cafe Glasgow’s interest in campaigning, and we discuss upcoming International Repair Day on 20 October, when they will be hosting one of their Repair Cafes. They’re also already actively contributing repair data to our Fixometer database, which aims to raise the public’s voice and role in policy conversations around our right to repair what we own.

Links:

Which?: Laptop repairs – Why the UK’s biggest brands are failing to deliver
Repair Cafe Glasgow: About
Facebook: Repair Cafe Glasgow
iFixit: Restart guides
Resource: Bike-share companies accused of creating e-waste mountains
Information is beaution: Trillions
The Guardian: Apple becomes world’s first trillion-dollar company
Restart: The Fixometer
Open Repair Alliance: Save the date – International Repair Day

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Restart Radio Takeover: ‘Smart’ homes – the hype and worries about IoT Aug 01, 2018

Our volunteers Dave, Panda and Andrew run the show, discussing the hype about the Internet of Things (IoT) and ‘smart’ homes. We talk about related issues of security when using these connected devices.

First, Dave takes us through some tech news. We start citing some recent research into batteries that could be charged faster, and also Trump’s support for the merger of US TV stations Sinclair and Tribune Media. We then talk about how in South Korea Samsung has finally agreed to accept arbitration over the leukemia cases affecting workers at its plans, first reported 10 years ago. This is a longstanding problem with other electronics companies as well, associated with the toxic chemicals used in manufacturing gadgets.

We then turn to the recent Huawei’s PR-stunt: people were promised a free Huawei smartphone in return for just literally smashing their ‘old’ (non-Huawei) ones at their Soho store in London. Not only is this mindless consumption but an awful contribution to the growing problem of ewaste (see our post below). Our volunteers also warn that hammering these phones could also be quite unsafe due to the risk of explosions when mishandling their lithium batteries.

Next, we talk about the Internet of Things (or, as Panda referred to, ‘the Internet of Sh*t‘) and smart homes.

Andrew shares how back in the 2000s, before these products were commercialised, he set up a smart home himself. Having to spend much time abroad for work, he wanted a system to keep track of his home remotely, or to switch on the heating on his way back. We also talk about how doing things yourself makes you very invested in the technology – Andrew managed to reduce his electricity bill by 55%! Also, not relying on a company gives him more control over his data, and he doesn’t have to worry about companies’ system failures, which can temporarily leave costumers without control or even access to their homes.

We then reflect on questions of durability and security of IoT devices: how long will connected gadgets last? How long will they be supported with security updates? While these technologies have potential benefits such as using our electricity more efficiently, we need to be aware of associated risks related to security. For example, the mere usage of these devices can leak much information, to the extent that researchers have found a link between smart meters tracking and what TV shows you watch!

More worryingly, there is the threat of other people taking control of your devices. For example the InControl app available to Jaguar Land Rover car users, which could be used by former owners if not unbound, potentially tracking or unlocking the car’s doors. We also discuss the issue of ‘IoT gaslighting’: some people are reporting having their house controlled by ex-partners: lighting, heating or even door locks. Also, disconnecting the devices can lead to further violence by the abuser. We end up discussing what is a ‘smart’ device. Our gadgets are becoming more technologically advanced, yet connected devices are part of a network which can be hacked. Not to mention other not-so-advanced devices, such as smart locks, which can be hacked using Bluetooth, or just… a screwdriver!

Links:

Restart Radio: Huawei’s smashing spectacle of planetary significance
Hankyoreh: Samsung’s acceptance of offer by arbitration committee likely influenced by vice chairman’s upcoming trial
The Guardian: Cheap material could radically improve battery charging speed
Bloomberg: Trump’s meddling in Sinclair deal puts FCC in tight spot
The Register: Shock Land Rover Discovery: sellers could meddle with connected cars if not unbound
Twitter: Internet of Shit
Cnet: Researchers find smart meters could reveal favorite TV shows
Ruhr-Universität Bochum: Multimedia Content Identification Through Smart Meter Power Usage Profiles
The Register: Unbreakable smart lock devastated to discover screwdrivers exist
Restart Radio: Connected device of horrors
Youtube: Terence Eden – The (connected) house of horrors
The New York Times: Thermostats, Locks and Lights – Digital Tools of Domestic Abuse

[Featured image by Manoel Lemos is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 34: Improvisation and collective spirit in Brazilian repair culture Jul 25, 2018

We interview Brazilian technologist and researcher Felipe Fonseca, who has long been on our radar screen. Dave and Janet discuss with Felipe the role of improvisation in problem-solving and repair, and we learn from Brazilian approaches to repurposing discarded technology.

First, Felipe tells us about the origin of his project “MetaReciclagem”, which started collecting discarded PCs and reviving them with free open software. These were then either used by various social projects, or repurposed or turned into artworks.

At the time of MetaReciclagem (2002) the Brazilian government was showing a budding interest in Linux for public projects, and in increasing public access to technology. This occurred against the backdrop of the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre. Metareciclagem sprung from the hope that free and open-source technology would help address social inequalities.

Noting that, currently Brazil is living a very different and darker political moment. In this edit, we did not have time to include Felipe’s concerns about the ongoing crisis in his country, with an unelected government and serious questions hanging over upcoming Presidential elections. He told us that the current scenario seems “unpredictable”, as Lula da Silva – ex-President and strongest candidate – is currently in jail. (In second place in the polls there is extreme-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro.)

We focus on Brazilian cultural practices of mutirão and gambiarra. The mutirão is an informal and collaborative gathering to solve a problem or achieve a common goal, while the gambiarra has to do with fixing specific things through improvisation, even when one lacks the appropriate tools or resources. While these practices may be specific to Brazil, we recognise their spirit in every culture and definitely in every Restart Party.

Felipe shares his concerns that these skills may be disappearing as the economy grows, with Brazilians buying into the throw-away culture. He fears people will lose this appetite for improvisation that can help them diagnose and fix their stuff – as he puts it: “you shouldn’t need to study for 8 years to replace a light switch”.

Then, we reflect on the meaning and purposes of the “maker” culture. Felipe talks about his shift from an initial enthusiasm about the concept to a gradual realisation of its obsession with careless innovation. He confesses that labelling his work as “making” can draw people in, however his actual aim is to promote collaborative projects driving sustainability and social inclusion.

We also discuss the importance of local action as a powerful driver for national change. In the context of Ubatuba, Fonseca’s region, he is focusing on sharing spaces for social and innovation projects and making the region a spot for open source technology.

Interwoven with Fonseca’s interview, we also hear from Restart Party goer Joseph Brant, who managed to fix his smart TV himself. With basic soldering skills gained at Restart Parties, access to information on the internet – some of it in Chinese, and a big amount of patience, Joseph tinkered with the circuit board and managed to repair the device, replacing a fuse and a capacitor. More than anything, from his achievement we learn about the power of improvisation in fixing the things that we own.

Links:

Metareciclagem
Gambologia
Makery: Repair Culture by Felipe Fonseca
AFP “Nostalgic for Brazil’s dictatorship, Bolsonaro looks to presidency“

[Feature image by Leonardo Feltrin Foletto, from the site Baixacultura.org]

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Restart Radio: Cameras, the eternal and disposable – analog, digital, mobile and GoPros Jul 18, 2018

Ugo interviews Philip Le Riche, Restart volunteer and retired cybersecurity professional – about his passion for camera repair. We talk about the technological development of these very summertime devices, and the consequent changes in their repairability and product lifetime.

First, we discuss some news. While many this week may be excited about discounts on Amazon Prime Day, we highlight the news in the background: Amazon workers in various European countries are striking for fairer wages and working conditions. Also, with the increasing success of online retail, high street shops are going through hard times. Or even, like Maplin, closing down. It has been estimated that up to 10,000 stores will be closing down in the UK in 2018, and one of the reasons why is the higher incidence of business rates on these stores compared to online retailers. We discuss how repair shops are also affected by this trend, while, at the same time, online marketplaces such as eBay have been a game changer for repairing gadgets, making it easier to get spare parts.

Next, we talk about Philip’s interest in cameras. It all started back in 2011, when his cousin’s camera stopped working and Philip took the initiative to take it apart and fix it. This led to him buying and sticking to this same camera model, and to eventually building a great expertise and confidence in repairing it. He then talks about his passion for writing, and for using this medium to share his knowledge and skills with others. Philip has so far been a driving force behind the Restart wiki, including the camera page, and has also created and contributed to guides on iFixit, the most popular online platform for repair manuals.

Alongside his volunteering work at Restart Parties, our community repair events, Philip helps at a local school in their Computer Club, where he motivates kids to tinker and repair. He tells us about a camera success story, when two female students managed to repair a broken battery door. We then go through some tips for camera repair, starting with safety. Cameras have a flash capacitor, which may hold a dangerous residual charge long after the camera is switched off, sufficient to give you a nasty shock. While they are normally protected by a plastic shield, it is not always the case. We then talk about some ‘quick wins’, such as what to do with stuck lenses, which normally just need some cleaning – Philip gives some tips to succeed.

Now cameras have gone through a rapid technological development. Philip tells us how the shift from film to digital cameras makes them harder to diagnose and hence repair. We also discuss the changing expectations of the longevity of these gadgets – Philip talks about his dad’s cameras, which lasted up to 30 years!, while now updated camera features attract some people to upgrade their smartphones frequently. In terms of repairability, complex smartphones marketed for photography such as the recent Huawei P20 Pro often have very low repairability ratings. We also mention Nikon’s restrictions on providing spare parts to independent repair businesses, reducing chances that broken cameras would be repaired.

Finally, we talk about some alternative camera options. Ugo talks about Polaroid Originals (formerly ‘The Impossible Project’), which manufactures film for the classic Polaroids, bringing back public interest for these vintage cameras – we even used them for some Restart team pictures! We learn however that each “roll” of instant film contains a single-use lithium battery, which is hard to extract for recycling. While it is great that Polaroid does share how to disassemble the film, overall these pictures are not just costly economically (2£/ picture) but also environmentally. We end the show discussing waves of interest in other devices such as GoPro, which seems to be on its way out, and how the smartphone has encompassed the function of cameras and other gadgets, like music players.

Links:

Wired: Strikes, boycotts, Amazon Prime Day
Which?: What does the future hold for the British high street?
BBC: Maplin chain now completely closed
Restart wiki: compact cameras
iFixit: Disassembling Canon PowerShot SX200 IS (Philip’s entry)
Gizmochina: Huawei P20 Pro not easy to repair
iFixit: How Nikon is killing camera repair
Polaroid originals: How to recycle your empty film pack

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Restart Radio: Books on our summer reading list Jul 11, 2018

As part of a summer tradition, Restart staff Janet, Isabel, Neil and Ellie have compiled a summer reading list. We talk about reads which have inspired us and how they relate to our work at Restart. This year we have a real mix of political and economic analysis, and some unique “explainer” books.

First, we talk about the provocative Factfulness, by Hans Rosling. This book shows how many of us have an idea of global development which is more pessimistic than what the data actually tells – ‘many of us’ including people across media and elite institutions like the UN or Davos. Janet reads out a fragment on the arrival of the washing machine to Rosling’s home in Sweden and we reflect about what level of consumption we should have, knowing that many people worldwide still wash their clothes by hand.

“Bending computers” (laptops), “sky boats” (helicopters) and a “big tiny thing hitter” (CERN’s Large Hadron Collider) are all part of the world of Randall Munroe in Thing Explainer. In this entertaining book, complex terms and processes are explained using only the 1000 most used words in English. Neil talks about the importance of communicating knowledge in simple terms, for example when sharing repair skills.

Next is The Value of Everything, by Mariana Mazzucato. Where is value produced, and how is it measured in today’s economy? The book starts with a historical review of how different economic theories have shaped society and our understanding of value – and we discuss how those of us who took Economics classes at university were only given one very partial and ideological view. We highlight the importance of redefining value to include activities of care – for people and for things – and how we shouldn’t underestimate the value of activities without a price tag.

Finally, can anyone build a bike? Yes, indeed! Jenni Gwiazdowski’s How to build a bike is a great manual, technical while charismatic and fun. Recommended by Ellie, this book is brilliant because it portrays how the maker and repair culture is open to everyone. It is unusual to find manuals written by women, and which promote the message that anyone – whatever their gender or race – can learn to hack and tinker with technology.

And last on our reading list: Josh Lepawsky’s ‘Reassembling Rubbish’ and Derek Wall’s ‘Elinor Ostrom’s Rules for Radicals’, both authors who have been previous guests on Restart Radio.

Happy reading!

Links:

Gapminder: Factfulness
TED: The magic washing machine
xkcd (Munroe’s webcomic): Thing Explainer
xkcd: How well something works after I decide to fix it
xkcd: Standards for success
xkcd: Simple writer
Mariana Mazzucato: The Value of Everything
London Bike Kitchen: About us
Quartoknows: How to build a bike
Restart Radio: on Lepawsky’s book
Restart Radio: on Derek Wall’s book

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Restart Radio: Strong links between thrift and innovation, past and present Jul 04, 2018

Isabel and Ugo interview Simon Werrett, Lecturer in Science and Technology Studies at University College London. We talk about his upcoming book “Thrifty Science”, which discusses historical practices of repair and reuse.

First, what is thrifty science? Simon proposes this concept as “an attitude to materials”, a way of making use of things and making them last through practices like repair or reuse. His research focuses on practices of the 17th and 18th centuries, however, he claims that all of us can be thrifty today through experimenting with and repairing the things we own. Aren’t Restart Parties a great space for thrift?

Next, we discuss how innovation and thrift may sometimes seem opposed but are actually tightly connected. Thrift implies coming up with new ways of doing things, and hence can be an important source for innovation. While history has mostly focused on “light-bulb” moments of discovery, historians are increasingly researching more everyday or seemingly “mundane” practices like reuse or repair.

What are the obstacles to being thrifty? We talk about repairable design, mentioning the case of butterfly switch keyboards on Apple laptops as a current example. Simon comments on the importance of repairability and design through the story of the seventeenth-century scientist Robert Hooke, who would build his instruments in such a way that they would be easy to repair and tear apart.

Then, we talk about how the concept of “waste” has changed over time. Simon comments on the etymology of certain words like “rubbish” (from demolition and rubble) or “trash” (used in shipyards), and he reinforces that these words originally described discard materials as things waiting to be used or repurposed, instead of permanently dumped or destroyed. He then comments on how products became increasingly specialised in the Victorian period and with this, potentially harder to repair.

Finally, drawing parallels between early modern and current repair practices, we come to the importance of the community. Thrift flourishes within networks of knowledge, materials and skills. In the early modern period, people would put these networks in place to repair their things, and only go to artisans for the most complex repairs, such as china riveting – before the invention of special adhesives, they would mend broken china with staples! Today, people can benefit from community spaces to repair together, like Restart Parties. Through these networks and communities, we also keep the human element of repair alive, the set of practices and knowledge – including the most implicit or “tacit” knowledge – necessary to make use of our material stuff.

Links:

UCL Science and Technology Studies: Simon Werrett
Youtube: Simon Werrett on Thrifty Science
UCL Discover: Recycling in early modern science by Werrett
Ars Technica: Apple launches service program to address Macbook keyboard woes
iFixit: The History of repair: Past Imperfect

Simon’s book “Thrifty Science: Making the Most of Materials in the History of Experiment” will be published by the University of Chicago Press in January 2019.

[Featured image by Andrew Baseman – Past Imperfect]

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Restart Podcast Ep 33: The lives of products during our lifetime, with Tim Cooper Jun 26, 2018

In this week’s episode, we interview Tim Cooper, professor of Sustainable Design and Consumption at Nottingham Trent University. We discuss the public’s frustration about our throwaway culture, and the role of businesses and regulation in making our products last longer.

First, we discuss Cooper’s path into academia. Since the late 1970s up to 1994, he was very active in the Green Party, and stood for parliament in three occasions. Searching for alternative ways to make an impact, Cooper pursued research with a strong policy orientation, starting at then-new thinktank the New Economics Foundation.

In the early 1990s, much of the academic work on sustainability was focused on promoting recycling rather than incineration. Less work dealt with the ‘waste hierarchy’ – optimising our use of things and minimising waste, instead of just disposing or recycling. Cooper’s 1994 report ‘Beyond Recycling’ (link below) gained national publicity in this context. After that, Cooper moved to university research, where he joined other academics in the study of product lifetimes, and of how we can make products last longer.

Cooper talks about what influences our decision-making when buying, and his research on consumer magazines, which have focused more on product features like shape, colour or size than durability. Also, once shamed, some manufacturers come up with unconvincing excuses for short product lifetimes. In light of this, consumer organisations should put pressure on government to increase public awareness of how long products will – and should – last. He also suggests measures like lifespan labelling or repairability indexes, as ways to inform consumers on repairabilty and durability.

Now, are people familiar with the concept of throwaway culture? Of course!

We play some clips from Restart Parties, where many attendees feel frustrated about their faulty devices, and about the wastefulness of today’s consumption. People are generally interested in how long things last, and in getting value for money. Now Cooper argues that with devices getting cheaper and cheaper, many people lose interest in recycling or repairing – they stop ‘treating things with respect’. However, Cooper is wary of the notion that individuals should simply change their behaviours to solve the problem. He says businesses and governments have a significant role in making products last longer, and there is a need to shift what we seek to achieve as societies, beyond GDP, and look at other measures including well-being and the planet.

Links:

Nottingham Trent University (NTU): Tim Cooper
The New Economics Foundation: About us
NTU’s Institutional Repository: Beyond Recycling

[Featured image”Sea of phones” by saschapohflepp is licensed under CC BY 2.0.]

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**Restart Radio: Right to Repair in the United States** Jun 20, 2018
In this week’s episode, Ugo and Janet interview Nathan Proctor, Director of US PIRG’s Right to Repair campaign. We talk about the origin and activity of this movement, and generally about our right to fix our devices.

First, we discuss the story of Eric Lundgren, who attempted to distribute copies of Microsoft software allowing repairers and refurbishers to restore Windows installation in computers already licensed to use it. Even though this software is available online for free, and Lundgren’s only crime was counterfeiting the packaging, he’s been sentenced to 15 months of jail and he reported to a US federal prison last Friday. Nathan was recently in the news defending this case, which is helping spread the word about the right to repair movement. Nathan comments on the tension between copyright laws and repairing initiatives, and on how the charges against Lundgren have been excessive.

Next, we talk about the origin and activity of the US Right to Repair campaign. They work to provide consumers and third party businesses with repair information, and to make pressure at state level on US law to ensure that we have the option to repair our devices. Nathan refers to the 2012 Massachusetts general elections when a citizen-initiated car’s right to repair measure led to the Automotive Right to Repair Law – forcing manufacturers to provide spare parts to mechanics. Janet highlights that, despite more silently, this regulation has also been achieved in the EU.

Why are people starting to stand up for our right to repair? Nathan notes that there is an increasing awareness that we all have “a broken relationship with stuff”. He is convinced that this relationship is changing thanks to do-it-yourself (DIY) initiatives that motivate people to own and fix their devices.

A few weeks ago, we interviewed Susanne Baker, from techUK, who argued that safety is a major issue that can constrain our right to repair. Nathan calls for more trust in the public, who should also be given access to official repair information from manufacturers to ensure safety. As he states, we need more and more people to join the repair movement if we want to change our throwaway culture and tackle the growing issue of electronic waste. Manufacturers promote this growing stream of waste by making their repair services too costly or unavailable, which leads most people to replace rather than repair their devices. As an example, he mentions the recent fine to Apple in Australia due to denying repair services to consumers who had previously taken their devices to third party repairers.

Finally, Ugo mentions how the US Right to Repair movement focuses on third party repairers, while in the EU we have a lot more community repair initiatives, such ours at Restart. Nathan argues for more collaboration and coordination between these two actors. Janet refers to the Restart Centre in New York, where students and educators can also be seen as repair activists. Educators, tinkerers and third party repairers can all benefit from lower barriers to repair. And as Nathan argues, public involvement at the local level should help push right to repair regulations further.

Links:

iFixit: 11,000 signatures wasn’t enough to keep Eric Lundgren out of prison

US PIRG: Right to repair

Restart Radio: Right to Repair and product standards (interview with Susanne Baker)

TechRadar: Apple fined $9 million for misleading Australian customers

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Restart Radio: Community repair events as sites of social research Jun 13, 2018

In this week’s episode, Isabel and Ugo interview Lara Houston, a visiting researcher at Goldsmiths University. We talk about academic research on repair, and we also play some recordings from Kaja Ahnfelt, founder of Restarters Oslo, who conducted research at Restart Parties before she became a repair activist.

First, we discuss some news. The Austrian city of Graz is funding commercial and community repair activities, including projects such as repair cafes. We celebrate initiatives that promote people to repair instead of replace their devices. Ugo hopes that Graz shares data on how this funding may impact their local repair economy. We then reflect on where our devices come from, and at what price, in the light of the recent report by China’s Labour Watch on Amazon manufacturer Foxconn. Their factory in Hengyang, China has been violating workers’ rights, particularly those of dispatch workers.

We focus on community repair, and its place within academia. Lara tells us how her interest was sparked by mobile phone repair practices in Uganda. She conducted some fieldwork in the capital city of Kampala in 2009, when the use of mobile phones was on the rise. We also play a recording from Kaja’s Master thesis on community repair, where she shares the initial disbelief she faced when she started her research on repair, which many consider an outdated practice.

Lara discusses how current narratives of technological hype (like AI or IoT) surface bigger questions related to technology – where are things made or how are they designed. Repair academics find a space to approach these bigger questions, away from innovation studies.

Now, how is repair actually researched? From the many available approaches, we highlight ethnography. Lara describes the power of this social research method, which can be used to explore how repair communities work: why people join them, how they interact, what they learn. It is mainly based on participant observation – the researcher interacts with people and shares how they do things, as Kaja did when she immersed herself in Restart Parties and worked in the office with Restart. We hear another of Kaja’s recordings where she describes what goes on at our events. For example, as she narrates, people gathered around Restarters to watch repairs, as though they were seated around a campfire.

Finally, Ugo asks about the future of research on repair. Lara discusses the importance of combining different research tools, along with ethnography, to construct a comprehensive understanding of repair practices. Different methods gather different types of evidence which can speak to more varied people and organisations, promoting policy action. Lara just launched a repair research bibliography tool, as part of the Repair Research Network she co-founded at last year’s Fixfest.

Links:

Rreuse: Households in Graz offered 100 euros per year to repair
China Labor Watch: Amazon profits from secretly oppressing its supplier’s workers at Hengyang Foxconn
ANSA: Amazon ordered to hire 1,300 by Italian Labour Inspectors
Independent: Apple watch – $17,000 smartwatch is obsolete after latest update
Lara Houston: About
Restart Radio: The challenges of winter (previous show with Kaja Ahnfelt)
Kaja’s Master thesis: Community repair within a circular economy
Repair Research Network: Repair bibliography

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Restart Radio: Right to repair and product standards beyond Brexit Jun 06, 2018

In this week’s episode, Ugo interviews Susanne Baker, Head of Environment & Compliance at techUK, the organisation representing the views of tech companies, including manufacturers. We discuss their position on the public’s growing interest in the right to repair and the future of product standards beyond Brexit.

First, Ugo asks about techUK’s views on product lifetimes. Susanne discusses how tech manufacturers are increasingly interested in the concept of material efficiency. As she explains, this can include many factors about products, such as how easy they are to repair, upgrade, reuse or recycle. We see this as a positive development, although we will need a lot of developments to reduce the amount of e-waste currently being shredded.

Susanne discusses how the right to repair should be encouraged in the UK, although manufacturers are concerned with product safety, specifically in regards to repairs involving counterfeit parts. On this topic, she mentions the Electrical Safety First’s report on the risk of electrical shocks with fake iPhone chargers. Some techUK members are also increasing the number of repair options they offer, for instance Samsung’s new doorstep repair. This is an area where we have diverging views: the presence of counterfeit parts should be an incentive for manufacturers to make parts and accessories readily available to the public, rather than an argument to limit the right to repair.

According to Susanne, it is too costly for manufacturers to maintain extensive provision of parts for a long time, and at times they are limited in doing so by changing regulations on the safety of chemicals used in these parts. She then shares some of techUK’s recommendations for repair, such as using 3d printers to reduce costs of producing small spare parts, or the potential of home automation to detect faults in our devices. She also highlights the major role that EU ecodesign policy might have on the cost and time of provision of spare parts, potentially by requiring manufacturers to provide parts as part of extended warranties. Ugo comments that manufacturers have data that could help them plan for sufficient availability of parts – and that just-in-time manufacturing can reduce cost of provision of parts.

Ugo and Susanne then discuss how Brexit may impact UK product standards. The current round of EU ecodesign legislation should be approved by this winter (that is, before Brexit, and therefore should be implemented in UK policy). Susanne says that it is in the interest of UK manufacturers to have the same product standards across Europe, and that the UK government is already addressing issues of product durability in various other industrial and environmental strategies.

Finally, we touch upon the importance of providing software updates and security patches for products in order to extend product lifetimes, an issue unfortunately not yet prioritised by techUK.

Links:

techUK: Susanne Baker
techUK: Environment compliance
Whatis – Tech target: Just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing
US PIRG: Right to Repair
Electrical Safety First: 98% of fake iPhone chargers puts consumers at risk
Samsung Newsroom UK: Launch of new Samsung doorstep repair service

[Featured image “Death of an HP Photosmart 945” by fdecomite is licensed under CC-BY 2.0.]

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Restart Radio Takeover: “Repair on the edge” May 30, 2018

In this month’s radio takeover, Restart volunteers Ben Skidmore and Dave Lukes talk about “repair on the edge”: how to deal with unusual fixes when one lacks the necessary skills or tools.

First, Ben and Dave introduce us to some tech news. We discuss the enforcement of GDPR with its ubiquitous pop-ups. Is it necessary for all companies to ask for your consent again? Are we giving consent when coerced or persuaded? We also talk about a new malware scare and security issues with our devices.

Next, Ugo calls in to update us on two issues:

– A few weeks ago we interviewed Tarek Loubani, who works to provide 3d-printed medical devices to areas like Gaza, where there is a lack of resources due to its blockade. Ugo tells us that Tarek got shot while providing emergency care in uniform at recent protests in Gaza. He will recover, but many of his medical colleagues were not so fortunate.

– Also, Ugo tells us about his recent visit to Brussels. He says that the EU is starting to prioritise repair-related measures, like ensuring provision of spare parts and repair information. Member states are likely to vote for a package of measures for some appliances before Brexit, and hence the UK will have to take action on these matters. Ugo tells us about the influence of the pioneering US Right to Repair movement on these EU initiatives.

Ben and Dave then focus on “repair on the edge”, discussing the excitement and fears when faced with unusual repairs. They tell us about their most dangerous repairs, including smartphones. They also discuss risks when fixing electronic devices, like lithium batteries, capacitors, or the glass on our phone screens.

We also discuss the importance of improvisation when repairing, and of making the most out of commonplace objects that can be reused for marvellous hacks. Ben tells us about guitar player (and hacker!) Eddie Van Halen and about Tom Fox, who creates unique instruments out of recycled electronics. Then Ben himself, who used to be a professional guitar maker and repairer, shares his experience repairing a friend’s cello.

Links:

The Independent: Turn your router off, says FBI
Medium: 3d printed tourniquet – Day 2 of Gaza field trials ends badly (by Tarek Loubani)
Twitter: Tarek Loubani (@trklou)
Restart Radio: 3D printing medical devices in Gaza
US Public Interest Research Group: Right to Repair
Vulpestruments (recycled music instruments by Tom Fox)

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Alvin with HAM radio — **Restart Podcast Ep 32: Amateur (ham) radio with Alvin Hardy** May 22, 2018
Ellie and Dave interview Restart volunteer Alvin Hardy (call-sign G1BTF), who shares his life-long passion for amateur or so-called “ham” radio. We discuss the importance of radio as a pioneering mode of communication, and the value of the worldwide community that it helps bring together.

First, Alvin tells us about his career as an engineer, and how he’s been tinkering with radio since he was 15. He also comments on his dad as an inspiration to his interest in radio, as he was a radio operator during war.

Next, Alvin tours as around his house in Rainham, London, taking us through his radio equipment: HF, VHF and of course ham radio. He tell us about the origin of ham or amateur radio in the early 1900s in Columbia University, where its founders opened up this invention so that others could help develop it.

Now retired, Alvin regularly volunteers at Restart Parties. He tell us about his motivations to do so, saying that in the current throwaway culture, younger generations don’t see a need to repair their gadgets. He wants to teach his tinkering and repair skills to inspire them to fix their electronics. Also, he says, it is fun too! Alvin enjoys being part of the Restarters community and interacting with all the people that come to the events. He is thrilled by fixing though, he loves “bringing back to life” their devices, so that they can last for longer.

Alvin shows us how ham radio works, particularly the slow-scan television (SSTV), which serves to transmit and exchange static pictures with other radio operators around the globe. Alvin tells us about the codes and tricks needed to communicate through SSTV, and how to identify what countries signals come from and who sends them. “You are still sending sound, and it just converts it into picture”, he explains. We hear amazing radio sounds, which we rarely hear anymore as we have embraced digital radio.

Despite his engineering background, Alvin is sure that anyone can learn amateur radio, and motivates everyone to become part of this community, of this “way of life”.

Links:

RSGB: Getting started with amateur radio

Columbia University: History of the CU Amateur Radio Club

HamQTH: G1BTF

Restart: World Radio Day

Motherboard: Amateur radio hobbyist are connecting the Caribbean after hurricane

[Featured image “Ham Radio Station” by Richard Topalovich is licensed under CC-BY 2.0.]

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Restart Radio: Materials we use to hack and fix May 16, 2018

In this week’s episode, Isabel Lopez and Dave Lukes talk about the materials we use to hack and fix. We will discuss the most basic tools and materials we can use for these tasks, from the usual tapes and glues to more sophisticated techniques and materials.

First we discuss some news. Jessa Jones, a popular repairer based in the US, has had 24 aftermarket iPhone screens seized at US Customs. US Customs and Apple have justified this seizure by labelling it as ‘counterfeit’. They have called attention to the Apple logo in these screens – a very tiny logo inside them which is not visible to consumers. Now, is refurbishing the same as counterfeiting?

The overarching question here is: why are these repairers getting spare parts from third parties or the ‘grey market’? We talk about the Right to Repair movement, in which Jessa Jones is particularly active. As she insists, she would rather buy spare parts directly from Apple, but this is not a possibility. Car manufacturers are obliged to make spare parts available – and at reasonable cost – to car repairers, why is this not the case with our electronic devices?

Next, we talk about stuff we use to repair. We start with screwdrivers, which are one of the most basic tools to carry around. We mention issues with opening up our devices, such as Apple’s pentalobe screws, or the change in design of our laptops and phones that makes it way harder to take out and replace their batteries.

Then, we talk about ‘sticky’ materials. Dave tells us about the use of tapes, (super)glues, or more fancy materials such as Sugru, a very mouldable silicone-based material which can be used for multiple hacks and fixes; or the bioplastic Formcard, which can be easily carried out in our wallet and, once heated up, can be moulded into any shape and then reheated for reuse.

We then shift to more complex techniques, such as soldering. Soldering is used to join two pieces of metal together by melting a tin wire (or ‘solder’). Soldering irons heat up the solder up to 200 degrees so it becomes liquid. We talk about alternatives to this technique, such as cold soldering or crimped copper tubing. Dave also discusses some incidents – great narratives that even made our Resonance 104.4 FM engineer laugh – and important health and safety procedures.

Finally, we give some advice to those of you who want to get started fixing things. Beyond the joy of getting things working again, at Restart we want devices to keep working for longer to reduce the environmental impact of electronic waste.

Links:

Motherboard: DHS seizes aftermarket iPhone screens from prominent right-to-repair advocate
Motherboard: Apple sued an independent iPhone repair shop owner and lost
Jessa Jones’ iPad Rehab YouTube channel
Sugru: Tech & gadget – the best tech hacks right now
The Guardian: Bioplastic encourages people to mend, not replace [on FORMcard]
Restart Wiki

[Featured image by Sugru]

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Restart Radio: 3D printing medical devices in Gaza May 09, 2018

In this week’s episode, Ugo and Isabel interview Tarek Loubani, a Palestinian-Canadian doctor who has created low-cost 3D-printed medical devices to help with the lack of supply in Gaza. We also discuss the importance of having repair parts available to keep all medical devices working for longer, and opportunities for 3D printing to boost independence and resilience when using these devices.

First, Tarek tells us about the start and motivations for the project. In the context of the Gaza blockade, he had been trying to figure out ways to ensure the necessary supply of medical devices in Gaza hospitals. Playing with a toy stethoscope, he realised it could be reasonably functional, so he put together a group of engineers to come up with a simple, low cost, 3D-printed alternative, which costs less than $3 to produce. Not only did it work, it has recently been clinically validated! This proves that it is 100% as good in terms of quality compared to current professional competitors, which cost a hundred times more. Tarek tells us how there was an initial skepticism around quality as they produced domestically, so this validation is great news for the team, as well of course as for hospital patients.

Next, we discuss other devices that Tarek’s initiative has helped 3D print. His group was approached by the Disasters Committee in Gaza, who called attention to the fact that many people in Gaza’s 2014 war died as a result of gunshot wounds in their arms and legs. So Tarek and their team came up with a 3D-printed tourniquet to help medical professionals block hemorrhages. This device again proves crucial given the recent March protests in Gaza, where almost 1,000 people were shot in one day, with about 80% of these being injured in arms or legs.

3D printing is usually not an effective way of printing large amounts of units of a product: it’s a slow process, with a large environmental footprint. However, Tarek reminds us that the real problem in Gaza is the blockade, drastically limiting access to all kinds of supplies. In this context, 3D-printed devices can be the difference between life and death. Tarek tells us about Gaza’s 100% plastic recycling rate, and how they use recyclable ABS plastic and solar power to 3D print, as they can’t rely on electrical supply.

Finally, Tarek comments on the importance of bringing 3D printing literacy and skills to other parts of the Gaza strip. For example, they have had high school students come to their office to learn first hand from this work. But the whole world can learn from more repairable and modular medical devices. Even in high-income countries like Canada, Tarek reports, expensive devices such a pulse oxymeters fail and can’t easily be repaired. 3D-printed devices may in the future offer more independence and prove more affordable in the long run. Why spends lots of money in something you can’t easily repair?

Links:

Glia Project: About us
The Guardian: Palestinians hold day of mourning after 773 shot
Independent: Tarek Loubani 3d printed stethoscopes to alleviate supply shortage
Science Daily: Clinically-validated 3-D printed stethoscope
Repair.org: Medical
MSF: MSF teams observe unusually severe and devastating gunshot injuries

[Featured image from Glia Project’s Facebook page]

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Restart Radio: Protecting our personal data in an age of connected devices May 02, 2018

In this week’s episode, Janet, Ugo and Dave Lukes discuss our personal data being collected and held elsewhere, focusing on the new EU regulation on data protection and its effect on consumer rights. We focus on ‘connected devices’, where increasing amounts of our personal data are collected and stored by companies. There are potentially wider, positive implications of the new rules in relation to the lifecycle of these devices.

But first, May 1st is International Workers’ Day in many countries. We celebrated it by discussing news of the Global Day of Action Against Samsung. A network of organisations called for the protection of their electronics factory workers, who have been and may continue to be exposed to dangerous chemicals. They are asking Samsung to stop attempting to suppress information on chemicals used, to use safer ones, and to ensure workers’ right to organise independently.

Also on Samsung, a US class action lawsuit alleges that the company has teamed up with two other major DRAM memory manufacturers (who have a total marketshare of 96%) to raise the price of their products.

Next we discuss the GDPR, or General Data Protection Regulation (acronym botched by Janet!), which will be enforced on 25th May by the EU. GDPR has to do with the current emails you may be getting from companies or organisations asking you to remain on their email lists. Dave explains the regulation has a strong focus on protecting our personal data, that is: any information that could be used to identify someone. We talk about one of its main principles: about consent. According to GDPR, we all need to be fully and explicitly informed about how our personal data is being used.

Then, we talk about the importance of GDPR in the context of ‘connected devices’. First we have a laugh about inscrutable terms and conditions of products, such as those of Amazon Kindle: it took an actor 8h 59 mins to read them all! Clearly, in the age of GDPR, user-centred terms and conditions will become the rule for these connected devices and appliances, which may soon include household appliances. We use Samsung “smart” TVs as an example, revealing that already there is a divergence between Samsung privacy policies for European (UK) consumers and the rest of the world.

Finally, we reflect on how mandatory, increased attention to the lifecycle of personal data can influence the lifecycle of our devices. With companies accountable for protecting our information, they may have to ensure that our gadgets remain safe of data breaches or hacks, and we hope this implies extending security updates over longer periods of time.

Links:

Change.org: Global day of action against Samsung
Change.org: Call on Samsung to protect workers
Gizmodo: Class action lawsuit alleges price-fixing scheme by DRAM manufacturers
Youtube – Choice: How long to read Amazon Kindle’s terms and conditions
Cnet: Samsung’s warning: our smart TVs record your living room chatter
Samsung: Privacy Policy
Restart: Privacy policy

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Restart Radio Takeover: “It’s MY device!” Apr 25, 2018

In this month’s Radio “takeover”, Restart volunteers Ben Skidmore, Dave Lukes and Steve Cook proclaim “It’s MY Device!”: they talk about our right to repair and maintain our electronics, and about exciting fixing stories at repair events held in London for Earth Day.

First, Dave introduces recent tech news, including Lenovo (owner of Motorola) preventing mobile users from installing another ROM (like an operating system for mobiles) on a recent smartphone.

Next, they ask: how much do we own our devices? They talk about our right as consumers to repair our stuff. They discuss the restrictions to repair certain gadgets, which might not only be technical but also legal. There are initiatives pushing against this scenario, such as the US initiative of “Right to Repair”. They also discuss the case of John Deere’s repair monopoly over tractors, which has led farmers to demand access to repair their own vehicles. They also comment on the recent lawsuit which Apple lost in Norway against an independent repair shop, accused of violating their trademark by using aftermarket iPhone parts. So, do we really own our devices if we are not allowed to fix them?

Ben, Dave and Steve volunteer at our regular Restart Parties in London. They discuss recent events and comment on their favourite repairs. Dave’s pick was quite a particular one: a cat water fountain, which he helped fix in a Hackney Fixers event with a simple rubber band. “Presumably her cat is happy now”, he adds. Ben tells us about his experience with fixing a printer, and they all discuss their approach to repairing these often-hostile devices. Steve and Ben talk about the recent repair event at Crystal Palace, where they dealt for the first time with fixing a lawn mower.

They also discuss the importance of improvisation when attempting a repair, and the use of commonplace objects such as paper clips or credit cards to tinker with gadgets.

Links:

Reddit: Lenovo banned bootloader unlocking
CNET: Flickr has a new owner
BBC Sound Effects
iFixit: Right to Repair
Motherboard: Tractor-hacking farmers are leading a revolt against repair monopolies
Motherboard: Apple sued an independent repair shop owner
Youtube: How-to clean a printer Part 1 and Part 2

[Featured image by Pixabay user jarmoluk is licensed under the Pixabay License]

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Restart Podcast Ep 31: Software obsolescence with Ross Anderson Apr 17, 2018

Dave and Ugo interview Professor Ross Anderson, an expert on Security Engineering at Cambridge University, on the topic of software obsolescence.

First, we discuss how devices connected to the Internet need to be constantly updated to remain secure. Anderson tells us about the approach of vendors to software: it is costly to maintain it and hence they only provide updates for the latest devices, expecting us to get new devices regularly if we want to be safe.

Then, we talk about the frustration that many users experience around repair. Dave tells us about his experience at Restart Parties, where many people feel helpless or uninformed when it comes to software updates and issues of memory or functioning after doing such upgrades. “I feel like every time I do an update something will go wrong”, says Savita at a Restart Party.

We also point out the environmental implications of software updates. We discuss their effects on the durability of the products we buy. Also, we debate over consumers’ awareness of software obsolescence, and how “the software problem” should be noticed when we make purchases: how will having software on our fridge affect its durability? Anderson suggests that appliances that do not need a connection to the internet could be sold with a “dumb switch” to maintain their core functionality when connection to the network fails.

Finally, we discuss who should take responsibility for software obsolescence. Ugo asks about the role of the European Union in the matter, and then they all emphasise the importance of citizen action. Anderson talks about the many levels of action for everyone: from a more conscious purchasing, to actually influencing policymaking.

He ends up calling companies to action: “What you got to do is you got to keep shipping patches for Android, not for 3 years, not for 5 years but for 10 years. Then we’ll believe, Mr. Google, that you actually do care about sustainability.”

Links:

University of Cambridge: Professor Ross Anderson
University of Cambridge: Device Analyzer
The Verge: Android P drops support for Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P and Pixel C tablet
Techradar: Samsung cuts off updates for Galaxy S6
The Verge: Android manufacturers lying on security updates
European Parliament News: Durable, repairable goods and obsolescence
Motherboard: iOS Update interferes with third-party repair

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Restart Radio: Wildlife conservation and the role of open, repairable technology Apr 11, 2018

Ugo interviews Alasdair Davies, who has been working as a conservation technologist for over 10 years. Alasdair introduces us to his work on bringing affordable, customisable and repairable open hardware technology to people working on conservation projects.

When he started working in the field, Alasdair noticed it was hard to get access to devices. The options were: either spent a lot of money on out-of-the-box, proprietary equipment or take a chance with DIY options made in makerspaces. In response, after being involved with the maker movement and working for the London Zoo, he decided to launch his own project – the Arribada Initiative – which aims to deliver “open conservation technology for all”.

So how can technology help in conservation?

First, Alasdair tells us about his project with sea turtles, where he used GPS transmitters to tag and track the turtles’ routine – where they feed, where they nest, and hence where to protect them. These tags used to be extremely expensive to buy and repair, making it too costly to track populations. However, he has worked to reduce this problem, with each tag now costing a third of the original price. Also, Alasdair tells us about how they used cameras and Raspberry Pi technology on the tags to explore the bottom of the oceans. The images are quite impressive:

Next, we talk about the potential of technology for communities to influence local policymaking. For instance, people in marine communities can analyse the type of plastic they find impacting on sea life and where it might have come from. And they can prove how and where to take action for the conservation of species thanks to the more inexpensive tags.

Then, given our interest in repair, we talk about responsible design. When out in the field, there are many issues around repairing the devices used in conservation projects. For this reason, Alasdair has worked on devices which can be fixed easily and locally, making use of traditional tools that communities feel confident with. Also, we discuss the potential to reuse these devices through sharing tools with other conservation teams.

Finally, Alasdair tells us about other projects such as his work with king penguins in Antarctica for “Penguin Watch”, and with AudioMoth, an open source audio recorder used in the field. Arribada’s approach in supporting the team working on the AudioMoth is promising, as it acknowledges the importance of ensuring that open hardware projects get long-term software updates and maintenance.

Links:

Shuttleworth Foundation: Alasdair Davies
Arribada Initiative
O’Reilly: Sea turtles and open source
Penguin watch
Open Acoustic Devices: AudioMoth

[Featured image by Randall Ruiz is licensed under the Unsplash license]

[Video source: Institute IRNAS, as published on the Raspberri Pi blog – Sea turtles and Arribada initiative]

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Restart Radio: Ada Lovelace Day and the stories of women in STEM Apr 04, 2018

In this episode, Janet and Isabel interview Suw Charman-Anderson, founder of the Ada Lovelace Day (ALD), which annually supports and increases the visibility of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers.

First, we discuss how ALD started and how it came to be such a huge initiative, with international events happening each year.

We then ask Suw why she chose Ada Lovelace as a symbol for this project. She tells us the story of Ada, a 19th-century mathematician who worked with polymath Charles Babbage on the design of the ‘Analytical Engine’, a vision of the first mechanical computer. Ada has been considered the first ever computer programmer, with a computing language now named after her.

Then, we talk about the importance of role models for girls and women to go into science. Girls and women are still underrepresented in STEM, specially in fields such as physics or computing. Also, the historical contributions of women to science and tech have commonly been overlooked.

At Restart, we are interested in engaging people with technology from a young age – we chat with Suw about the need to engage girls from a very young age to actually change the gender disparity in STEM. Not only to motivate girls to go into these fields of education, but also to actually continue their careers after their training.

Suw walks us through her own career in science, having graduated from Geology and struggling to find her professional path. She went into publishing and journalism, and reminds people that it is fine to have a less conventional career path.

Before ALD, Suw co-founded the Open Rights Group in the UK, which campaigns for digital rights. We relate their early work on intellectual property law to the US Right to Repair initiative, discussing whether we actually own our devices when our access to repair is denied. And of course, whether Lovelace would’ve been a repairer and user of open-source software.

Don’t forget to save the date of the tenth Ada Lovelace Day, 9th October. And in the meantime you can join us at a Rosie skillshare, for/by women and non-binary people.

Links:

Finding Ada: ALD
Finding Ada: Who was Ada?
Adacore: The Ada programming language
Open Rights Group
iFixit: Right to Repair

[Featured image “Ada Lovelace” by Susanna Dahlgren is in public domain]

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Restart Radio Takeover: Why we replace our phones Mar 28, 2018

In our monthly Radio “takeover”, Restart volunteers own the show. This time, we have Ben Skidmore, Panda and Steve Cook discussing our relationship with phones. What makes us replace them and how can they last for longer?

To start, they chat about the new Samsung Galaxy S9 release, which has some minor improvements – like a better camera – but no increase in relevant features: battery life, for instance, has not improved. Do we need to buy new phone models when only small features change?

Next, they discuss reasons why we change our devices, thinking about issues of repairability and software support.

At Restart, we are interested in understanding the repairability of our gadgets. This is something Steve is actively involved in, as he is volunteering for us as a data analyst, looking at the information gathered through our Fixometer application. Our volunteers discuss the importance of batteries as key components to the functioning of our phones and how, still, these parts are often hard to repair – for instance, when they are glued into the phone.

In terms of software, it is common for companies to stop updating software for their old phones, leaving these users unsupported or unprotected. They also mention the vulnerability of 2G phone users, who can be left behind as companies stop supporting this network.

In terms of repairability, they talk about the importance of being informed when buying new products – not only about durability but about the availability of spare parts. They refer to modular phones, such as Fairphone 2, which offer replacements for repair. We also learn that in France, companies are obliged by the law to inform of the period of availability of spare parts when selling products.

Links:

BBC News: Keeping FM radio for longer
The Restart Project: World Radio Day
Techradar: Samsung Galaxy S9 review
Wired: Phone wars on the camera
RadioNZ: 2degrees to switch off 2G
Techradar: Fairphone 2 review
The Restart Project: France – warranty of spare parts in bill

[Featured image by Alexandre Godreau is licensed under the Unsplash license]

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Restart Podcast Ep 30: Afrotech Fest and Afrofuturism Mar 20, 2018

Janet and Dave interview Florence Okoye and Debs Durojaiye, two of the organisers of the Afrotech Fest, an exciting event which took place in London at the end of January. We talk about representation of black people of Caribbean and African heritage in tech and we discuss the meanings of Afrofuturism.

First, we discuss their motivation to put on Afrotech Fest: the realisation that black people in Britain tend to be underrepresented in tech conferences here, but more fundamentally to challenge the very institution of the tech conference itself. They felt there was a need to involve black voices – everyone, not just self-defined technical people – in debates about technology.

The Youth Programme was a great example of this, and of the importance of engaging kids with technology. Children were protagonists at the event, developing hard skills like coding but also enhancing their creativity, for example thinking of design and storyboarding in videogames. Debs tells us about their STEAM approach (A for art) instead of thinking of science and technology in the traditional way of STEM.

Beyond having fun with the hands-on workshop, the aim was also to gave kids agency, to make them think critically about how technology works, what we should demand of our products and how innovation can be representative and responsible to benefit all citizens.

Afrotech’s main goal has been to empower participants to rethink their relationship with technology and the tech sector. We talk about the difference between “collaboration and not charity”, as Debs puts it. We discuss how the lack of real consideration of the black community results in low number of black people accessing and staying in science and technology jobs. And we arrive at the consequences: how this produces “shoddy” tech, as best illustrated by Google’s facial recognition tool which fails a large part of the population.

Lastly, we discuss Afrotech and Afrofuturism, referring to the recent and much-debated film Black Panther. Along with Afrotech Fest, we see that projects such as Black Panther have allowed for a deeper debate about representation, culture and history. We then talk about the different meanings of Afrofuturism, from the combination of sci-fi and black aesthetics, to its environmental perspectives, and the shift to considering innovation as an opportunity to use local resources and respond to local problems, creating, as Florence says “an intersectional and liberatory future”.

Links:

Afrotech Fest 2018
Afrotech Fest: Youth Programme
Afro Futures UK
The Verge: Google’s racist algorithm
How we get to next: Afrofuturism and Outsider Tech
Renegade futurism: Afrofuturism 3.0: Shuri, Technology & Maker Culture
Goodreads: Octavia Butler – Parable of the Sower
Ron Eglash, TED: “The Fractals at the heart of African designs“

[Feature Image “Afrotech Fest 2018″ by Ian Forrester is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0]

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bracelets made of keyboard keys — **Restart Radio: Repairing in school and Apple’s “zero waste”** Mar 14, 2018
Janet and Ugo talk with Estefania Suquilanda, who is introducing repair into a school in New York City. We then discuss Apple’s recent claims on being zero waste and the Right to Repair movement in California.

We are very interested in spreading the culture of repair from an early age, so it was great to hear about Estef’s work. She is the current Tech Support Specialist at The Hewitt School, a girls’ school in New York City, where she is inspiring secondary school students to gain hard skills fixing devices. Meeting once a week after school hours, her Restart students seem to be learning very rapidly.

Just the other day, they impressively fixed an iPhone 7+ screen in about 45 minutes!

Estef also tells us about her background, which is actually in professional electronics repair. She shares some thoughts on her experience as a female technician and about the small shop where she used to fix Apple products.

Estef and her primary school students made bracelets reusing keys from broken keyboards for last St. Valentine’s Day. Estef implies that reuse can be a “gateway” to repair.

We then stick to Apple to discuss their recent advert, where they state that their iPhone is assembled in facilities that send “zero waste to landfills”. Going through their 2018 report on Supplier Responsibility, we find that this claim is based on their “Zero Waste to Landfill” certification by global company UL, but it is strictly limited to waste produced in its assembly facilities – that is, where all the product components get fitted together. Now, how much waste is being produced *before* assembly?

Apple may be leading the way into a more sustainable manufacturing compared to the other big companies, however if they want to claim absolute zero waste products, they should be transparent about their whole supply chain, for instance about the manufacturing process of components, processing of raw materials and mining.

Lastly, we comment on Apple’s attack on DIY repairs, and whether this is incompatible with a claim of “zero waste”. The US ‘Right to Repair’ campaign, which after successfully getting legislation introduced in other states now arrives in California, is pretty much at the doorstep of the big companies like Apple or Google. The Right to Repair bill is lobbying for making repair information and tools accessible to consumers. Companies may well be interested in providing repair services, however this initiative is speaking for people to have their right to repair their devices themselves.

Links:

Youtube: Apple ad Zero Waste iPhone

Apple: Supplier Responsibility 2018 Report

iFixit: California Confronts Tech Giants in Their Own Backyard

UL: Zero Waste. The first program to validate zero waste claims

Restart: Restart at School

[Feature image by Hewitt School – Twitter]

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Restart Radio: Elinor Ostrom and the commons Mar 08, 2018

Janet and Neil interview Goldsmiths Political Economy Lecturer Derek Wall about his new book “Elinor Ostrom’s Rules for Radicals”, based on the fascinating and lesser known story of Elinor Ostrom: the only woman to have won a Nobel Prize for Economics. We discuss Ostrom’s view of the “commons” and how people can organise themselves to manage community resources.

Our interest in the commons comes from two places: first, a better stewarding of material resources like electronics, but secondly realising that we can only do this effectively when we have a strong “knowledge” commons in parallel, which allows for reuse and repair.

Breaking with the idea of the expert in the ivory tower, Ostrom always worked in a hands-on way with communities to build a body of research. Seeking alternatives to Hardin’s famous “tragedy of the commons” (the idea that sharing community resources inevitably leads to disaster) – and to privatising these commons, Ostrom fought for empowering locals.

Derek tells us about the time when he got to meet Ostrom in person. “The global doesn’t tell you much about the local”, she explained to him. Global initiatives alone, for instance when tackling climate change, are not enough to target local issues, there is a need to understand how to manage problems and resources from the community level. Ostrom called this multi-level approach “polycentrism”.

Most of Ostrom’s work focused on the commons in a material sense – fisheries or land – but she did write about knowledge commons like the Internet. How are we managing this rather intangible commons? Interestingly, scarcity is a recurring issue with material commons, having to organise too many people sharing resources. However, immaterial or knowledge commons seem to actually grow as the number of contributors increases (think Wikipedia!), as long as there as the rules have been collaboratively designed and incorporate key principles.

In our economy here in the UK and Europe, where everything seems to have an owner, can discards or waste form a commons? Janet mentions the case of the Woelab in Togo, where makers built a 3D printer from discarded materials and shared the designs. Thinking of Ostrom’s ideas on the commons, we can be inspired to rethink our relationships with community resources, and the power and potential of acting locally.

Links:

Pluto Press: Elinor Ostrom’s Rules for Radicals
Kevin Carson
Nobel Prize: Elinor Ostrom’s Facts
Motherboard: Togo’s Woelab

[Feature image “Nobel Laureate Elinor Ostrom (Economics) 2” by Flickr user US Embassy Sweden is licensed under CC-BY 2.0.]

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**Restart Radio: Rare-earth minerals in Greenland with Lise Autogena and Josh Portway** Mar 02, 2018
In this week’s episode, we talk to artists Joshua Portway and Lise Autogena about their documentary ‘Kuannersuit / Kvanefjeld’, about a small town in Greenland that is divided over plans for a large, open-pit uranium and rare earth mineral mine. The proposed mine would be the world’s fifth largest uranium mine and the second largest rare earths operation.

Josh and Lise, who have been working together as artists since the early 1990s, in their first experiment in film portray a town divided. Some are passionately opposed to the proposal, which would involve mining off the top of the nearby mountain and filling the adjacent lake with tailings. There are fears for how the dust from the mine may effect farming or the health of the town’s inhabitants. But others see it as the only way to save the town from depopulation, as the population has dwindled since the hey-day of fishing.

Greenland is a country with a very small population and great territory rich in mineral wealth, including rare earth minerals, which are widely used in the manufacture of electronics. Most rare earth minerals are hardly recyclable, and processes for recouping them from end-of-life electronics lag behind developments in their usage. In our increasingly globalised world, we are all connected to each other through resource use. The rate of our consumption of electronic products has ramifications far beyond what we immediately see.

This is not an issue with a simple solution: mining in Greenland is widely seen as a way for the country to gain financial and political independence from Denmark. But in the words of Mariane Paviasen, a resident of the town, “we can’t become independent by giving a piece of our land to a company from another country”. Even among those who might in theory agree with mining, the pace of the growth of mining is a major issue.

Kuannersuit / Kvanefjeld may be about one small town in Greenland, but its story is being played out in countless variations all over the world. Hearing these stories pushes us to think carefully about our role as global citizens and consumers.

Links:

Kuannersuit / Kvanefjeld – full documentary (Vimeo)

Autogena Projects

Narsaq on Wikipedia

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**Restart Radio Takeover: Why we repair in the community** Feb 22, 2018
We’re trying something new. Our volunteers are a crucial part of our work at Restart, and frequently appear as guests on our show. This week, and once a month from this week onwards, we hand them the reins. This is a volunteer “takeover”.

Dave Lukes and Ben Skidmore are two passionate tinkerers and repairers who are equally fascinated by the wider ecological and community benefits of repair. They kick off the show by taking us through two noteworthy items of tech news.

First, the reports that electronics retailer Maplin has faced financial troubles and is in talks with buyers, which raises questions about whether any other brick-and-mortar high street business selling electronic components would step in to take its place. Second, the news that Windows 7 and 8 are losing support for two important features: push notifications, and find my phone. Is this a definitive admission from Microsoft that they have lost the smartphone race?

Next, Dave and Ben turn to wider considerations about the upgrade cycle, and the role of community repair. They muse on the pace with which technology has exploded into every corner of our lives: as Dave points out, there is now more computing power in his pocket than there was in the entire world when he was born.

Dave Lukes fixing a radio at the Museum of London Restart Party

With a whole range of devices now becoming ‘smart’, the demand for things like memory chips is skyrocketing, and manufacturers simply can’t keep up. This naturally leads to a healthy second-hand market: but is this growth due to the desire not to purchase new, or the desire – quite simply – to purchase?

The role of repair in all this is that of a movement towards longer product lifecycles. But it also has benefits for community cohesion that are far more localised and personal than that.

Finally, Dave and Ben discuss tinkering for tinkering’s sake, and the value of creative hacking of hardware. Sometimes, taking apart a gadget doesn’t need to have any evident benefit at all – it’s enough simply to remind ourselves, occasionally, that we *can* choose what to do with the devices we own.

Links:

BBC News: Maplin in talks with buyers

The Verge: Windows 7 and 8 phones to lose support for push notifications and Find My IphonePl

Polygon: Nvidia “working really hard” to increase supply of graphics cards

The Verge: Hackers have turned the Nintendo Switch into a functional Linux Tablet

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Restart Radio: World Radio Day and electronics in the wake of Brexit Feb 14, 2018

On International World Radio Day, Ugo is joined by Restart volunteer Ben Skidmore to discuss the future of FM radio, and the future of electronics manufacturing more broadly in a post-Brexit world.

The landscape of electronics design and manufacture is always changing, but today we discuss several developments and shifts that are particularly significant.

Firstly, our friends at iFixit published a teardown of an Apple ‘Homepod’, the latest (and most expensive) in a wave of ‘smart speakers’ now flooding the market (for more on this, our Voice Controlled Assistants episode link is below). iFixit’s team concluded that the Homepod quite possibly takes the prize for the least repairable device that Apple has ever made, giving it a repairability rating of 1/10. Is the fact that it is highly durable enough to offset this shortcoming? And how might we see the trade-off between durability and repairability being navigated by manufacturers in the future?

Next, we confront some of the unspoken concerns surrounding current Brexit negotiations, particularly with regards to ecodesign. The European Commission Ecodesign Directive spells out a move towards products that are designed to last longer. But if the UK is left to design its own regulations, the risk is that we will not manage to keep up. We discuss a potential future in which the UK becomes a ‘dumping ground’ for lower quality products that are not acceptable in the EU. Luckily, there is hope to be found in the progress being made by single states to protect consumer rights and promote repair, such as the Swedish legislation that gives tax breaks for repair.

Finally, on World Radio Day, we celebrate our love of radio and the station that makes our show possible: Resonance FM (support their fundraiser here). FM radio seems to be one of the most resilient of broadcast media, but as the number of people switching to DAB (digital radio) grows, the possibility of a digital switchover becomes more imminent. There are undoubtedly some benefits to DAB radio, even though we’ve often found them harder to repair. And we should always remember to ask who, and what, is being left behind in case a technology is rendered obsolete.

Links:

iFixit: Teardown of the Apple Homepod
Restart Radio: Voice Controlled Assistants
The Verge: Cost of repairing the Apple Homepod
Coolproducts: A coalition of European NGOs pushing Ecodesign
Restart Wiki: How radios work
Which: Towards the digital radio switchover

[Feature Image “Yet another CXA1191 FM radio receiver” by Flickr user Dilshan Jayakody is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

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**Restart Podcast Ep 29: Tracing global flows of electronic ‘discards’ with Josh Lepawsky** Feb 07, 2018
This week we talk to Josh Lepawksy – Associate Professor in Geography at the Memorial University of Newfoundland – about his work in the field of ‘Discard Studies’, which examines the way in which discards (waste) move through the world at local and global scales.

Josh’s research is specifically focused on electronic waste — his new book ‘Reassembling Rubbish’ (MIT Press) contains the insights gained from a five-year investigation into the global trade and traffic of discarded electronics.

He explains to us why the word ‘discards’ is useful in his field of study: the word ‘waste’ has become too familiar, conjuring up images of garbage bags and wheelie bins. These things to belong to a system that is much bigger, more expansive and more complex than what we generally imagine. Just like our sleek, sealed devices, the system is often a “black box” to us. The large-scale industrial processes by which global discards are taken apart, destroyed, redistributed or hidden are a far-cry from our experiences of household disposal.

Image source: https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/reassembling-rubbish

Of course, aspects of this bigger picture do occasionally make it into the news, especially those that centre around the ‘dumping’ of e-waste in ‘poorer countries’. But while there is certainly truth in shocking, photographic depictions of dumping and unsafe processing of electronic waste, they prevent us from understanding a more nuanced, global political economy of discards. There is so much more going on, even just out of the frame of these images.

Josh unpacks some of the complex rules and conventions governing global trading of e-waste, and emphasises that recycling must be re-framed as a single part of the story, rather than the whole story.

With a more holistic picture that incorporates the repair economy and other means of repurposing end-of-life products, we can begin discuss what a much more just *and* resource sufficient world would look like.

Links:

Josh Lepawsky: Reassembling Rubbish (Research project blog)

MIT press: Reassembling Rubbish

Basel Convention: e-waste overview

Countering WEEE Illegal Trade (report)

Discardstudies.com

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**Restart Radio: Medical technology in/on the body** Jan 31, 2018
Medicine has been revolutionised by technology that goes on – and in – our body. In these cases, questions of durability and reliability can become matters of life and death. From the artificial pancreas to the edible robot, we think about the role that repair and ongoing product support have in the medical technology (med-tech) industry.

Today, we hear from Jon about his own ‘artificial pancreas’ (continuous glucose monitoring device) – a set of devices that help diabetics to more easily monitor their blood sugar levels. Jon talks to Lauren about his experiences of this relatively new technology – both positive and negative – and what it means to be truly dependent on a device.

Image by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (source: Flickr)

We take a brief look at some of the other new medical devices that are emerging, including a range of ‘edible’ pills. Experiments in building open-source platforms for these kinds of devices have got us thinking about the trust and transparency elements of medical technologies. Would you be more willing to swallow an electronic pill that you had designed yourself than one that you had bought from a manufacturer?

Links:

Diabetes.co.uk: Continuous Glucose Monitoring

Wired: Artificial organs developed by biohackers will soon deliver insulin to diabetics

NPR: Are implanted medical devices creating ‘A danger within us?’

IEEE Spectrum: How to design a robot you can swallow

IEEE Spectrum: This swallowable gas sensor could improve your diet.

Dr. Ashley Shew: Tech and Disability

[Photo “Continuous Glucose Monitor” by FDA is licensed as a United States government work]

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**Restart Radio: How repair informs design with Beeline** Jan 24, 2018
Today on Restart Radio, Ugo and Neil talk to Charlie Bruce and Tom Putnam from Beeline: a smart compass for cycling. A simple piece of hardware that displays simply an arrow and distance, Beeline removes the hassle of interpreting an entire map while you’re on the go. And it costs about the same as an average smartphone screen repair: which is often the price of badly designed smartphone brackets for cyclists.

Tom and Charlie hope that their product will encourage more people to cycle. They talk about what it’s like to be a small start-up within a competitive hardware ecosystem. One of the things that makes Beeline stand out is their willingness to learn from their customers. All too often, when a product fails, companies simply send out a replacement and ask that the owner recycles the previous unit. While the failure rates on their product are low, the Beeline team takes back all their broken devices, and examine each one to figure out what has gone wrong and why. They repair all faulty devices and reuse them as demo units for promotional purposes. They have learned from these failures over time, for example by redesigning the PCB (printed circuit board) in their second batch of units, to reduce chances that the soldering would get damaged during shipping. Another area of future work they’re considering is improving the design to reduce cases of water damage.

Image source: https://beeline.co/products/beeline

Another thing that makes Beeline more future-proof than many hardware start-ups is that all firmware (the base-level software that is embedded in the hardware) and the companion app are designed in-house. This means that after you buy a Beeline compass, it can actually continue to improve over time, rather than getting worse or quickly unsupported. This means happier customers *and* less waste – two things that tend to go hand in hand.

Software obsolescence is a growing problem in the world of hardware, but it’s not likely to affect Beeline in the near future. The device connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, a relatively simple functionality, which wouldn’t be affected by lack of frequent updates to a phone’s operating system. As a result, Beeline is compatible with smartphones running old versions of Android and iOS.

We’d like to see more companies, small and large, take a more proactive stance in repairing their devices in-house and learn from their efforts. And we encourage those that are going the extra mile – such as Beeline – to take time to document and be more vocal and open about their approach to repairability and durability. As Tom said, it’s good for the environment, for their customers and for business too.

Links:

Beeline

[Photos courtest of Beeline]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 28: Disruptive design and unlocking wonderment with Leyla Acaroglu Jan 16, 2018

In our first monthly Restart Podcast of the year, Dave talks to Leyla Acaroglu: self-described designer, systems thinker and sustainability provocateur. Leyla’s energy is contagious as she talks us through her methods for designing not just useful and effective products, but also new systems and social conventions.

Having grown frustrated with the ways in which traditional education prioritises linear thinking, Leyla founded the Unschool of Disruptive Design. Within this framework, she teaches systems thinking: a way of looking at the world that acknowledges its interconnectedness. This idea has its roots in The Gaia Theory, which sees earth as a synergistic, self-regulating, complex system made up of both living beings and inorganic substances.

For Leyla, systems thinking enables a fierce optimism in the face of some of the world’s most challenging issues: celebrating the complexity of the societies we have build, she argues that every problem holds its own solution. This means that designers have an important role as change-makers: but only if they learn to think creatively and holistically. She explains how optimism and outrage are not mutually exclusive, reflecting on some of her experiences as a young woman in Australia that drove her to do what she currently does.

Leyla is concerned by the normalisation of unethical practises in design, but she sees huge potential for its revival as a force for good, or ‘silent social scripter’: “We need people pushing at the boundaries of what it means to create things in the world, and what it means to deliver functionality to humans, and what it means to influence desire”.

Leyla was one of our Keynote speakers at last year’s Fixfest: a global gathering for community repair. She talks about the connections between design and repair, and how repairers are often natural system thinkers. We share her confidence that more dialogue between these two closely related industries would lead to a world where people think more deeply about what they are creating, why, and who for.

Links:

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Kano computer kit — **Restart Radio: Flatpack electronics plus battery and CPU failures** Jan 10, 2018
In our first radio show of 2018, we cover a range of topics: from learning about modularity through flatpack electronics, to the recent Apple battery scandal, to the even more recent news concerning Spectre and Meltdown: two recently discovered flaws that mean owners of electronic products everywhere are facing major vulnerabilities.

Ugo and Restarter Panda Méry are joined by Janet to discuss the use of kit-style electronics as educational materials, in schools and in the home. Building on the legacy of LEGO and other building games, the idea of teaching electronic repair and design early on is starting to catch on.

As a complement to the surge in programmes that seek to teach kids how to code, products such as Kano and Pi-top also aim to demonstrate the worth of understanding how hardware works. There are differences in the way we engage with items we have built ourselves, which is evident across a wide range of ages.

Products that come as a kit that must be constructed help us to understand the benefits of modularity, as well as encouraging life-cycle thinking that places each product within a broader social and environmental context. And Kano has shown real attention to this, in providing a reuse project for its “obsolete” first generation.

The sense of ownership and control that we gain from building things ourselves stands in sharp contrast to some of the current models of electronic gadgets, where users feel locked out of the knowledge they need to use their products effectively.

This has been highlighted by the recent scandal concerning Apple’s admission that it has released updates that purposely slow down the iPhone 6 when its battery is wearing down. As Panda explains, the problem is not with the updates themselves, which in fact do extend the usability of phones that might otherwise shut down. Instead, it is a problem of transparency, communication and trust, which points to the need for manufacturers to involve users in the repair and maintenance of their gadgets.

Finally, we touch briefly on Spectre and Meltdown, two major flaws affecting processors (CPUs) that have recently come to light. They affect nearly all computer products and operating systems made in the last 20 years, and as yet, no fully effective fix has been discovered. We suggest that all smartphone and computer users should update their browsers and operating systems as soon as possible to minimise vulnerability.

Links:

Technology Will Save Us

Pi-Top

Kano

Lomography Konstruktor DIY camera

The Repairable Flatpack Toaster (only a concept)

NY Times: Is Apple Slowing Down Old iPhones? Questions and Answers

The Hacker News: How to protect your devices against Spectre and Meltdown Attacks

[Photo “Kano Computer Kit with Raspberry Pi 3” by Adafruit Industries is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0]

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Restart Radio: What does Bitcoin mining mean for the environment? Dec 21, 2017

The soaring value of Bitcoin has been all over the media recently. But what is Bitcoin, and – more importantly to us – what is the environmental cost of ‘mining’ it?

Bitcoin is the largest of a series of emerging ‘cryptocurrencies’ – forms of digital currency that operate by way of decentralized networks. Because users are not identified by their name, but instead by their ‘public key’, they originally attracted media attention as a means of conducting illegal business. Now, however, the enormous profit made by those who invested at Bitcoin’s birth has drawn in more mainstream attention.

What makes cryptocurrency distinct from other banking systems is that it uses ‘peer to peer’ transactions, which are validated by the community, rather than by a central body. The technology behind it is the ‘Blockchain’ – which is essentially a public ledger of all transactions ever made. Sets of transactions are validated in ‘blocks’, and then added to the chain.

The process of mining new bitcoin is actually the process of validating blocks of transactions, which requires miners – or groups of miners – to compete to solve a complex mathematical problem. When the problem is solved, the winning miner is rewarded with bitcoin, and the block is added to the blockchain.

The intensely complicated system by which Bitcoin works has meant that the discussion surrounding it has tended to be dominated by those who understand it: usually, this means investors. But the growing phenomenon of cryptocurrencies is not just relevant to people who have bought bitcoin – it is relevant to all of us.

At Restart, we’re interested in the environmental impact of technological systems – including those that are all but invisible. The internet, for example, is something that people rarely think of as having any material reality. But as we explored in a previous podcast episode, the data centres that power the internet involve huge amounts of hardware that require large amounts of energy to both manufacture and to power.

Bitcoin, far from being an immaterial currency, has a real environmental footprint. This is because huge amounts of energy are required to solve the complex mathematical problems in order for miners to add a block of transactions to the blockchain. It is based on probability, so the larger the number of computers working at it at once, the more chance the miners have of “winning” Bitcoin. As Bitcoins value increases, so does the difficulty of this problem, and so does the energy that is being poured into solving it. The very language used to describe Bitcoin – involving ‘blocks’ and ‘miners’ – points to the real material processes that underpin its highly unpredictable operating processes.

There are many estimates floating around about the total environmental impact of the entire Bitcoin network – some say that it is as great as the entire country of Denmark, and set to increase. Not to mention other cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum, which are using similarly ludicrous amounts of power.

Like traditional internet data centres, these mines also require huge amounts of energy to cool, and equipment is discarded often in favour of newer models with higher processing power. Estimates about their energy consumption, then, must also be considered in light of their embodied impact: the resources going into manufacturing the hardware itself.

Some supporters of Bitcoin praise it as a disruptive technology with the potential to undermine the banking systems that have come increasingly under scrutiny. But we wonder whether its decentralised format is destined to remain that way. The fact that these networks are dependent on such large amounts of power may result in their increased centralization, as more and more mines crop up in areas where electricity is cheap and abundant. And while some projects aim to address Bitcoin’s power consumption by using renewables, lots of mining facilities are powered by energy coming from fossil fuels. Last but not least, we also wonder whether the mathematical problems that need solving for mining bitcoins could be more “useful”, by addressing real computing needs.

Blockchain technology undoubtedly has many applications beyond cryptocurrencies. Like any technology, it is neither inherently ‘good’, nor ‘bad’. It depends on how we use it. We will continue to examine this topic as it unfolds, remembering that there is no such thing as an immaterial technology, and that everything comes at a cost.

Links:

Brett Scott: how to explain Bitcoin to your grandmother
The Restart Podcast Ep. 22: Greening the Internet
Motherboard: Bitcoin could consume as much energy as Denmark by 2020
Grist: Bitcoin could consume as much energy as the entire world by 2020
Quartz: The largest Bitcoin mine in the world
The Register: Scarbucks wifi customers taken advantage of to mine alt-coins
Wired: The Hard Math behind Bitcoins Global Warming Problem

[Feature image “Bitcoin” by Flickr user Stock Catalogue is licensed under CC-BY 2.0.]

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Restart Radio: Voice-controlled Assistants and “Smart Speakers” Dec 13, 2017

In the lead up to Christmas, commuters around London are being bombarded with advertisements for voice-controlled home assistants – in particular the Amazon Echo. Today, we talk about the business model behind the device, our concerns about the rate of its sales, and the questions that the Echo raises about who benefits in the future of machine learning.

The Amazon Echo bears many similarities to its main competitor, the Google Home. Both respond to a ‘wake’ word – which in the case of the Echo, is set by default to ‘Alexa’, a female-voiced assistant who acts as a search engine, can purchase items for you, add items to your calendar, and send commands to other ‘smart’ or connected devices.

Having been a popular item in the US for a couple of years, Amazon brought the Echo (and the newer, smaller Dot) to the UK market last year, but it’s now pushing it with season-specific advertising. With the voice-controlled speaker system recently made available for purchase in over 80 new countries around the world including in India, the number of Echos in homes is set to increase.

Amazon has built an open platform for developers: anyone can create a ‘skill’ for Alexa to be distributed via Amazon. The result of this is that Alexa now has over 15,000 ‘skills’ (which can range from turning on your central heating system to finding the ‘perfect christmas playlist’). Unlike Apple products, where the software platform is inextricably tied to the hardware, hardware developers can harness the power of Amazon’s platform. As just a vessel for Amazon’s software, the hardware itself loses apparent value, and we wonder how many of these speakers will be soon discarded in favour of a new model.

Like the Amazon Kindle, the Amazon voice-controlled assistants are suspiciously cheap. This rings alarm bells for several reasons, and not just because it tends to demotivate repair. We’ve learned that as a rule of thumb on the internet, when you’re not paying (much) for the product, you are the product.

Consumers of voice controlled assistants are paying, in part, with their voices. In order for voice recognition to work with different intonations and accents, manufacturers need a huge database of voices and to employ ‘deep learning’ techniques. These are expensive and time-consuming. But with Echos distributed all over the world, Amazon doesn’t have to collect voices – Alexa does it for them.

Another more troubling implication of this business model is that Amazon – and Google, with its personal assistants both on mobile and the home – are collecting vast amounts of data from consumers. While you can configure these devices to some degree, for them to be effective, personal assistants are always listening.

What will this data be used for? Personal assistants grow ‘smarter’ as they collect information about their users – but it’s actually the companies that own the platforms that have the most to learn. While we may feel like we are in a position of control when we give commands such as ‘Alexa, add mince pies to my shopping list’, are we in fact relinquishing control with every tidbit of data on our interests, habits and personal lives that is sent up into the cloud? Beyond personal data, what will be the consequence of a handful of large companies possessing so much more data and using AI to learn about behaviour of people, predicting wants and desires?

We discuss some open source alternatives – including Mycroft and Mozilla’s Common Voice – with greater transparency and data protection. We’ll be closely following this topic as it develops: voice-controlled assistants are undoubtedly useful for many things, but we need to make sure that we are active participants in shaping the kind of future that we want to live in.

Links:

BBC: Amazon Echos activated by TV comment
Venturebeat: Echo released in more than 80 countries worldwide
Restart Podcast Ep 18: Gendered gadgets
Wired: Voice is the next big platform, unless you have an accent
Mozilla: Project Common Voice
Mycroft: Open source artificial intelligence for everyone

[Feature Image “Amazon Echo” by Flickr user Cryptik Merlin is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]

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**Restart Radio: Exploring personal data at the Glass Room** Dec 06, 2017
You can tell a lot about a person from their data: from the places they go, to the length of their work-out, to their preferred breakfast cereal. And with this amount of private information stored inside an iPhone or a computer, it isn’t surprising that people are unwilling to hand them over to a recycler once they’re no longer in-use. But is this a valid concern, considering that we hand this information over willfully, all the time, to large corporations for whom it is a valuable currency?

A study by REPIC, the UK’s biggest producer compliance scheme for e-waste, showed that 65% of users of electronic items have concerns about their data being breached. Of these, more than a quarter didn’t know how to delete their data, while a third didn’t think they had to. Evidently, education surrounding personal data and how to manage it hasn’t caught up to the large role it plays in the lives of most people.

This isn’t just problematic for its implications to e-waste. It also raises the question of whether we really are willing participants in the Big Data economy.

Today, Ugo and Neil talk about the ethics of personal data collection with reference to The Glass Room: a pop-up interactive exhibition that we visited last month in London, produced by Mozilla and curated by Tactical Tech. The Glass Room aims to educate people about how their data is being monitored through location services, search histories, health information from synced products like Fitbit trackers, likes, messages, and even the exact amount of time in which your attention span is held by a certain article. While Glass Room is now closed in London, their website offers access to a wide selection of the materials presented in the exhibition, including inspiring videos and installations, challenging our understanding of how much we’re being tracked and the extent to which privacy is under threat.

Image source: https://theglassroom.org/exhibit/

But why should you care? Even if you are not concerned with ways in which your data (or the profit generated by it) is used by corporations such as Alphabet – the multinational conglomerate that claims Google as one of its subsidiaries – then the thought of how it might be used illegally by those who successfully breach these enormous stores of data is a terrifying enough thought on its own.

There are ways to take back some control over the information you hand out. Experts at the Glass Room’s ‘Ingenious bar’ handed out Data Detox Kits, which spell out an 8-day plan to help users seek to understand and reclaim the online portrait built up from their data. Ugo and Neil brainstorm some of their own techniques. Duck Duck Go is a search engine which does not track users, and Firefox Focus in a new version of Mozilla’s browser for mobile phones, which makes it very easy to delete traces of what you have searched, while taking little memory. If you do need to continue using services such as Google and Facebook, check out your privacy settings so you know what information is being shared.

With the rise of the Internet of Things, the environmental and social cost of Big Data is only going to grow. If we are to have a truly democratic society founded on trust and openness, the circumstances surrounding collection and usage of personal data need to be made far more transparent.

Links:

CIWM – REPIC study on data security fears and recycling

The Glass Room

Data Detox Kit – Online Version

Joana Moll – The Texas Border

CHOICE Australia – Actor hired to read all of Amazon’s Terms and Conditions

Duck Duck Go

Firefox Focus

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Restart Podcast Ep. 27: How to Restart the World with Lewis Dartnell Nov 29, 2017

Lewis Dartnell, fellow of astrobiology at the University of Leicester, asked himself a difficult question. If tomorrow we woke up and all the technologies we had come to depend on had ceased to exist, what knowledge would we need to re-build them from scratch?

The book that came out of his research, called ‘The Knowledge: How to Rebuild our World from Scratch’, explores the history and inner workings of many of the facets of our modern society. Using the idea of a ‘technological apocalypse’ as a thought experiment, it forces us to consider our dependence on the systems and technologies that we take for granted every day.

When we invited Lewis to come and talk at the first Fixfest at LSE in October this year, he raised the important point that knowledge has become highly specialised. Given the number of people that are involved in the various stages of production of any single item, from the design, to the mining of the raw minerals used, to the assembly, a repairer seeking to understand that item must be multi-skilled, curious, and eager to learn.

In this interview, Lewis talks to us about how people might be inspired to become more curious in the world around them. We also put Lewis’ thought experiment to members of our community at a recent Restart Party in Tower Hamlets. While some seemed to be thrilled at the idea of a world without computers, for others, the prospect was panic-inducing. Imagining the unimaginable raises important questions about the real problems facing our word today. Would we want to recreate the world exactly as it is? What would we change, and how would we change it?

You can also watch or listen to Lewis’ Fixfest keynote on our Youtube channel.

Links:

[feature image by Paul Stuart]

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**Restart Radio: Breaking the world record for community repair** Nov 22, 2017
How many products do you need to fix to break a world record? The repair café held in Cambridge earlier this month has set the new magic number: 232.

Today, Ugo and Jon talk to Nicole Barton from Cambridge Carbon Footprint, who helped to organise the ‘World’s Biggest Repair Café‘ on Saturday the 11th of November. The event was held with the intention of surpassing the 150 repairs that took place in Vauréal, France – previously the largest community repair event to date. Out of the 375 items brought in, the 232 items repaired in Cambridge – which included gadgets, clothing, bicycles and furniture – shows a success rate that adheres more or less to what Nicole estimates is the average success rate for community repair events in Cambridge: around 65%.

Nicole helped put together the Cambridgeshire Repair Café network, which is a collaboration between various organizations including Cambridge Carbon Footprint and Circular Cambridge. She sees repair as playing an important role in tackling climate change. But there are other important benefits, too. She talks to us about what she calls the ‘kindness’ element: the warmth that emerges in a room where people volunteer their time to help others to learn new skills. In Cambridge, where the ‘Town vs. Gown’ divide can sometimes be keenly felt, this serves as a way to unite the community.

This is equally the case in London, where small communities within the metropolis are incredibly important. Our own community lead, Jon Stricklin-Coutinho, talks about his experience working with our community of volunteers both in London and beyond. He talks through some of the ways that its possible to get involved, either by attending a Restart Party in your local area (whether that means volunteering, learning to repair, or just having a look around) or by starting up one yourself.

The key to successful community repair is forging connections. People are often more than willing to help, and often all it takes is a bit of asking around in order to find a usable space and some willing co-hosts and volunteers.

Organising a repair event does take some amount of admin work, like anything else. But issues with safety and liability are easily navigable, and should not put people off. The joy that comes out of a successful repair event makes it more than worth it, even if no records are broken.

Links:

ITV: world record success for Cambridge repair café

Cambridgeshire Repair Cafés

Cambridge Carbon Footprint

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**Restart Radio: Glitch art by refurbisher RDKL Inc** Nov 15, 2017
Today, Lauren and Ugo talk to John Bumstead – an artist and laptop refurbisher whose company ‘RKDL Inc’ (pronounced “Roadkill”) gives a new life to old Apple Macbooks.

Most Macbooks end up recycled – shredded for raw materials. According to John, many discarded Macbooks are only halfway through their lifetime at 5-7 years, and good for another half a decade or more, after a few tweaks. John trawls the internet for wholesale Macbooks. He buys them, refurbishes them, and sells them on at an affordable price. His process sheds light on the somewhat hidden circular world of the online secondhand laptop trade.

But John isn’t just a refurbisher: he’s a living example of ways in which repair can be a highly imaginative act. After seeing dozens and dozens of Apple laptops come in to his workshop with strange and wonderful visuals, John started to photograph the faults and upload them online. When he saw they were gathering interest, he began to experiment further, overlaying them with photographs with tree branches, which he loads onto machines with graphics defects in order to purposely distort the image.

“I never would have imagined starting my business that I would be a visual artist”, says John. “I had no idea. And so many amazing things have come out of it.”

Source: Instagram @rdklinc

John’s work is an example of glitch art – a fascinating movement that sees error and failure as a source of beauty: or in John’s words, as an “electronic ballet”. Communities of glitch artists and repairers might share many of the same aims and philosophies: what better way to highlight planned obsolescence than to draw attention to the aesthetics of error that so many of us are familiar with? Drawing our attention to the fallibility of technology, glitch art gives us a fascinating glimpse into the world behind the polished exterior, the world that repairers have to immerse themselves in each time they diagnose and attempt to fix an item.

Source: Instagram @rdklinc

We also share some of our own stories about screen faults, including a spectacular DIY fix at a Restart Party that involved a series of clothes pegs positioned carefully to keep a screen working.

Screens are by far the most fragile component of the objects we use everyday – our smartphones and laptops – and this fragility is a huge source of frustration. Pushing for more easily replaceable screens is not just a matter of convenience, it is a matter of principle: we do not really own an object until we can understand how to fix it ourselves.

Links:

RDKL Inc: Website

RDKL Inc: Shop

RDKL Inc: Instagram

Glitchet.com: Glitch Art in Peru

Computerworld: Surface Pro 4 Screen Flickers

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Restart Radio: Robot pets Nov 09, 2017

Japan has long been at the forefront of the design and manufacture of robot pets: from the Tamagotchi to the Sony Aibo. But how would these gadget-critters be received in the West, where we are less inclined to see the boundaries between animate and inanimate worlds as blurred?

Lauren Collee is joined by Restart trustee Carolina Vallejo, who spends a couple of months in Japan each year as co-director of the Koshirakura Landscape Workshop – teaching designing and making for greater social sustainability.

Japan was one of the first countries to acknowledge the growing problem of e-waste, and has high electronic recycling targets. Yet we have questions about the success of the Japanese system. Even with recycling and care for resources playing a large part in social attitudes, the current rates of recycling cannot keep up with the increasing demands of a global consumerist culture.

We discuss how elements of Shinto philosophy, according to which objects have souls, have contributed to a society that is less hostile to the idea of an inanimate world that communicates with its users than it is here in the UK.

A poignant illustration of this is the mass funerals held for the Sony Aibo – multiple generations of robot dog that were discontinued, before a new model was released earlier this year in Japan. Many earlier generation Sony Aibo owners had developed strong emotional attachments to their robotic pets, and were left without ongoing support for its maintenance when the model was discontinued.

.@Sony brings back Aibo with some… notable updates https://t.co/cCajlQ96kH pic.twitter.com/zuMCjxoq9B

— CNET (@CNET) 1 November 2017

Robot pets have all kinds of potential: from use in nursing homes as therapeutic tools, as a way to encourage people to invest more care and time in the objects they own. But in light of the current model of ownership – where gadgets are dependent on software and services that remains under copyright – we must expect that there will be significant barriers to repairing and adapting them. And while the use of AI might enable these gadgets to develop increasingly distinct ‘personalities’, how could these services be manipulated and/or hacked?

Links:

BBC: Japan may use e-waste for 2020 medals
New York Times (Video): The Family Dog
The new Aibo
PARO the therapeutic robot
The Guardian: How Paro the robot seal is being used to help UK dementia patients
Sherry Turkle (MIT): Robotic pets may be bad medicine for melancholy
Boing boing: Sony’s new robot dog doubles down on DRM

[Feature Image “img_0169” by Flickr user Steve Rainwater is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

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**Restart Radio: Open-sourcing the Internet of Things** Nov 01, 2017
The rapidly-growing Internet of Things (IoT) takes multiple forms: some more useful than others. Broadly defined, the Internet of Things refers to anything that is traditionally ‘dumb’, but is manufactured to communicate – with other devices, or with the internet. A smart kettle, a smart toaster, or a smart central heating system all fall into this category.

A world where gadgets can talk to each other brings a whole host of opportunities – but it also throws up unprecedented challenges. Today, Ugo and Jon are joined by Davide Gomba, an Italian maker working on an open-source connected home called ‘Casa Jasmina’. Built to merge traditional Italian skills in interior design with emergent skills in open-source electronics, Casa Jasmina is an ongoing project that provides a test-bed for experiments in IoT. Casa Jasmina demonstrates the potential of smart homes that are tailored to the specific needs of its inhabitants, and how it can facilitate more sustainable practices in the home, for example by reducing energy consumption.

Casa Jasmina, Torino. Image by Flickr user Peter Bihr

Davide talks about the emerging challenge of controlling IoT via voice. With many voice-controlled assistants working through proprietary platforms, such as that used by Amazon for Alexa, there is a need for an open-source database of voice that can be used by independent makers.

We talk about the security risks posed by these new products and services, especially in relation to medical IoT devices such as the artificial pancreas developed for Type 1 diabetics.

In terms of e-waste, IoT devices also run the risk of increasing the problem of software obsolescence. If gadgets are developed faster than the resulting software issues that crop up can be addressed, we fall into a pattern by which the life expectancy of our things is drastically decreased. Ugo recently spoke at MozFest about the discontinuation of support for owners of the Pebble Watch after it was bought by Fitbit. The smarter our devices become, the more reliant we become on the assistance of the manufacturers in maintaining them.

Links:

Casa Jasmina

Prof. Ross Anderson: Safety and Security of IoT

Gadgets Now: Smartphone-connected artificial pancreas helps manage diabetes

Mozilla: Common Voice

Fixfest: Alison Powell and Kyle Wiens discuss the right to repair and connected devices

[Feature image “Visiting Casa Jasmina” by Flickr user Peter Bihr is licensed under CC-BY 2.0.]

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**Restart Podcast Ep. 26: Fixers united at the first Fixfest** Oct 24, 2017
On the weekend of 6-8 of October, we hosted the first International Fixfest in London. It was an incredible chance for repairers, makers, activists, tinkerers and academics from all over the world to meet each other, share tips and stories, and come up with joint strategies for repairing into the future.

Video recordings of many of the talks and unconference sessions from Fixfest are available on Youtube. You can also read summaries on the Fixfest site.

This episode features Dave Pickering, our podcast producer, in conversation with repair group organisers from Holland, Italy, Tunisia, Argentina and more. They discuss whether Fixfest can signal a new era of global collaboration for community repair. This podcast episode is a portrait of an emerging repair movement. And it would not be complete without stories about some of our participants’ favourite community repairs. From an old guitar that means a lot to two particular parents, to a cleverly modified paper shredder, it is clear that repair is about much more than just a successful fix. And even if the benefit to individual and community well-being is much harder to quantify than kilos of waste saved from landfill, these event organisers are hugely motivated by the social aspects of repairing together.

Over the coming months, we’ll be featuring more material from Fixfest on our podcast, including an interview with Lewis Dartnell – author or ‘The Knowledge’ – in which we imagine that we have to rebuild all the technologies we’ve come to depend upon from scratch. In another episode, we talk to designer Leyla Acaroglu about her positive vision for systems change, and how we might go about achieving it. Stay tuned!

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Restart Radio: Tech repair myths Oct 18, 2017

The greatest myth surrounding electronic repair – one that desperately needs busting – is that we can’t repair at all. Most items when they break are repairable. But there are several persistent myths about DIY quick fixes that can harm rather than help an ailing electronic item.

To kick off today’s episode, we briefly discuss two pieces of tech news that caught our attention this week. In the wake of the big release of the new iPhone release, there is speculation that the iPhone 7 may still be selling better than the newer model. And the recent resignation of Samsung CEO Oh-Hyun Kwon gets us thinking about why the story hasn’t been as ‘big’ in western news as we might expect.

The first tech repair myth to come under the magnifying glass is one that many people still recall in times of urgency, when a phone is dropped in a river, a loo, a bath, a bowl of soup… put it in rice. Lauren’s recent incident involving a Welsh river indicated that the newer Apple iPhones are surprisingly (and secretly) quite waterproof – at the price of being incredibly difficult to repair when they do break. The old ‘rice trick’ seems to be largely useless. The best thing to do is to take a phone apart and let its insides dry out completely – which is increasingly difficult to do. Most importantly, turn your phone off, and let it dry. Give it a full three days to recover. Inconvenient, maybe, but effective.

We also cover some more obscure home fixes – using ovens to reball circuit boards, or freezers to restart dead hard drives. A recurring pattern is that the technology changes, but myths persist: there was once a pretty solid logic behind the ‘Fonzarelli Fix’, or ‘percussive maintenance’ – the act of giving a gadget a good whack to get it going again. We’ve even found some audio from the Apollo 12 mission in which an Astronaut resolves his dilemma with a well-placed bang of his hammer. The trick, of course, is knowing where to hit.

Links:

Trusted Reviews: iPhone 7 outselling iPhone 8
Ars Technica: Head of Samsung resigns
Gazelle: The truth about rice
Computer repair tips: How to reflow a laptop motherboard
NASA: Audio and transcript from the Apollo 12 mission
PC world: put your dead hard-drives in the freezer
Lifehacker: massage your dead pixels away

[Feature image “365:2” by Flickr user Lisa Norwood is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0]

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**Restart Radio: Community repair, neurodiversity and mental health** Oct 11, 2017
This week, Restart Radio coincided with World Mental Health Day. We talk about how repair can contribute to greater social cohesion and individual well-being.

Community repair events can be a great way of involving people who might otherwise feel isolated, but this takes some thought on the part of the organisers. Restarters Panda Méry and Dave Lukes share their thoughts with us about how spaces and events can be organised to cater to neurodivergent people and those suffering mental health problems.

Aside from facilitating relationships between people, we talk about ways teaching and doing repair can also be an activity with therapeutic qualities. We talk about what it means to ‘get in the zone’ or get in a ‘flow state’ in repair, which Dave likens to the experience of meditation. Rather than seeing the broken device as simply a dead piece of metal, it becomes an entity that the repairer can converse with. According to Robert Pirsig, author of the 1974 classic ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’, this constitutes a kind of friendship. But like any friendship – it can be challenging. Drawing on ideas from Fixfest, we discuss ways in which these challenges are not the same for all people – and how we need to be sensitive to these differences.

Restarters Dave and Philip repairing together at Fixfest

Repair is not purely a manual activity, nor purely an intellectual activity – it is both, and also something that has a significant emotional component. What does this emotional engagement mean for how we relate to either success or failure at the end of a repair? An inspiring story from our most recent Restart Party seems to suggest that the act of repairing turns out to be more significant than the outcome.

Links:

Medium: Neurodiversity and Mental Health

Repair Café (Amsterdam-based Intl. repair organization)

Dr. Becky Faith: ‘Human-battery interaction’

Robert Pirsig: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Matthew Crawford: The Case for Working with your Hands

[Images courtesy of Mark A Phillips]

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**Restart Podcast Ep. 25: Goodbye iSlave (Pt.2)** Oct 03, 2017
This week’s episode picks up where we left off last week, with part 2 of our podcast special with ‘activist academic’ Jack Qiu.

In his new book ‘Goodbye iSlave: a Manifesto for Digital Abolition’, Jack argues that while slavery has certainly mutated from the horrific forms that it took in past, the systems of production and worker exploitation underpinning electronics manufacturing must be considered as forms of modern-day slavery. In Part 1, he tells the story of the coercion of student workers in China, and explains how our addiction to online content – the new ‘sugar’ – fuels this exploitation. You can catch up here if you missed it last week.

In this week’s episode, we hear about some of the political and legal circumstances that make it easy for Foxconn factories to go unchallenged on mainland China – leaving workers subject to abuse, and tech giants untouchable.

Image source: https://www.facebook.com/HKSACOM/

Jack aims to bridge what he sees as the large information gap that exists for most consumers of ‘AppConn’ products. We spoke to people who have recently attended our Restart Parties in London to see if the exploitation of workers in China is something people think about when they buy electronic products.

But even people who are aware of the issues surrounding the production of their phones, laptops and tablets felt somewhat powerless to stop it. Who is ultimately responsible? It is impossible to point the finger at *every* owner of an Apple product. As one of our interviewees put it, that would be “like blaming smokers for being smokers”.

At Restart, we like to say that the most ethical phone is the one you already have: the longer you hold on to your iPhone, the more ethical it becomes. And rather than thinking about our relationship with electronics in terms of individual consumers, we need to think about ways in which our collective needs bring us together as a community.

Looking back through history, Jack Qiu draws attention to the fact that wherever we find slavery, we also find anti-slavery. He believes that there are lessons to be learned, and hope to be gained, from examining the work done by abolition movements, both in London and elsewhere. He also talks about some of the contemporary ways that the dominant models of exploitative production are being challenged, such as Fairphone’s effort to demonstrate that it is possible to make an ethical smartphone.

*Jack Qiu is a member of SACOM: Students and Scholars against Corporate Misbehaviour. Visit their website for information about their current campaigns and investigations.*

Links:

Goodbye iSlave: A Manifesto for Digital Abolition

ZDNet: Foxconn pulls out of Brazil

Fairphone

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**Restart Podcast Ep. 24: Goodbye iSlave (Pt 1)** Sep 27, 2017
What do you know about the circumstances surrounding the production of your smartphone?

For the majority of us, the answer is sadly ‘not much’ or ‘I’d rather not know’. In this special 2-part episode, Jack Qiu – author of the book ‘Goodbye iSlave: A Manifesto for Digital Abolition’ – talks us through a story that has been largely neglected by the tech media.

Many people think of slavery as history. But for Jack Qiu, the present-day treatment of some workers in smartphone, tablet and laptop factories in China needs to be conceived of as slavery. While he says slavery has “mutated” since its most horrific historical forms, he suggests that coercion of student workers approximates modern-day definitions of slavery. He goes further, drawing parallels between the western addiction to sugar that fuelled the slave trade of the 17th century, and the addiction to online content that fuels the endless production of gadgets today, he highlights ways in which exploitative systems of production continue in ever-changing ways.

In Part 1, Qiu talks about the use of student “interns” by electronic manufacturers as a source of involuntary labour, as many vocational students have their degrees held at ransom until they complete work at Apple contractors. He outlines his view of the role of academics in fighting for social justice, and explains his personal reasons for going after tech giant Apple before other equally as exploitative companies.

Featuring the contribution of Restart Party guests around London, this episode begins to follow the patterns of oppression and exploitation that are etched into the phones we carry around in our pockets.

Be sure to tune in next week for Part 2 of the ‘Goodbye iSlave’ podcast. We’ll continue our conversation with Jack Qiu, and start thinking about ways we can move towards a less exploitative and happier model for electronics manufacturing.

Links

SACOM – Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehaviour

Goodbye iSlave: A Manifesto for Digital Abolition

[photo by SACOM]

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Restart Radio: Camping Gadgets Sep 19, 2017

As summer draws to a close, we think about the role of tech in our experience of the ‘Great Outdoors’. Taking a look at the useful, the useless, and the DIY, we think about how current consumer trends in camping and outdoor gear reflect the complicated nature of our desire to ‘get away from it all’.

Camping has always been a chance to get back to the bare essentials, but walking into a camp store today means coming across a dozen products that you never knew you needed. From electric smore-makers to 3D-HD-video-recording binoculars, we take a look at some of the most useless camping gadgets currently on sale.

Sharing some of our own recent camping experiences, we also look at the things you do need, and how to build some of them yourself (See below for links to instructions for a DIY camping lantern, alcohol-burning stove, and pocket-sized oil lamp).

More than anything, camping forces us to think more carefully about the technologies we rely on, and the costs of that reliance.

This episode also features a brief shout-out to the new iPhone X… but only to say that we’ll be keeping track of the OLED screen and stories of its attempted repair. Here’s a clue: we’re not optimistic about it.

(PS: It’s National ‘Talk Like A Pirate Day’ – Don’t miss Janet’s pirate impression at 13.47).

Links:

Outdoor camp stove with USB charger
Ordnance Survey: 20 Useless Bits of Camping Gear
Hongkiat: High Tech Camping Gadgets
UK Camping stats
Instructables: ice-cream bucket camping lantern
The soda-can stove
Instructables: Pocket-sized oil lamp
Outdoor tech

[Feature Image “The camp” by Flickr user Kiril Rusev is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]

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**Restart Radio: Lovefone’s vision for thriving commercial repair** Sep 13, 2017
Today, we talk to Rob Kerr from Lovefone – an independent mobile repair store – about the relationship between manufacturers and repairers.

The appetite for smartphone repairs is growing: recently Carphone Dixons reported a decrease in sales due to people holding on to their phones for longer (bad news for them; great news for repairers… and for the planet!). Third-party repairers have always been crucial in absorbing much of the need for screen repair, as devices become increasingly fragile. But recently, reports of third party spare parts potentially making devices vulnerable to hacking leads us to question what the future holds for accessing parts and repair services. Will this be all playing into the hands of manufacturers who want to ensure that repair business stays in-house?

A Lovefone repairman. Source: https://www.lovefone.co.uk/pages/about-us

“Repair used to be a noble industry, and manufacturers have turned it into a grubby, dirty word”, says Rob. But businesses like Lovefone are fighting back their tactics, and earning the trust of a solid client base. A new generation of these shops is emerging, which prioritise good customer service, use quality spare parts, provide warranties and ongoing support, and employ local people.

Lovefone are advocates for the revival of the commercial repair sector: they offer walk-in 30-minute repair services at affordable prices, and provide a lifetime warranty on repairs done by their technicians. They have even experimented with tiny repair shops in old London phoneboxes (“Lovefoneboxes”), hoping to draw attention towards how easy it is to get something fixed instead of throwing it away.

Lovefonebox, Greenwich. Source: https://www.lovefone.co.uk/pages/about-us

As well as doing professional fixes on phones at affordable rates and sourcing spare parts responsibly, Lovefone uses refurbished screens, giving a new life to cracked screens, and recently started refurbishing iPhones. The refurbishing process is environmentally sound: it provides an alternative to sending old phones to landfill and produces very little waste. It also allows phones to be sold at more affordable prices, and each device comes with a two-year warranty.

But the attempt of manufacturers to undermine independent repair shops is not the only challenge they are facing. Rob sees less and less people applying for repairers jobs in the first place, possibly linked to Brexit reducing the chance of skilled European repairers moving to the UK. The good news is that according to Lovefone there are actually more repair jobs than repairers applying for them. It’s the right time to learn to repair and apply!

Another problem is the fact that phones are increasingly less repairable. This may explain O2’s recent ‘free screen repair’ campaign – at first glance a dream come true for clumsy iPhone users – except it’s only valid for few models, notoriously hard to repair, on the most expensive plans. The campaign however reflects that more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of repairability, and designers are facing a serious challenge.

Rob has a word of advice for anyone looking to buy a new phone: check its repairability! Websites like iFixit (which also provide Lovefone with their supply of spare batteries) provide useful advice on this.

Our rule of thumb remains the same: the most ethical mobile is the one you already have.

Links to things we discussed:

Lovefone

Alphr: O2’s free screen replacement isn’t as great as it seems

BBC: Dixon’s Carphone warns on profit as mobile sales hit.

ArsTechnica: Secret chips in replacement parts can completely hijack your phone’s security

iFixit: Phone repairablility scores

[Photos courtesy of Lovefone]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 23: 5th Birthday Special Jul 26, 2017

This month, to celebrate the Restart’s 5th birthday, we’re looking back on some of our favourite moments from past podcast episodes and Restart Parties. We’ve gotten to know a lot of interesting people over the years, and a lot of interesting machines – from old German radios, to noisy dishwashers, to DIY arcade games.

This episode features conversations with repair and tinker heroes, designers, activists, and authors such as Jonathan Chapman, Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino, Jennifer Gabrys, Tim Hunkin, Adrian Smith, Steve the Spindoctor, and John Thackara, as well as the voices of our Restart volunteers and the owners of broken gadgets.

Looking at the way we interact with our gadgets reveals a lot about who we are, as individuals and as communities. Putting this episode together led us to reflect on the diverse reasons that people repair, and the ways in which these reasons are connected. Whether its a love of tinkering, a passion for design, a desire to help the planet, or an economic strategy, engaging in repair brings us to the heart of a web that connects a diverse array of people and things.

A big thank-you to everyone who has helped us with the podcast over the years, and to our podcast producer Dave Pickering. We’ll be back with the podcast in September after a short break over the summer.

We’d love to get your feedback. Please leave us a review on iTunes – the more reviews we have, the easier it is for new listeners to find us. Drop us a line if you’ve enjoyed the show, if there’s something you’d like to see covered, or if you’re a repairperson, designer, researcher, tinkerer, or a person with a broken gadget and a story to tell about it. We’re always on the look-out for new and exciting topics.

02.34 – Ep. 12: The natural history of our gadgets
04.34 – Ep. 9: Emotionally durable design
12.10 – Ep. 18: Gendered gadgets
17.17 – Ep. 2: Interview with a product designer
17.57 – Ep. 3: Searching for the roots of grassroots innovation
20.23 – Ep. 15/16: Steve the Spindoctor (Part 1 and Part 2)
25.05 – Ep. 1: Introducing the Restart Podcast
25.48 – Ep. 5: How repair economies can thrive again
26.53 – Ep. 21: Tim Hunkin and the Secret Life of Machines

[Feature image by Flickr user Werllen Castro is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]

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Restart Radio: repairing across generations Jul 19, 2017

Every generation has a different attitude to gadgets, but skills don’t become obsolete the same way gadgets do. To have a functioning repair economy, it’s important for generations to learn from each other.

This week, we hear from people of different ages – including a father-son duo – about their view of repair. Restarter Alvin Hardy shares his perspectives on how repair education has changed. Janet and Ugo also share some of their own experiences with children, nieces, nephews and parents.

One commonly-raised concern is the fact that young people seem to be lacking in the DIY training their parents had. Too many young people appear to be calling on ‘toolbox mum and dad’ when things go wrong. Will we eventually be left in a world where few people know how to change a plug?

Gadgets are changing, too. Shiny new smartphones and laptops do not open up as easily as old radios and hand-blenders. And while there is now much more information out there in the form of YouTube tutorials and online forums, these resources are not necessarily easy to access for all generations.

It is tempting to draw general conclusions about how older generations are more skilled with DIY repair, and do not know how to work the internet. But from our experience, this is not always true. Many of our older volunteers serve as a ‘bridge’ between these two worlds. And our recent work with Archer Academy has shown us that not only are students more than capable of learning hands-on repair, they are also actively interested in it.

It is important that younger people are made aware that only a few years ago, it was common that each new gadget was an investment, and products were made to last. Similarly, we need to make sure that emerging tech landscapes are accessible for older learners.

Links:

05.55: Alvin and Ash (HealMyTech)
09.08: Aviva – The ‘Do it for me’ generation
26.40: The Conversation – The bitcoin and blockchain: Energy hogs
27.24: Used GPUs flood the market as Ethereum’s price crashes below $150

[Image by Flickr User Open Minder is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]

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Restart Radio: Can a circular economy be driven by cities? Jul 13, 2017

This Week, Ugo is joined by Clare Ollerenshaw from London’s Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB) to talk about their goals for a circular economy and a more resource efficient capital. While air pollution has rightly received the environmental focus of the new mayor, what about waste?

With London’s population expected to reach 11 million by 2039, and local recycling rates in decline, we need to come up with solutions for our rapidly increasing rates of consumption.

In the age climate change, cities with the size and density of London have a significant role to play in changing consumption and waste patterns. Ugo questions Clare on how London can become a leading city in terms of resource efficiency.

LWARB recently launched a “Circular Economy Route Map” with some concrete steps to help increase repair, reuse and recycling of electronics and electricals. Clare mentions the potential for leasing and incentivised return schemes, which are promising, and we’d love to see this work adequately resourced. But we cannot help feeling uneasy that the “circular economy” is turning into another policy buzzword at best, and at worst used to green-wash.

We’re convinced that circular economies need to involve individual consumers and community groups in rethinking the ways in which we consume and the way we live, rather than simply targeting businesses. If London is indeed to become a leader in resource efficiency, its citizens need to be part of the process.

Links:

LWARB: Circular Economy Route Map
Felipe Fonseca: ‘Tropicalizing the Circular Economy’ (Available in English or Portuguese)

[Feature image “London” by Flickr user barneyz is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]

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**Restart Radio: Repair in the U.S. with Fixit Clinic** Jul 05, 2017
Today, Ugo is joined by Restart’s IT team lead Dave Lukes and Peter Mui from Fixit Clinic, a U.S. based ‘troubleshooting and discovery workshop’.

The Restart Project and Fixit Clinic are a bit like twins separated at birth. We share their belief in the value of teaching repair, rather than just providing a free repair service. Peter Mui talks to us about his vision of the ‘ideal Fixit clinic’, in which the role of the coach and the participant blur and become one’. Dave is a long-time volunteer at Restart parties, and talks about the importance of community to successful repair events, which provide both new and experienced fixers with the chance to motivate and learn from one another.

*Successful repairs at a Fixit Clinic in Albany*

Peter’s view of the current attitudes of manufacturers in the U.S. is not so bright: too often faulty products are replaced rather than repaired under warranty. In the future, he speculates, digitisation of design files may allow manufacturing to occur locally rather than being outsourced. But this needs to be paired with an attitude change, so that the demand for durable products replaces our current complacency with poor quality.

Fixit Clinic have been asked to pair with hazardous waste disposal schemes, but have refused: they want people to think harder about the possibility of their products surviving, and to reflect on what goes into making them. Repair is more than just a useful and enjoyable new skill to be learned: it also forces us to think about the things we own in a much richer way. We can learn to take into account their whole lifespan, rather than just the blip in time that they spend in our use.

[Photos courtesy of Fixit Clinic]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 22: Greening the internet Jun 27, 2017

The internet has become so central to our daily lives that it is nearly impossible to imagine what would happen if we woke up one day to find it had collapsed. But what is the internet really, and where does it come from?

When we store things in ‘the cloud’ and transfer things by ‘airdrop’, it is easy to forget that the internet is a physical structure that needs to be built and maintained, and which uses energy – lots of it.

Today, Dave talks to Sophia Flucker (Data Centre Specialist) and Dave Lukes (IT Manager) about data centres: the forgotten places that all emails, YouTube videos of cats, online recipes and breaking news updates must pass through before they reach our screens.

Sophia explains some of the challenges she faces as an engineer in devising solutions for cooling these enormous buildings, and explains why the environmental impact of our internet usage is not just related to the amount of time we spend on our devices.

The new Greenpeace Clicking Clean report, which puts pressure on internet-based companies to consider their energy footprints, showed some promising progress among the internet giants; but we still have a long way to go. With the spotlight on Google, Facebook and Amazon, we risk smaller and medium sized platforms slipping under the radar.

And then there is there is the difficult question of replacing older equipment with newer, more efficient models. What about the energy that went into their manufacture, is this taken into account?

The extent of our dependence on the internet means we need to think harder about its future. As demand for data grows, the number and size of data centres will grow with it. We need new ways of thinking about the internet that don’t allow companies – and ourselves – to hide behind the illusion of immateriality.

[Feature image by Flickr user ibmphoto24]

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Restart Radio: A second wave of “wearables” for consumers? Jun 21, 2017

After the infamous failure of Google Glass, it seemed that people were still unconvinced about the idea of wearable technology. Videos taken with Google Glass show confused and suspicious faces peering at the wearer, trying to discern how they are being seen, by whom, and how this information was being stored. To many people, something about the project seemed fundamentally creepy.

But recently, a wave of new wearables on the market are attracting attention. It seems that designers and manufacturers are finally putting some thought into the kind of things people might actually want to wear on their person, and how they might usefully fit into our daily lives.

On today’s episode, Janet is joined by Restart volunteer David Méry to talk about some recent examples of wearables, and the problems and opportunities they present.

Snapchat recently launched its new ‘Spectacles’ in the UK, which look like regular sunglasses and record short videos. This is the App’s first piece of hardware, and shows that the line between business models based on data and those based on hardware is increasingly blurred. The decision to sell the Spectacles out of a vending machine has been a large part of the hype surrounding the launch; but it points to a worrying potential direction for wearable technology more broadly. Are we going to see the next wave of gadgets become as disposable as an empty soda can?

We talk about some other projects that show more promise: a denim jacket that allows cyclists to be connected as they move around, a new smartwatch that isn’t just a mini-tablet, and potential applications for people with accessibility requirements.

We also talk about some of the privacy and security issues wearable technology can raise.

The move away from screen-based interfaces is exciting. But it’s clear that if wearables that are going to develop in genuinely useful and interesting ways, we need to make sure that the software support is in place to ensure they can be used safely into the future. We know from our Restart Parties that repair is no longer just about broken hardware; it is also about up to date software. And with the potentially widespread use of internal wearable devices for medical purposes, this quickly becomes not just an ethical dilemma, but a matter of life or death.

Links:

01.59: Google Trends data on the use of the term ‘wearables’
03.38: Assault of Steve Mann in Paris
04.43: The use of RFID for nightclub entry
07.56: Edelman research on fundamental ‘trust’ issues
11.00: Gucci ‘hack’ of Snapchat Spectacles
14.24: Levi + Google Smart Jacket
17.40: EMIL + ARIS Smart Coat
23.47: Skagen Smartwatch
26.44: Cambridge’s Ross Anderson on more software support from developers

[Image by Flickr user Anthony Quintano]

The post Restart Radio: A second wave of “wearables” for consumers? appeared first on The Restart Project.

Restart Radio: Keyboards and the durability of interfaces Jun 14, 2017

Keyboards are such a part of our daily lives. We’re typing this now on one: an Apple membrane keyboard that is about 12 years old.

You may not think a lot about your keyboard even though you spend so much time with it. Janet talks with Jon, Community Lead at The Restart Project, and Ben Skidmore, long-time Restarter and recent engineering graduate, two big keyboard enthusiasts.

They both use mechanical keyboards, which are highly customisable, repairable and durable. Cherry has been a leading manufacturer for decades. Jon and Ben take us on a tour of keyboard sounds, touch, and sights. Jon loves noise, and Ben loathes it.

Not everybody will take such an interest in the keys they tap on, but if we take care of keyboards, they can last a long time. We talk about how the Universal Serial Bus (UBS) with its backward compatibility, has allowed for such easy, extended use of keyboards, longer than computers themselves.

Then we talk about the future of interfaces, with much attention recently on voice control and emerging work by Google on gesture-based interfaces. These offer the promise of less-embodied interfaces, and potentially freeing us from the physical habits of sitting (or standing) over a keyboard, but they have a long way to go for most of us.

To close, we offer some tips on how to shop for a keyboard.

Links:

1:36 – Restart Podcast with Jonathan Chapman on “emotionally durable design”
8:25 – Wirecutter post including Cherry switches sound video
12:32 – Twitter: Lori King’s much-loved keyboard
13:43 – Simple Wikipedia: Universal Serial Bus
17:04 – The Lamp Commander
18:16 – Google’s Soli – gesture-based interfaces

[Feature image “Ducky 9008G2 – Year Of The Tiger” by Flickr user Asianoni is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]

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If design studio broadband monitor — **Restart Radio: Designing consumer rights and trust** Jun 08, 2017
Trust is a fundamental part of any relationship, be it with humans or electronics. We place lots of trust and expectation on devices we bring into our homes – you might trust a toaster to make high quality toast. What happens to that trust when the device not only makes toast, but changes data on the internet?

This week Ugo is joined by Matthew Sheret from the design studio IF. Founded in 2015, IF works with companies to design products and services that empower users in a positive way, explore new models of user consent, and help to further mainstream the digital rights of the consumer.

IF’s projects often bridge the divide between digital and physical, and help companies to explore what is possible through their technology to further these aims. Working with CHOICE (an Australian consumer rights group), IF designed a broadband monitor to help people understand their internet connection. As Matthew puts it, “people only care about the internet when it stops working,” so the monitor uses this framing of “what’s wrong with the internet” to enable people to understand and make choices about their network infrastructure and security, as well as to advocate for a better internet connection with their ISPs.

Demonstrating the Broadband Monitor

Matthew also discusses some advocacy projects which are not yet physically realised. The Transparency Mark, one of three different prototypes, sought to enable people to understand more about the safety and history of devices they would potentially purchase by scanning a QR code. While the technology needed to establish this type of database exists, this type of open data capture and sharing is not currently happening.

This type of data would, in Matthew’s view, help to tip many of the issues on consumers’ digital rights into the mainstream, however it will not be something that can be accomplished by one individual organisation. This is exactly in line with Restart’s work on open data on repair: the collective efforts of multiple organisations involved in community repair can drive better understanding of common faults and inspire consumers as well as manufacturers and policy makers. The next generation of consumer advocacy is one that will involve a larger distributed network both of organisations and consumers with the ability both to report on device repairability and early obsolescence due to poor software support by manufacturers.

Ugo and Matthew also discuss some recent news about the right to repair, including the US Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the refilling and reselling of Lexmark ink cartridges and on Apple making a particularly important device for iPhone calibration available to a few authorised repair shops on the quiet.

*Photo courtesy of IF (via website and Twitter)*

Links

IF Design Studio

6:15 – Broadband Monitor project (in collaboration with CHOICE Australia)

11:30 – The Transparency Mark and other consumer advocacy projects

21:12 – How a Supreme Court on Printer Ink Bolsters Your Digital Rights (via Wired)

25:27 – Apple Has Quietly Made its Secretive ‘iPhone Calibration Machine’ Available to Repair Shops (via Motherboard)

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**Restart Radio: 3D sound, hardware and software** Jun 01, 2017
What’s the difference between a prerecorded birdsong and a real one? 3D sound aims to bring audio technology even closer to “real life”.

Today, our researcher Lauren is joined by Dougie Brown from Cassini Sound, and regular Restart volunteer Ben Skidmore. The beginnings of 3D sound technologies have been around for nearly a century; but only now are they starting to reach the popular imagination. Dougie talks about his work in creating 3-dimensional soundscapes for games, and sheds a bit of light on the reasons behind this sudden resurgence.

One way of achieving three-dimensions in sound is binaural recording, which you may have come across without realising it. Binaural recording uses a dummy head, which is designed to capture the exact way in which sounds from a point in space reach our ears at slightly different times, and at different volumes.

*Image by Andrew Eckel*

Previously, sounds recorded using a dummy head only worked properly through headphones. But now, thanks to an algorithm developed by a rocket scientist from Princeton, a range of headphones *and* speakers are appearing on the market that can give any audio – binaural or otherwise – a three-dimensional quality.

The 3D sound equipment on the market is interesting, but it’s not going to fundamentally change the way we experience audio overnight. Ben and Dougie tell us about some of the potential shortcomings of these technologies. (And if everyone rushes out to buy the latest 3D headset only to realise that it was a misinformed purchase, that’s a whole lot of new discarded electronics.)

Luckily, recent innovations in 3D sound tend to exploit the fact that 3D effects can be achieved through software; not just hardware. Dougie explains that the 3D effect of sound in games doesn’t rely on any special equipment, it simply interacts cleverly with the equipment the user already has.

This wave of 3D sound is only just emerging, but it shows promise. And it doesn’t just have potential for the worlds of gaming and music. There are some truly exciting developments in other fields: a 3D headset for the blind creates a soundscape of the city that can be used for personal navigation.

Links:

3.19: How 3D sound ‘hacks your brain’

8.30: Sound Design with Cassini Sound

11.13: Nick Cave’s 3D Audiobook

15.09: Edgar Choueiri’s BACCH Filter

12.34: Radiolab’s first 3D radio show

20.00: 3D headset for the blind (Guardian)

22.42: Soundlabs 3D module and headset

27.04: Jony Ive announced new chancellor of RCA

[Feature image by Gregory F. Maxwell]

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Tim, and Rex make a telephone wire — **Restart Podcast Ep. 21: Tim Hunkin and the Secret Life of Machines** May 24, 2017
The universe of Tim Hunkin is one of whirring gears, flashing lights and strange characters: but underneath the fun and frivolity is an in-depth examination of the history of society’s relationship with technology.

Many of our Restarters fondly remember Tim Hunkin as the host of the ‘The Secret Life of Machines’, which aired for the first time in 1988 and ran for 18 episodes. Tim and his friend Rex Garrod would take apart some of the machines that we blindly take for granted in our every day lives, demystifying their inner workings. By unveiling the long histories of these gadgets, Tim turned his audiences into more appreciative users: people who could get excited about a simple ride in an elevator or the miracle of a telephone call.

Aside from television, Tim has dabbled in engineering, illustration, and museum curation. You can still visit ‘The Secret Life of the Home’: a permanent exhibition that he put together in the basement of the Science Museum. But Tim’s great passion is invention. He talks to us about how tinkering and making are creative processes and offer satisfying intellectual challenges. He also talks about the sense of pride and ownership that comes with making and fixing something oneself. At Southwold Pier, he built his own wacky arcade – The ‘Under the Pier’ show. And in London, his ‘Novelty Automation’ arcade is tucked away in Holborn.

Novelty Automation tribute to the local history of popular entertainment in the city and a challenge to more corporate, large-scale entertainment industry that impinges on it. Tim’s handmade games span the length of his career and offer satirical glimpses of both the world today and the world of yesterday. In one game, users are asked to offer up an object from their pocket to an automated art-critic who decides: ‘Is it art?’ – In another, players are invited on a five-second virtual ‘mini-break’ to a tropical destination from their armchair.

Tim’s love of gadgets is inspiring – for Tim, technologies are not simply final, complete, perfect entities that we must either accept or reject. They are alive, constantly evolving along with society, and made up of intricate and complex components that are both miraculous in their workings and valuable in their materials. A happier relationship with our electronics means learning to celebrate this, and engaging with gadgets beyond their seemingly impenetrable exteriors.

Links:

TV show: The Secret Life of Machines

01.05: Novelty Automation

14.05: Science Museum: Secret Life of the Home

15.01: Under the Pier show

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**Restart Podcast Ep. 21: Tim Hunkin and the Secret Life of Machines** May 24, 2017
The universe of Tim Hunkin is one of whirring gears, flashing lights and strange characters: but underneath the fun and frivolity is an in-depth examination of the history of society’s relationship with technology.

Many of our Restarters fondly remember Tim Hunkin as the host of the ‘The Secret Life of Machines’, which aired for the first time in 1988 and ran for 18 episodes. Tim and his friend Rex Garrod would take apart some of the machines that we blindly take for granted in our every day lives, demystifying their inner workings. By unveiling the long histories of these gadgets, Tim turned his audiences into more appreciative users: people who could get excited about a simple ride in an elevator or the miracle of a telephone call.

Aside from television, Tim has dabbled in engineering, illustration, and museum curation. You can still visit ‘The Secret Life of the Home’: a permanent exhibition that he put together in the basement of the Science Museum. But Tim’s great passion is invention. He talks to us about how tinkering and making are creative processes and offer satisfying intellectual challenges. He also talks about the sense of pride and ownership that comes with making and fixing something oneself. At Southwold Pier, he built his own wacky arcade – The ‘Under the Pier’ show. And in London, his ‘Novelty Automation’ arcade is tucked away in Holborn.

Novelty Automation tribute to the local history of popular entertainment in the city and a challenge to more corporate, large-scale entertainment industry that impinges on it. Tim’s handmade games span the length of his career and offer satirical glimpses of both the world today and the world of yesterday. In one game, users are asked to offer up an object from their pocket to an automated art-critic who decides: ‘Is it art?’ – In another, players are invited on a five-second virtual ‘mini-break’ to a tropical destination from their armchair.

Tim’s love of gadgets is inspiring – for Tim, technologies are not simply final, complete, perfect entities that we must either accept or reject. They are alive, constantly evolving along with society, and made up of intricate and complex components that are both miraculous in their workings and valuable in their materials. A happier relationship with our electronics means learning to celebrate this, and engaging with gadgets beyond their seemingly impenetrable exteriors.

Links:

TV show: The Secret Life of Machines

01.05: Novelty Automation

14.05: Science Museum: Secret Life of the Home

15.01: Under the Pier show

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Restart Radio: DIY radiation monitoring with Safecast and ransomware attacks May 18, 2017

This week, we talk about two kinds of risk: one environmental, and one technical. From Citizen Science projects to community-run operating systems, we examine how we can have more of a say in how to keep ourselves safe.

The Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant, destroyed by the dual earthquake-tsunami disaster of 2011, continues to leak dangerous levels of nuclear radiation. In the aftermath of the catastrophe, citizens quickly noted the absence of localised data that would signify if their environment was safe. The global supply of geiger counters, which give readings of radiation levels, sold out in twenty-four hours. So a group of people decided to take the issue into their own hands, designing a kit with open-source software that anyone in the world could replicate: the project was called ‘Safecast’.

Today, Safecast has surpassed all previous data-sets about environmental radiation combined. Because it exists in the public domain, it is used as a trusted source by reporters, academics, nuclear governing bodies, and even state governments.

The ‘bgeigie’ is designed to be easy for anyone to assemble: all you need is a few hours to spare and a soldering iron. Users can buy the parts online from the Safecast website, or source them themselves, using the freely available instructions and software package. Born out of hackerspace culture, the lifeblood of Safecast is it’s community of volunteers and users. Online platforms allow them to share tips on assembly, repair and maintenance of the ‘bgeigies’.

And unlike with other event-related technologies, where the hype dissolves and leaves behind thousands of disused devices, the fact that users have built the device themselves means a much higher rate of usage. We tend to care more for the things we make ourselves.

Excess nuclear radiation may not currently be a huge problem in London, but citizen science technologies can be used for a huge range of environmental risks. Plume Labs are working on a piece of hardware paired with mobiles that enables citizens to become part of a local, dynamic air pollution sensor network.

Finally, we talk about the scariest tech news of the week: the Wcry ransomware attack that brought NHS trusts and hospitals to a halt all across the UK. The story of how the attack came to happen is a complex combination of economic, political and technical factors, which points to serious problems in the way that these systems currently function. We talk about how average computer users can protect themselves from ransomware, as well as the obligations that governments and corporations have to protect the infrastructure that keeps our societies running.

Links:

Safecast
04.51: Tokyo Hackerspace
14.24: Plumelabs
22.53: Zeynep Tufekci: The World is getting hacked. Why don’t we do more to stop it?
25.33: Mircosoft patch for Windows XP vulnerability

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Restart Radio: Digital archaeology with Jim Boulton May 10, 2017

Janet and Neil are joined by Jim Boulton, ‘digital archaeologist’ and curator of the exhibition 64 Bits, a project that chronicles the history of the World Wide Web.

Looking back at our recent visit to 64 Bits at HereEast in Stratford, we talk about some of the things that stood out both for their nostalgic value, and what they can tell us about our experience of the web today.

Featuring 32 computers and 32 artwork (a total of 64 ‘Bits’), Jim’s exhibition features Tim Berners-Lee’s first ever website, displayed on the browser and NeXT computer used to code it. From there on, each website through 2005 is paired with a computer that matches it historically. For younger viewers in particular, the earlier examples may seem strange, distant and primitive. For those of us who remember these developments, it can be oddly comforting.

Jim talks about the thinking that led to the inception of 64 Bits: a 2002 exhibition at the Barbican called ‘Game On’ showcased the speed at which video games had developed. But nothing similar yet existed for websites, despite the fact that they had evolved at an even faster rate.

The sheer speed of the development of the web is what stands out at 64 Bits. And just as the internet has not stopped evolving, neither has the exhibition. In each of its iterations since it was first displayed in 2010, 64 Bits has grown in size. It remains a living, embodied archive.

From Jim’s style of digital archaeology, we have more to gain than a mere whimsical look back into the past. As computers get more powerful, the layers of code within them become less and less visible, and the multitude of components they contain become more compact.

Understanding the evolution of hardware and software helps us to imagine a more durable and lasting relationship with technology. In removing some of the mystery, we can understand computers and other gadgets as valuable objects that are inextricably intertwined with our evolution as a society.

Links:

Jim Boulton: 64 Bits
Archie search engine
Geocities archive / mirror
Internet archive
Centre for Computing History
BBC News: James Newman’s ‘Megaprocessor’

[Photo courtesy of ’64 Bits’]

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Restart Radio: TFix and ‘better than new’ repairs May 04, 2017

Today we talk to Tad Vaas from TFix, a repair centre in South London that mixes corporate and consumer repairs with a very interesting twist.

TFix performs professional soldering operations that require specialist knowledge and equipment. Tad and his team have developed a way to go deeper into the repair process than other repair shops, using a highly complicated soldering technology called BGA. BGA provides a physical as well as an electrical connection, which allows individual minute components to be replaced on the motherboard.

TFix is comprised of three laboratories, one for consumer repairs, one for corporate repairs, and one for R&D. They are so good at what they do that companies will actually come to them to rectify products after they have been released onto the market. At the research level, TFix are constantly working to identify trends in failures, and to develop new ways of addressing them.

We talk to Tad about the problem with public perception of repair businesses, and how repair companies might attract a trusting client base by making sure they reach standards of professionalism. We also talk about learning repair, which for Tad has been a very hands-on process of trial and error.

TFix see themselves as pioneers in the repair industry, using experimentation and creativity to not just fix products, but to actively improve designs that fail. Their work is underpinned by an ethos of waste reduction that resonates with all of us here at the Restart Project.

Links:

Ars Technica: Nintendo offering simple fix for disconnecting switch controllers
TFix: Nintendo Switch solution
Motherboard: Apple forces recyclers to shred devices
The Restart Project: low consumer confidence in commercial repair

[Featured image courtesy of TFix]

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Restart Radio: The parallel worlds of the tinkerer and the grower Apr 28, 2017

Most people think of electronics and gardening as two very distinct hobbies, belonging to two very different worlds. But there are some striking similarities.

Today we are joined by Lou and Ed from Friche: an art and design studio working towards eco-structures for urban spaces, and our neighbours in our workspace in Bermondsey. Lou and Ed encourage us to re-think the arbitrary distinction we draw between ‘natural’ and ‘manmade’ environments, and to learn to see the resources and materials we use as a connection between the two. Drawing attention to the processes of growing, they create indoor and outdoor green spaces that are co-designed with communities to suit their needs.

We talk about how these ideas can be applied to the problem of e-waste. Many people forget that their phone contains many naturally-occurring minerals and materials, and the labour of manufacturing is just as invisible to us as the processes used to grow our food. At the Restart Project, we like to see ourselves a bit like ‘permaculture for electronics’.

There is another fascinating parallel between the worlds of the Gardener and that of the electronic Tinkerer. Ed and Lou explain the ways in which tree roots can actually communicate with each other along fungal networks called Mycelium, which function a bit like cables. Trees can pass nutrients through these networks to smaller sapling plants that cannot reach the sunlight, and send chemical signals a bit like we might send an instant message.

Finally, Lou and Ed talk us through the processes and equipment of hydroponics. From electric toothbrushes to large-scale LED-lit greenhouses, growing today is inextricably linked to technology. The idea that natural and built environments exist in separate spheres is well and truly out of date.

Links:

Friche
Radiolab: From Tree to Shining Tree
Restart Podcast: A Natural History of our Gadgets

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Shenzhen SEG Plaza — **Restart Podcast Ep. 20: Maker culture in Shenzhen and sustainable design** Apr 20, 2017

Shenzhen, China is home to over 4,000 product design firms and has been labelled the ‘city of design’. But does this create opportunities for more sustainable, open and modular gadgets, or it perpetuating a culture of cheap and disposable production? Today we talk to David Li, founder of Shenzhen Open Innovation Lab, and he provokes us to rethink and update our notions of manufacture in China.

Here in the UK, many people have a perception of Chinese manufacturing as cutting corners, underpaying workers, and producing cheap, low-quality items. But this ignores the economic structures that govern production – and our role in them. Reconfiguring the manufacturing landscape requires international collaboration; and we may have a thing or two to learn from makers in Shenzhen.

The Open Innovation Lab was set up in 2015, and has worked to set up links between Chinese and global makers. Built on the concept of ‘manufacture as service’, Open Innovation Lab believes that factories are neutral spaces that can be pushed into more sustainable production by the demands of customers. Rather than trying to shift production back into small workshops, makers in Shenzhen are finding new ways of working with manufacturers.

David also talks to us about how smaller entrepreneurial makers and designers can work together to challenge the dominance of big companies. Rather than reconfiguring the entire industry in one go, progress is sometimes incremental.

David is optimistic that modular design is getting a lot of international attention. Now it is time to turn ideas into reality, which – he acknowledges – is the hardest part. But if David is right about the customer being the ‘brain’ of the factory, then it is up to us to decide what kind of values we want to see embodied in the stuff that gets made.

Later this year, we will feature a follow-up to this provocative chat, with London-based makers and designers. Watch this space!

Links to things we discussed:

Shenzhen Open Innovation Lab

Wired: Shenzhen: The Silicon Valley of Hardware

British Council Creative Economy: Hello Shenzhen

Bunnie Huang: Essential Guide to Electronics in Shenzhen

[Feature Image “Inside SEG Plaza” by Flickr user Bobbie Johnson is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

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Restart Radio: Sensing gadget failures and frustrations in Belgium Apr 13, 2017

Today we talk to Simon November from Test-Achats (Test-Aankoop) in Belgium, an association that uses crowdsourcing to identify ‘hot-spots’ of consumer frustration and investigate the gadgets that keep breaking.

Test-Achats has been defending the interests of consumers in Belgium since 1957, and is entirely funded by its 350,000 members. But you don’t need to be a member to participate in the project called ‘Trop Vite Usé’ – or ‘worn out too soon’. The website, set up in November last year, lets anyone lodge a complaint about a device, and has received more than 5,000 contributions concerning all kinds of items.

The idea is that Test-Achats investigates the gadgets that receive the most complaints. What the association really hopes to uncover is ‘planned obsolescence’ – the idea that gadgets are designed to break. But this can be hard to prove, so another aim is to just reveal early obsolescence, and put pressure on manufacturers to make products with a longer lifespan.

At our own Restart Parties, we’ve seen similar patterns with ‘hot spots’ of gadget failure emerging. We talk to Simon about how best to harness ‘the crowd’ in these kinds of projects, how to turn frustration into productive action, and how to speed up cycles of response form the manufacturer.

We also talk about perceived obsolescence, particularly with gadgets that are seemingly ‘too slow’. As well as pushing for better-made gadgets, we need to learn how to handle the ones we own.

Links to things we discussed:

Test-Achats: Trop Vite Usé
The Restart Project wiki: Inkjet Printers
Office Space printer scene (explicit lyrics)

[Photo courtesy of Test-Achats]

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Restart Radio: The Past and Future of London’s Computer Fairs Apr 05, 2017

After the demise of the repair shops on Tottenham Court Road, London’s repair businesses took a blow. But a visit to Stratford Computer Fair reveals that face-to-face electronic repair and sales are not yet things of the past.

The closure of shops on Tottenham Court Road, and the disappearance of the computer fair hosted by the UCL Student Union in Bloomsbury, was preceded by a slow but steady demise. Brick-and-mortar businesses disappeared as online competitors snapped up more and more of their customers.

In many ways, the Internet has made it easier to source parts and find repair information. But it has major drawbacks. It is often very difficult to identify the right part, and with difficult repairs, YouTube videos are often simply not enough.

This week we visit Stratford Computer Fair, a weekly meeting point for traders and customers where they can pitch their services and do repair onsite. We talk to several traders, old and young, about the history and the future of the fair, and hear some interesting opinions about the role of the Internet in the changing landscape of London’s repair economy.

It is clear that there is real value in face-to-face contact. More difficult to assess is when it is right to try DIY repair, and when should you consult a professional. Along with this question, we ask how repair people can involve their customers more in the process.

Links to things we discussed:

Brian Moreau: Tottenham Court Rd Computer Fair
Urban75: The Decline of Tottenham Court Rd
Ars Technica: Note 7 Recycling Plans

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The Restart Podcast Ep. 19: High school repair and the next generation of Restarters Mar 30, 2017

Today we head to the US, where a group of high school students and teachers talk to us about an exciting project that began as just a pop-up stall in a library.

We first met Jeannie at Mozilla festival in London. When she returned to the US, Jeannie combined some of the Restart ethos with her own work. With the help of students like Daniel at Fieldston school, she set up a student-repair tutoring centre.

From its humble origins – a table in the library with a handmade sign – the Restart centre grew to involve more and more of the student body. Jeannie and Daniel tell us one day when they set up shop in a field where students were invited to come and repair a stack of 40 chrome books.

They are careful to stress that the centre is not simply a free repair service. Students can book slots in free class periods to fix a broken gadget with the help of a student Restarter. Daniel explains that the goal is to transfer as much knowledge as possible, while getting more and more students excited about the possibility of learning to perform repair themselves.

Since Fieldston’s success, a number of other schools have picked up on the idea of a Restart Centre. It’s a promising prospect, and everyone wins: kids leave high-school with skills that can kickstart their professional lives, or with a growing environmental consciousness, or with simply a new hobby. And hundreds of gadgets are saved from the dustbin each year. It seems high schools could be the key to expanding the Restart community.

Links to things we discussed:

Jeannie’s Blog
The Restart Project: Education

[Feature Image from Fieldston School website]

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Restart Radio: Behind the Apple Genius Bar Mar 27, 2017

Those who make it behind the Genius Bar are under legal obligation to not disclose information about Apple. Joined by Restarter David Méry, we investigate the tech giant’s attitude to post-sales service with the help of some anonymous ex-Geniuses and online forum Reddit.

The Genius Bar has evolved over time, transforming from an actual bar to the newly devised ‘grove’, which is to feature live trees. The name ‘Genius’, however, has stuck around. We challenge the binary that this creates between those who do repair, and those who cannot.

In relation to phones, Apple has always had a culture that appears to discourage DIY repair, and frequently third-party repair.

So how does Apple manage to sustain such satisfaction with its service? With the help of Reddit forums, we discuss the idea of ‘magic moments’ at Genius Bars. And with recruitment emphasizing social skills over expertise, it seems that the role of ‘Genius’ to provide more of a customer-company interface than an on-the-spot repair service.

As an Apple customer, it is important to do your research and know your rights. A little more transparency around Apple’s repair culture will help people get the most out of their purchased items.

Links to things we discussed:

Recode.net: Steve Jobs “against” genius bar
David Méry’s guest post: Getting Smart with a Genius
Reddit: AMA 2012
Reddit: AMA 2013
Reddit: AMA 2014
Reddit: AMA 2017 (1)
Reddit: AMA 2017 (2)

[Feature image “Guarding the Apple store” by Flickr user vpickering is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]

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Restart Radio: The small but powerful Raspberry Pi Mar 15, 2017

On the 14th of March, International ‘Pi Day’, Ugo is joined by Restart volunteer Ben Skidmore and Raspberry Pi Creator Eben Upton.

The Raspberry Pi (which actually takes its name from the programming language ‘Python’) is a tiny and affordable computer that teaches programming to children and adults. It is designed to function as the ‘missing piece’ that connects otherwise obsolete components: old keyboards, old chargers, and old television sets, turning the whole set-up into a functioning computer. And with Raspberry Pis priced from £5 to £30, you are unlikely to find a cheaper option.

We ask Eben about the ethos behind the software design of the Pi, which is built to be compatible with a wide range of hardware. With a reasonable lifespan and small build, it aims to minimize weight added to the e-waste mountain.

He talks to us about his favourite reuse projects empowered by the Pi, from upgrading older cars to analog televisions that become workable computers, and about the potential it holds for increasing access to technology in developing regions.

Ben is an engineering student, and has his own experience with the Pi, which he plans eventually to turn into an arcade machine that will reproduce his favourite games from childhood.

He sheds some light on the repair process of the Pi, which usually requires only some basic soldering. This move towards more modular design, in which separate parts can be more easily replaced, is an important step in creating more sustainable gadgets.

Ben is optimistic. As repair becomes more viable, people will become keener to learn. And with projects like the Raspberry Pi attracting a large user base, access to support is becoming easier than ever.

Links to things we discussed:

Raspberry Pi Website: Re-using the Pi with the Rachel-Pi Project
Instructables: How to Repair a broken Raspberry Pi SD slot
Lifehacker: How to turn your Raspberry Pi into a retro game console

[Featured image “Raspberry Pi 3 Model B V1.2, Oberseite” by Make Magazin is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0]

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Restart Radio: Hoverboards and throw-away toys for ‘big kids’ Mar 09, 2017

When we grow up, we buy things for sensible reasons, and don’t lose get bored or lose interest with our ‘toys’… or so the story goes. But recent fads for personal mobility devices would suggest otherwise.

This week, Ugo is joined by Restart volunteer and IT team leader Dave Lukes, and our new Community Lead Jon Stricklin-Coutinho to take a look at some of these toys for big kids: the hoverboard, or the so-called two wheeled ‘unicycle’.

In the holiday season of 2015, the hoverboard looked as though it was going to be the ‘next big thing’. But as we see time and time again, the race-to-the-bottom that happens with the cost of such gadgets does not lead to the most durable or the most useful equipment.

The hoverboard met many hurdles during its brief period of fame. There are very few places it can be used legally. And when you do manage to get it on the road, you face the prospect of potentially explosive lithium ion batteries.

The usefulness of devices like the hoverboard is highly questionable, and relatively low prices mean that for some, it is a potential impulse buy. This potentially means a lot of new electronic material ending up in landfill.

So where does the hype come from? These kinds of devices seem to appeal to an inner childhood self, with the promise of novelty and fun. But when your toy requires very little skill and almost no physical exertion, it very quickly becomes a bore.

Of course, we cannot dismiss all personal mobility devices as useless. We take a look at some of the more useful potential applications of the technology used by the hoverboard, as well as some alternatives, like the electrically-assisted bicycle. As with most technology, everything depends on how we use it.

Links to things we discussed:

All About Circuits: Hoverboards – How do they work?
The Guardian: Hoverboards in danger of exploding
Brighton and Hove News: Hoverboard catches fire
Gizmodo: Segway style device for paraplegics

[Feature Image by Surrey County Council News]

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Restart Podcast ep. 18: Gendered gadgets Mar 01, 2017

In this episode, we explore the qualities in our gadgets that are aimed at a particular gender. Whether it’s as obvious as a pink diamante-studded telephone, or as subtle as a smartphone screen that is slightly too large to fit in the average female hand, these biases are all around us.

We looked for written commentary on how interlinked aspects of sex and gender played out in the history of design and ergonomics, as it gets quite complicated. We were surprised to come up short.

After we put out a call for listeners to participate in our live twitter chat, we received a big response. It is clearly an issue that resonates with a lot of people. If we want to fix our relationship with our gadgets, this is a problem that we urgently need to address.

We talk to a variety of men and women about their experiences with gender and technology. Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino talks to us about the history of gender-bias in kitchens and more, and some of our Restart volunteers offer their own opinions.

More broadly speaking, inclusivity is something that needs to be addressed in the world of technological design. Of course, it is impossible to design a single gadget that is going to be perfectly suited to everybody’s needs. But we need to be more aware of how to distinguish between genuine differences in needs, and artificial norms. This is a difficult area to navigate, but it is what drives our experience of technology from day to day. Technological gadgets, like people, are not always neutral.

[Featured image “Siemens FeTAp 611-2, 1970, découpage ROSA REPTIL” by Flickr user Fernando Clavijo is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0]

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Restart Radio: The language of our gadgets Feb 22, 2017

Our devices talk to us all the time. It is easy to forget that these blips, bleeps and bloops are not merely generated by the things themselves: they are designed by people.

Today we talk to one of these people: Dougie Brown from Cassini Sound, a team of composers, sound designers and recordists who design sounds for film and television – and for the Restart Project! Dougie help make our music, remaking source material from Opto Noise.

Dougie and his team do not feel that they must constantly be working with cutting edge equipment. In fact, often it is the older equipment, even the broken stuff, which gives the most interesting sounds.

If we want to foster a better relationship with our gadgets, part of this relationship is about understanding how they communicate with us. We take a look at how sounds can trigger a certain emotional reaction in the user, including our least favourite ‘punishment’ sounds – the sonic equivalent of a slap on the wrist – including the Apple ‘Sosumi’, and the Windows 98 ‘error’ sound.

But there are other sounds that give us that warm, fuzzy and sometimes nostalgic feeling. Dougie shares some of his favourites, some positive memories and some more current: the start-up sounds of the Mac OS, Windows 95 start-up sound (crafted by Brian Eno), a PlayStation, and TiVo.

Finally, we turn an ear to the future, taking a look at what sound design might have in store for the world of VR.

Links to things we discussed:

Cassini Sound
Museum of Endangered Sounds
Boingboing.net: Apple’s ‘Sosumi’
Youtube: Other Apple sounds
Mentalfloss: Brian Eno’s sound design for Windows

[Featured image courtesy of Cassini Sound]

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Restart Radio: Saving whitegoods from waste Feb 17, 2017

This week, Ugo is joined by Lawrence Carey, one of the founders of the Whitegoods Trade Association. Lawrence sheds some light on the complex relationships that exist between consumers, manufacturers and third party repair businesses when it comes to the machines we rely on at home: dryers, dishwashers, washing machines.

As we explored in our 2-part podcast on Steve the Spindoctor (here and here), independent repair businesses face some serious challenges. The Whitegoods Trade Association aims to give a voice to engineers who have become disillusioned with the industry. They have come up with their own code of practise – one that offers protection for consumers and repairers.

Whitegoods sales are going up, but it seems quality is going down. For many, the most convenient solution to a faulty machine is to throw it away. Manufacturers tend to keep their technical information ‘in house’, which makes the job of Lawrence, Steve and others exceptionally difficult. Access to spare parts is limited, and sometimes even non-existent.

Drawing on examples from Sweden and France, Ugo and Lawrence discuss ways in which more available data, parts and a system that favours the repair economy could lead to greater sustainability in the White Goods Sector.

Links to things we discussed:

White Goods Trade Association
WTA Code of Practise
The Guardian: Samsung out of spare parts
World Economic Forum: Sweden’s tax breaks on repairs

[Featured image courtesy of WTA]

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Restart Radio: Sustaining Virtual Reality Feb 09, 2017

Virtual Reality (VR) has been heralded as ‘the next big thing’ for a couple of years now. But its relatively slow start has people asking questions about how ‘big’ it will really be.

This week, we investigate ways in which consumer VR might feed into our throwaway economy, or alternatively, ways in which VR might help us imagine more sustainable futures. We take a look at the three main higher-end models currently on the market, as well as the history of VR ideas, starting with a short story in 1935!

VR has a long way to go before it is a staple feature of UK homes. With sets costing up to £800 and some requiring high-end computers, for most, it seems the best way to try out VR is in exhibition contexts.

Janet recalls VR installations at the Björk Digital exhibition, and Lauren had a go at the ‘Energy Renaissance’ VR project at Somerset House exhibition ‘Space to Breathe’ last weekend. We spoke to Andy Franzkowiak, one of the creative minds behind ‘Energy Renaissance’.

Andy explains that patience is crucial in the world of VR, and that time needs to be put into ensuring that the quality of material produced for VR matches the quality of the equipment. Could VR be the perfect antidote to our obsession with throwaway gadgets, rapid stimulation and fast-paced change?

Finally, we take a brief look at 3D sound and its potential both as a supplement to VR, and as an experience in its own right.

Links to things we discussed:

[Feature image “Science and Technology” by Flickr user GPA Photo Archive is licensed under CC BY 2.0]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 17: Drones aren’t just for Christmas Feb 02, 2017

These days, everyone seems to be talking about drones: whether it’s a new model you can fly around your local park, or headlines announcing their potential for mass surveillance. Are they a toy, a weapon, or a tool?

This month, Dave takes a look at drones from the perspective of three different people. For Faraz, one of our Restart volunteers, drones are an interesting piece of equipment that pose more challenges than you might expect. Faraz shows us his mini-quadcopter and explains the appeal for someone who likes to tinker with their gadgets.

But we are not all as technically clued-up as Faraz. With the consumer drone market booming, there’s a risk that all those accidental crashes might fill our e-waste dumps with extinct flying machines.

We talk to Coby Leuschke from Rocketship Systems Inc about how the DIY community are using open-source software as an alternative to mass-produced or “disposable” drones. Coby is the man behind online platform Boxbotix, which makes it easy for people to design, build and maintain their own drones, which last much longer than the versions that might have flown off the shelves at Christmas.

Drones can have much more serious applications than just a whiz around the park. Our third guest is Ivan Gayton, who used drones with Doctors Without Borders for mapping disease in subsaharan Africa.

It remains to be seen what kind of drone will triumph in the future: will it be the disposable toy that finds its way to dumps or more hackable and repairable models, both buy-and-fly and those emerging from open-source communities?

[Featured image “Drones” by Flickr user Andrew Turner is licensed under CC BY 2.0]

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Restart Radio: Sifting through London’s recycling woes Jan 26, 2017

We all know that it’s possible to ease the guilt of throwing something away by telling ourselves it will be recycled. But who is in charge of the recycling system, who pays, and does it work?

This episode, Janet is joined by James Kirkham from the East London Waste Authority. We venture beyond the skip to see what happens to our gadgets after we throw them away.

As it stands, London’s boroughs each have their own collection strategies, for all kinds of waste including electronics (WEEE). Whether you find it easy to recycle your broken toaster or not depends on where you live. Some boroughs offer kerbside pick up, some have local drop off points, and some Londoners – like Janet – have to take two buses to get to their nearest recycling point.

It has been suggested that London have a uniform recycling system. But London’s boroughs have very different needs. Some have much bigger population densities and rates of consumption.

In a friendly way, we grill James about why rates of recycling can be so low in London, and what this might mean for the future as the population grows.

Perhaps the repair revolution we need is grounded in an awareness of just how challenging that magic word – “recycling” – can really be.

Links to things we discussed:

Waste360: Decline in England’s recycling rates
Evening Standard: London’s least recycling-friendly boroughs
Green Alliance: Let’s stop blaming councils for bad recycling and reboot the whole system

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Restart Radio: Backups and ‘the cloud’ Jan 18, 2017

When was the last time you backed up your data? If that question gives you a sinking feeling – don’t worry, you’re not the only one!

This week we talk about how, why and where to backup. Drawing on stories from our Restart Parties, as well as your contributions to our Twitter poll, we explore what it is about storage that people find so daunting, and how to avoid losing data forever.

First, we look at the semantics of ‘the cloud’ itself. With a growing sense that data is immaterial, it is easy to lose sight of the ‘thingness’ of the internet. But as ‘natural’ as this cloud may sound, it has its own massive physical and carbon footprint. The annual Greenpeace report ‘Clicking Green’ reveals that the IT sector takes up 7% of global energy usage, and this is rapidly growing.

So what’s the safest, surest, greenest way to avoid losing data? We compare Apple and Android solutions for smartphone storage, and critique apps which claim to do the job.

Happily, it seems that Apple and Google are committed to greener, cleaner data services. But it remains to be seen whether the clean energy sector can keep up with the ever-growing cloud.

Links to things we discussed:

Greenpeace report ‘Clicking Clean’
Ars Technica: The case for using iTunes to back up your phone
Huffington Post: How to prevent losing data
Edelman: Why people don’t trust the cloud

[Feature Image “Clouds” by Flickr user Joe Shlabotnik is licensed under CC BY 2.0]

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Ugo's mended headphones — **Restart Radio: The Future of Personal Listening** Jan 12, 2017
Our listening gadgets are some of our most-used and best-loved devices. But how do we pick the right pair of headphones, and what do we do when they break?

Ugo is joined by Restarter Ben Skidmore to discuss Apple’s controversial ‘Airpods’: do they live up to all the hype? Ugo and Ben take a look at some of the advantages of drawbacks of these new wireless ear-buds, and wireless listening more generally. The wireless explosion could be the end of broken cables; but the cost and difficulty of fixing these new devices could also be a repairperson’s worst nightmare.

You may not be willing to part with your favourite headphones, and you don’t have to: we go over some tips for reducing wear and tear and increasing the lifespan of our personal listening equipment, and some tips for DIY repair. If you want the wireless experience, there’s a dongle available that connects directly to your own headphones, and then wirelessly to your device.

Ugo also shares a love-story about his own favourite noise-cancelling headphones, which were fixed in Nairobi for him five years ago with a simple toothpick. When the earpads began to deteriorate, it looked like the end: but this story has a happy ending. Check out what you can do with some new fabric and a needle and thread!

Links to things we discussed:

iFixit: Airpods teardown

Macword: Release date controversy

Ars Technica: Airpod review

The Verge: Airpod review

Gerrard St: “circular” rental model

Visit our Wiki page for information on diagnosing and repairing your broken headphones

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Restart Radio: The Challenges of Winter Dec 22, 2016

It’s our last radio show of the year, and the weather is getting colder. This week we take a look at Norwegian repair culture, before turning back to the UK, where the growing fuel poverty problem needs some serious attention.

After writing her masters thesis on the Restart Project, Kaja Ahnfelt started running “Fiksefest” – Restart Party in Norwegian – in Oslo. This new branch of the movement is part of a growing wave of environmental initiatives in Oslo, including clothes swapping parties and other local efforts. But it’s also part of a rapidly emerging maker culture. We talk to Kaja about how these two agendas can be merged.

We are also joined in the studio by Dave Lukes, a longtime Restart volunteer and IT team leader. We take a look at the recent hype around ‘smart meters’. Dave explains that their impact on helping save energy is minimal: the main problem is home insulation.

With badly insulated homes that are expensive to heat, the UK has been labelled the ‘Cold Man of Europe’. Fuel poverty in the UK is increasing, and now effects an estimated 2.38 million households. The Ken Loach film ‘I, Daniel Blake’ recently drew attention to some of these issues; but at this rate, the problem could still take eighty years or more to solve.

Luckily, there are some solutions with promise. Oldham council’s Warm Homes Scheme has helped insulate many homes in the area, alleviating many of the mental and physical health problems that come from living in a fuel poor home.

Dave also lets us in on some cheap ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home: find out how to make your own draught excluder, and why a full freezer is better than an empty one.

Links to things we discussed:

Restarters Oslo
Radi-Aid: “Africa for Norway” parody video
The Guardian: Smart meters
The GreenAge: 100 ways to save energy in your home
YouTube: Winter Life Hacks (at 1’59” learn how to make diy draught excluders)

[Feature Image “Fuel Poverty Action at #big6bash” by Flickr user climatejusticecollective is licensed under CC BY 2.0]

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Restart Radio: E-toys and connected toys Dec 16, 2016

The UK toy market is the largest in Europe. As we approach Christmas, last year’s toys find themselves shoved to the back of a cupboard or into a tip to make way for the new ones. Increasingly, the top-selling toys are electronic.

We explore a brief history of electronic toys, from the ever popular ‘Operation’ and ‘Walkie Talkie’ to creatures that seem to be always watching like The Hasbro Furby. (Inspiration for the analog Elf on the Shelf?)

The recent trend is for toys that connect to other devices via wifi and apps. Studies have shown that ‘screen time’ in early childhood needs to be restricted. We explore what this might mean for toys that claim to be physical, but need to be hooked up to iPads and television sets.

Maybe last years toys don’t need to end up in the tip or the shredder after all. We’ve learned from our Restart Parties that kids are naturally good at taking stuff apart – the first step of fixing. And there’s always the possibility of creating something entirely new from broken parts.

As 2016 draws to a close, we also say goodbye to a few devices. Samsung is struggling to recall all its dangerous Note 7s, and it looks like they might have to hit the ‘remote kill switch’ some time soon. Ugo’s cherished Pebble smartwatch has an uncertain future as the company is sold to Fitbit.

Links to things we discussed:

NPD Group: UK Toy Industry Growth
Youtube: What’s Inside Furby Connect?
iFixit: Furby Repair
“The Elf on the Shelf” and the normalization of surveillance
CNN: new screen time rules for kids
The Better India: Dhiren Thacker’s homemade door opener
Ars Technica: US Galaxy Note 7s will finally be disabled
Backchannel: the inside story behind Pebble’s demise

[Feature Image “Furby” by Flickr user Amanda is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0]

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Restart Podcast Ep. 16: Steve the Spindoctor (part 2/2) Dec 08, 2016

In part two of our special two-part podcast, we join Steve the Spindoctor again for a day in the life of an appliance repairer. Back in the van, Dave talks to Steve Neil about sausage rolls, Instagram, what he’s found clogging washing machines, and the challenges that small businesses face today. Steve fixes a botched dishwasher installation to the amusement of a very young Restarter. This week, we also hear from people at a Restart Party in Camden for an insight into what people really do when their white goods break.

Steve names two types of people: those who throw things away, and those who get their things repaired. But here at Restart, we’d say there are also people that try to fix things themselves. With advice and inspiration from people like Steve, it becomes just that little bit easier to move into that third category.

Be sure to catch up on Part 1 if you missed it last week!

Looking for a repair person? You can visit Steve’s website or his Instagram account.

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Restart Podcast Ep 15: Steve the Spindoctor (Part 1/2) Dec 01, 2016

In a special 2-part series, Dave talks to Steve Neil in his van about his work ethic, the trials of being self-employed, and why some machines seem to break so often. We even follow Steve on his repair trips to see how this doctor goes about diagnosing his patients. Join us for a fascinating insight into an exciting and dynamic job, for tips on home appliance maintenance, and for a few laughs along the way: Steve’s good humour is infectious!

Be sure to tune in next week for part 2.

Looking for a repairman? Visit Steve’s website.

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Restart Radio: Black Friday and consumer confidence Nov 24, 2016

With Black Friday coming up this week, we discuss how healthy this mad consumer rush really is for our economy. We’re all familiar with the videos of people pushing each other out of the way to get to the products on the shelf. Huge savings on electrical equipment make this one of the areas of biggest spending. Do consumers really need to buy more, or is it just the next step in the ‘halloweenization of everything’?

Polls and surveys of consumer confidence reveal a huge range of results. We take a look at recent studies and question whether they are representative of how financially stable people really feel. Levels of consumption may not be the best measure of our society’s economic health.

Black Friday, Cyber Monday and its equivalents, such as the Chinese ‘Singles Day’, generate huge amounts of money, but where does this money really end up? Many of the jobs generated by online sales in particular are poorly paid, and the huge spikes in demand can just aggravate already bleak working conditions in the places where products are manufactured.

Perhaps it’s time we paid more attention to other ways to enjoy Friday, such as ‘Buy Nothing Day’.

We also talk about how new Apple laptop models have spawned the hashtag #donglelife. And let’s not forget the ‘Apple book’, which might just take the prize for the most overpriced object on the market at the moment.

Links to things we discussed:

YouGov “UK consumer confidence falls on ‘hard Brexit’ fears“

Deloitte “The Deloitte Consumer Tracker Q2 2016“

PwC “Consumers feeling positive ahead of Christmas following Brexit blip“

Adbusters Buy Nothing Day

Stephen Colbert “The New Apple Book Delivers Something Truly Extraordinary“

[Feature Image “Sears Outlet Black Friday 2011 Ad Scan – Page 1” by Flickr user 24218656@N03 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

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Restart Radio: Policy tips from Brussels Nov 17, 2016

This week Ugo returns from Brussels where he’s been investigating the policy conversations that are happening around products and their durability.

Eva van Velzen from the Netwerk Bewust Verbruiken (or Network for Sustainable Consumption) joins us on the show to talk about the repair cafés popping up all over Flanders. People can bring in anything to be fixed, from electronics to clothes and furniture.

The network also held a political repair café in Ghent, where five politicians were invited to learn practical repair skills.

We talk about our own Restart event held in parliament last week, where UK MPs were invited to experience hands-on some of the problems with disassembly and repair.

In our ‘post-truth society’, there’s a lot of false information flying around. We investigate the (false) UKIP allegation that EU-regulated toasters were not producing proper British toast. Ugo clarifies exactly what categories of appliances come under EU “ecodesign” regulations as part of the Circular Economy Package, and we discuss how we can move towards policy for more durable and repairable household appliances.

What tips and policies can we take away from Brussels to help fix Britain’s throwaway economy?

Links to things we discussed:

[Feature image “Burnt Toast” by Flickr user Treacy is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]

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Restart Radio: Restarting in Leicester Nov 11, 2016

After literally running together from our Parliamentary Restart Party, we had the pleasure of chatting with Marie Lefebvre and Divya Pujara of the Leicester Fixers. Together they have been hosting Restart Parties in their city for a year now.

Marie is a researcher at Loughborough University, and she focuses on how and why owners of gadgets repair them – or do not. After studying marketing and then design for sustainability, she became more interested in this less-studied area of the circular economy and started her Phd. With a friend, she decided to host a “Festival of Making and Mending” last year, and was convinced that electronics repair should be a part of it.

She sought help from Leicester Hackspace, where she met Divya, an electronics engineer and teacher who had been contemplating hosting a “repair surgery”. Their Restart Parties were born.

Their story is really inspirational.

Links of stuff we discussed:

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Restart Radio: Connected device horrors Nov 04, 2016

After our recent “Remote Kill Switch” episode, we have been collecting connected device horror stories.

Only a couple of weeks ago, a bunch of CC TV cameras, routers, and video recorders nearly took down the internet. We talked about this “botnet” – and how some really crap, mundane devices were taken over remotely and used in a cyberattack.

Other stories, care of the “Internet of Shit” tweet, amused us but were less global in dimension. Including the British geek who spent 11 hours configuring his smart kettle. Eleven hours for a cup of tea!

We recalled the hacking of “Hello Barbie” – a connected toy that could be hijacked remotely.

And probably the best wrap-up and summary of how we can create our own horrors, was Terence Eden’s talk at Thingmonk called “The (Connected) House of Horrors”. We played back his top tips, which start with: don’t do it! Don’t connect everything! And then, if you must, don’t buy unsupported crap.

Links of stuff we discussed:

“Breaking Down Mirai: An IoT DDoS Botnet Analysis”
What is a DNS server?
Motherboard: “Should the FBI Hack Botnet Victims to Save the Internet?”
Internet of Shit tweet
Guardian: “English man spends 11 hours trying to make cup of tea with Wi-Fi kettle”
Terence Eden’s Thingmonk talk “The (Connected) House of Horrors“

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Restart Radio: Have we taken thin too far? Nov 02, 2016

We started this show with a discussion about one of the most iconic mini consumer devices – the iPod, which turned 15 years old this month.

Older iPods can be improved and maintained, and we talk about their staying power.

Then we talk about the downside to miniaturised and thin devices, discussing how Samsung locked itself into a disastrous design with the now infamous Note 7. Not only was it very difficult to refurbish, but after the device was discontinued, there is speculation about whether it can be safely recycled at all.

We talk about less dramatic, but very important design trade-offs with thin devices – and how we need to be more aware than ever when picking our next device.

Links of stuff we discussed:

Wired: “Gluing Galaxy Note 7 Batteries Down Made Things Worse for Samsung“
Motherboard: “Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Recall is an Environmental Travesty“
Guardian “Eve-Tech’s crowdsourced computer: the laptop designed by its users“
The “slim” Fairphone 2

[Feature image “Stack” by SlipStreamJC is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0]

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Restart Podcast Ep 14: Boosting reuse Oct 20, 2016

Remember the three Rs? Reduce, reuse, recycle? Why is there so much focus on recycling and so little on the other Rs? Why do perfectly useable products end up in the shredder, when so many people go without in the world?

This episode features an interview with Cat Fletcher, one of the UK’s most articulate and passionate reuse activists. She played a key role in the founding of Freegle, a UK version of Freecycle, and has carved out a niche in Brighton by promoting reuse within the heart of her local government. Her work is truly innovative in the UK.

Cat’s vision of a people-centred resource efficiency is something many of us can get behind. We all reuse stuff, and we always have. And the internet has opened up new possibilities. The real question is whether government and innovators can help us to divert more from landfill and the shredder, in this twitchy, impatient era.

[Feature image from Cat’s Twitter feed]

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Restart Radio: Revealing our repair economy Oct 06, 2016

Every day we see repair shops and hardware stores closing. For years in London, we’ve watched the vibrant repair economy along Tottenham Court Road decline.

So many Restart Party goers come to us because they simply do not know where else to go for help with broken electronics. But we know all is not lost, just that some kinds of repair businesses are getting harder to find.

We talked to Hackney Fixer James Diamond about mapping he is doing with us for the East London Waste Authority on repair businesses in east London.

Through online and on-the-street research, James has identified over 160 repair businesses which fix battery-powered gadgets and appliances in four boroughs of east London. Half “exist” in some form online, and half survive entirely via word of mouth and passers-by.

While some types of repair businesses are fading, like those for small appliances, others, especially for mobiles and tablets are growing.

We talked about some of the main attributes that we are searching for in reliable businesses, that increase trust with consumers: transparent pricing structures, some form of warranty, issue receipts, among others. It turns out that only some businesses tick all of our boxes.

Links of stuff we discussed:

The decline of Tottenham Court Road
Hackney Fixers’ map of repair businesses in Hackney
Our developing criteria for finding a good professional
The Guardian: Sweden to give tax breaks for repairs

[Feature image care of Hackney Fixers]

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Restart Radio: The age of the remote kill switch Sep 28, 2016

So last week we aired our podcast about updates. While we did definitely address “bad updates” and how they cause anxiety and annoyance, the general gist of the podcast was why updates should be good and why they are so often necessary.

We got a comment from a volunteer taking us to task. Toshi wrote

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” [Only if] a security update applies to broke, you should do it.

We are not as default anti-upgrade as Toshi. But there is wisdom in his caution.

Increasingly everything in our lives is powered by software – much of it designed and owned by manufacturers. From cars to coffee machines. This week a couple of stories came to light that had us considering more deeply the age we live in, and how software can be used to “kill” hardware or enforce obsolescence at scale.

This week, with Restarter Dave Lukes we went into a “journey” into a possible age of “the remote kill switch”. If that sounds too sci-fi or too obscure, we started with the examples that came to our attention in recent weeks.

Links of stuff we discussed:

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Restart Podcast Ep 13: Updates… the good, the bad and the meh Sep 20, 2016

We all live with them, even sometimes in fear of them. It seems like they pop-up when we least expect them – sometimes when we least want them.

We’re talking about software and system updates. Some people are super update-phobic. Some are hugely indifferent, and some are even hugely excited by updates.

The bottom-line is, updates are a necessary part of our software-powered world. We talk to Fairphone developer Dirk Vogt and PC Pro journalist Darien Graham-Smith about why updates are needed, and what makes a good update.

At least two updates were required to complete this show, including podcast producer Dave Pickering’s much-feared Windows 10 update.

Links (for reference)

Fairphone: “Our approach to software and ongoing support for the first Fairphones“
Windows lifecycle factsheet
PC Pro podcast

[Feature image “Windows update” by Flickr user christiaan_008 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

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Restart Radio: 3D printing, from prosthetics to blender spare parts Sep 15, 2016

We hosted our friend Paul Sohi, 3D printing and digital fabrication expert, to talk us through the promise of new kinds of making. Paul explains what 3D printing actually is, how he got into it and tells us about some very exciting projects he has undertaken with his company Autodesk.

Most recently, Paul helped paralympian cyclist Denise Schindler make a special prosthetic limb. (Yesterday she won a silver medal in Rio, w00t!) He has also been involved in preservation work with museums, including the V&A. We talked about how 3D-modelling has benefits for public education too, as objects and designs can be “shared” virtually.

Our blenders may not be as precious as a museum artefact, or world-class athlete, but we talked at length with Paul about how 3D printing opens up new possibilities in the manufacture and distribution of spare parts for household appliances. Decentralised manufacture of spare parts could allow us to dramatically extend the lifespan of a whole class of appliances, which break because of failing plastic parts.

Links we mentioned or hinted at

Motherboard “This Cyclist Is Debuting Her 3D Printed Prosthetic Leg at the Paralympic Games“
Autodesk: “Digitization, Documentation, and Democratization: 3D Scanning and the Future of Museums“
Thingiverse Replacement parts
Paul on Instagram and Twitter

[Feature image “Customizable Knob” by Thingiverse user charliearmorycom is licensed under CC BY 4.0]

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Restart Radio: Eco-labelling of laptops Sep 13, 2016

Together with Restarter Dave Lukes, we interviewed environmental journalist Maxine Perella about positive changes announced by the European Commission to “eco-labelling” of laptops and portable computers.

Eco-labelling has traditionally focused on energy consumption during the use phase, leaving out the impact of manufacture. The changes start to take into account a laptop’s full lifecycle.

The EU’s eco-labelling schemes are voluntary, and before this change, very few laptop manufacturers were opting in. We ask about the influence of a voluntary standard – and the role of consumers to make “eco” choices.

As an IT professional, Dave hints that companies could be interested in the standards, especially as they help define the ease of upgradability of laptops. And Maxine suggests that public sector procurement could be a way of promoting eco-labelled products.

We then go through the criteria, which include some really welcome design standards that will help us repair.

Links we mentioned

[Feature image “24th March” by Flickr user Vanchett is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]

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Restart Radio: A phone box turns repair shop Sep 05, 2016

While commercial repairers of small electricals are increasingly hard to find on the high street, there’s one category of repair businesses on the rise: smartphone repair shops. Even though a lot of people are still giving up on their partly broken devices, often waiting for an upgrade, an increasing number of options exists for people interested in repairing mobile phones and tablets, at least from key brands.

Alex Perjescu is co-founder of Lovefone, a London-based repair company which has been innovating by offering quality service at a speed that is unmatched by manufacturers’ official repair centres. A large portion of their work focuses on iOS devices. During the show, Alex tells us about their new development: a repair shop housed inside an iconic London red phone box in Greenwich. Lovefone is testing the concept, hoping to open additional phone boxes in London and beyond in the future. Alex also shared Lovefone’s main concerns and challenges going forward, especially the miniaturisation of devices making them less easily repairable. He also comments on the recently documented flaw in the iPhone 6 touchscreen chip.

Links:

Lovefone turns UK’s disused telephone boxes into tiby repair shops (Dezeen magazine)
Touchscreen chip flaw renders some iPhone 6 and 6 Plus devices useless (The Guardian)

[Feature image “Telephone Box in Snow” by Flickr user CGP Grey is licensed under CC BY 2.0]

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Restart Radio: How long our stuff should last Jul 28, 2016

There is a quite widespread perception that things do not last as long as they used to. How does this impact what we say and, more importantly, what we do? Researcher Alex Gnanapragasam focuses on sustainable consumption and product lifetimes in his work with the Centre for Industrial Energy, Materials and Products (based at Nottingham Trent University).

We talked about how people have different expectations for different categories of consumer goods. And that while we say we want long-lasting products, our buying patterns for some types of products, like electronic gadgets, show the opposite. But then other products are a genuine source of frustration – household appliances are great example.

We asked if consumers consider embodied carbon and virtual water – the invisible impacts of manufacture – which increase the urgency of extending product lifetimes.

And to close we discussed “lifespan labelling” and cost-per-year estimations – whether they could help consumers make greener, more satisfying decisions.

Links we mentioned

Brook Lyndhurst Public understanding of product lifetimes and durability
Daily Mail Here’s proof today’s gadgets really are DESIGNED to go wrong
Professor Tim Cooper’s Longer lasting products – and free sample
Lifespan labelling, European Economic and Social Committee

[Gnanapragasam’s research into consumer expectations of product lifetimes is undertaken with financial support from the EPSRC, grant reference EP/N022645/1]

[Feature image “DIETER RAMS—Design Museum” by Flickr user toby___ is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0]

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Restart Radio: Mobile and retro-gaming (Pokémon GO content warning!) Jul 21, 2016

We started this episode with a discussion of recent gaming sensation Pokémon GO, which is an “augmented reality” game where users track and interact with virtual Pokémon creatures through their mobiles. (Apologies to those who tired of the topic!)

If you’d like to understand why everybody is glued to their mobile screens more than normal, Restarter Ben Skidmore explains it for us.

The game raises fascinating questions about the future of mobile and about the staying-power of games.

We then talked about the popularity of retro-gaming with the news that Nintendo will re-release its classic games from the 80s bundled on a closed, mini console. It appears the company would like to step in and make money from older games, given the success of unsanctioned emulators. In principle we welcome this, but it remains to be seen whether this, like Pokémon GO, will be a flash in the pan.

Links we mentioned:

Bonus link, our favourite new-retro game (banned from app stores!) Phone Story

[Feature image “Pokémon Go” by Flickr user Edowoo is licensed under CC BY 2.0]

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Restart Radio: A community repair revival in Argentina Jul 14, 2016

Recently we got an invitation to meet from an Instagram account that had caught our attention – the Club de Reparadores in Buenos Aires.

We immediately bonded with Marina, one of the founders visiting London, and invited her to chat on the radio about waste, reuse, and repair in Argentina. We face similar constraints and problems, but the speed at which the Club de Reparadores grew says something special about Buenos Aires, and Marina and friends!

We talked about the Argentinian context – informal waste pickers and recycling cooperatives, Fab Labs – and more general themes like 3D printing, and the role of good design and communication in reviving repair and more green choices.

(N.b. while Marina is positive about the attempts to promote local, grassroots recycling cooperatives, she did tell us that larger companies are playing an increasingly dominant role in managing the city’s waste and resources.)

Links we mentioned:

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Restart Podcast Ep 12: A natural history of our gadgets Jul 06, 2016

We’ve all heard that our gadgets contain valuable minerals, and that they have toxic components. But what do we really know about what is inside our gadgets, how they are made, and their afterlives?

We talked to Goldsmiths researcher Jennifer Gabrys, whose book Digital Rubbish: A Natural History of Electronics, changed our perceptions. Exploring the environmental legacy of chip making in Silicon Valley, and the toxicity in plastics and other materials, Gabrys challenges us to understand our gadgets as not separate from “nature” but instead as “future fossils”.

Links

Digital Rubbish: A Natural History of Electronics by Jennifer Gabrys (free PDF download)
Map of Superfund sites in Silicon Valley
Greenpeace’s Green Gadgets: Designing the Future – The path to greener electronics

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Restart Radio: A tour of the Youtube repair “ecosystem” Jun 30, 2016

We talked this week about how online information has truly revolutionised electronics repair. Ever since the early days of the internet, people have been helping each other repair products online, by sharing tips, diagrams, images and how-to guides.

Dave Lukes, veteran Restarter, joined us to talk about the power of the online repair ecosystem. We mostly focused on the material available on Youtube.

We start with an amateur DIY video of the “longtail” of devices, where an owner’s only hope is to find another person with the same problem.

Then we look at how amateur repairers can learn skills and build confidence with helpful educational videos, both from companies and talented individuals.

To follow we investigate the number of professional repairers sharing their skills – and ethics – with others.

And we close with a video in Hindi, showing that repair information is truly global.

Links we mentioned:

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Restart Radio: Women who build PCs Jun 23, 2016

We talked this week with Monique Szpak and Halima Koundi, software developers and tinkerers who led our “Build Your Own PC” women’s skillshare last week.

They recounted how a group of women who were scared to reach inside a PC tower became emboldened PC builders by the end of the second skillshare session. Building a PC is a great way of demystifying computing and empowering users of computers to fully own and upgrade their machines.

Neither Monique nor Halima imagined they would have careers in tech – and they both have really interesting trajectories. We talked about how they got into technology through a hobby (Monique teaching herself early computing with books and magazines) and a job (Halima becoming enchanted with data and databases). We also talked about whether they were encouraged to tinker as girls, and the importance of getting girls hands-on from an early age.

Links we mentioned:

Information on our skillshares
Monique’s Build Your Own PC slideshow

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Restart Radio: Young people and future product design Jun 19, 2016

Restarters Ben and Faraz had a busy week, starting with a session inspiring UCL engineering students taking a cours on “How to change the world”, and ending with their participation in the mini Maker Faire run by the Institute of Imagination.

Parents and children attending the Maker Faire were happy to find out about Restart’s work during the event. While only mechanical faults were repaired during the Faire, we suspect we’ll see a lot more electrical toys brought to future events, as almost no repair shops for toys still exist.

Engineering students supported by Ben and Faraz were working on a brief by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation on the future design of electronics. Some of the most interesting ideas they saw revolved around dissolvable PCBs and better integration in the provision of spare parts by manufacturers. Future debates will continue to be on who controls and truly owns a device: the customer or the manufacturer?

Correction: during the show we “thanked” Apple for finally allowing iOS users to uninstall default apps they don’t use. Unfortunately we’ve since learned this is not accurate: with iOS 10 you’ll be able to delete the icon of the app, not all data related to the app, which is a shame particularly for devices sold with limited amount of storage.

Links:

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Restart Podcast Ep 11: A Screen Repair Odyssey Jun 09, 2016

How hard could one screen repair be? When Ugo dropped his (unprotected!) Sony Xperia mobile in April, little did he know, he was about to find out…

After being turned away by one of our favourite professional repair outfits here in London, and upon hearing from Restart trustee about her epic wait for a Sony repair, Ugo decided to source a spare screen and attempt the repair with the help of Restarter Faraz.

A story of frustration and headaches unfolds. What can we learn from all of this? Prevent screen breakage, and think about the costs and inconvenience of repair when you choose what mobile to buy! (And when buying a spare part, be very careful to get the right one…)

Links

[Feature image adapted from Flickr user Vernieman is licensed under CC BY 2.0]

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Restart Radio: Keeping a green and quality kitchen Jun 01, 2016

Our special guest, chef Ian Riley, shared his tips this week on how to select, buy and maintain appliances for the kitchen.

Ian has worked in many different environments over the years, from top restaurants, to catering for rock stars and working on yachts, to co-founding his own small restaurant in Brixton called Cornercopia.

He is a practical, hands-on person, who does not fall for the hype.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, his top tip: learn how to use a knife! He urged us to carefully consider what we need, and if we love to cook, invest and show reverence for the appliances we own.

He talked to us about quality food processors and how to use and repair them, and how to buy professional grade appliances second-hand.

Links we mentioned

[Photo courtesy of Ian Riley]

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Restart Radio: Repair as a sensory experience May 25, 2016

We love the internet, and the emancipatory potential of communications technology, but what we see around us is a physical alienation from the devices that connect us. Our tactile interaction with them is severely constrained to tapping and swiping – we struggle to even change a battery or upgrade storage or memory.

In this respect, our Restart Parties are a feast for the senses – we love “screentime”, that is, our time behind the screen.

Restarter Ben Skidmore goes on a sensory journey with us in this episode, as we talk about how the senses of hearing, smell, touch, sight, and even taste are used in troubleshooting and repairing electronics and electricals.

Links we mentioned

Extra reading: Jestine Yong’s “How to Scan for Bad Components”

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Restart Radio: New drives extend lives of computers and gadgets May 20, 2016

We’ve depended on hard drives for decades to store our data and files for our operating systems. They are almost synonymous with data storage.

But a quiet revolution has been underway for a couple of years, with the growth of the “solid state drive” or SSD. These drives contain no mechanic or spinning parts, which means they are smaller, more durable and faster. Prices have come down significantly in recent years, and they are now within reach for the average user.

Restarter Dave Lukes helps us understand the difference between the two kinds of drives, and how they can help breathe new life into older laptops and gadgets.

SSDs can allow us to make a five year old laptop feel like new again, or to “pimp out” that older iPod.

Links we mentioned

PC World SSD Prices Plummet
Restart wiki SSD Migration and Troubleshooting
Turbo-charge your iPod Classic
Western Digital and Sandisk merger
SSD market share

[Feature image “SSD/HDD Hybrid + HDD” by Flickr user Yutaka Tsutano is licensed under CC BY 2.0]

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Restart Radio: The “Red Ring of Death” and new repair businesses May 11, 2016

Restarter Faraz spent three hours helping an Xbox 360 owner deal with the infamous “Red Ring of Death” fault on his game console, and he joined us to talk about the experience.

We learned that the overheating game consoles are an iconic fault, that Microsoft execs valued at $1 billion. And it turns out that a whole online economy sprung up to deal with the problem – including repair kits and full-service repairs.

We talked about how a number of common repairs are available as a service on eBay, and how there might be space for better online marketplaces and platforms to broker repairs. We also talked about how pop-up repair might be a real-world analog to online repairs, and the limits of these new approaches.

Links

[Feature image “Read Ring of Death” by Flickr user Ray M is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]

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Restart Radio: selling and buying secondhand electronics May 05, 2016

Our mission at The Restart Project is encourage people to keep things for longer. But we are realistic. Sometimes the best option, to keep a gadget in use for longer, is to find it a new owner. Or instead of buying new, to buy somebody else’s gadget.

You won’t hear much about this anywhere. It’s funny because in the media, there is the constant push to upgrade, buy new, get new features, but very little advice on what to do with the perfectly functioning gadget to be replaced.

And even your local authority is too busy dealing with what it deems “waste” to give much attention to this.

But reuse and resale helps keeps value circulating, prevents gadgets from being shredded prematurely or being sent to landfill.

We talked about how to give away, or buy and sell electronics in this episode, going through each of the categories we see at Restart Parties: computer and home office equipment, electronic gadgets, home entertainment equipment and kitchen and bathroom appliances.

Links

Our post “Unrepaired” – with links to Freecycle, Freegle, Streetlife, etc
Open Workshop Network‘s map of London
CeX (UK) Buy & Sell electronics
Ebay consumer electronics buying guides
Our advice in wiping your data
Check the history of a used device or mobile phone with CheckMEND
Donate to Computer Aid, British Heart Foundation and Emmaus
Sonos on the cheap: How Chromecast Audio breathes new life into old speakers

[Feature image “Marantz 2220” by Flickr user Markus Reichmann is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0]

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Restart Podcast Ep 10: Getting “closure”, saying goodbye to gadgets Apr 26, 2016

Why does moving on from a mobile sometimes feel like a break up, or worse, a funeral?

We talk with Restart Party goers and with designer Joe Macleod about the end, or what he calls “closure experiences”. So much is invested in getting us started with gadgets – the marketing, sales and delivery. Then the “on-boarding” of apps, and our “engagement” with online content.

But nearly nothing is invested in helping us deal with the end. Many of us obey that crossed-out-rubbish-bin sticker, we do not throw gadgets and appliances away. We hide them away in our houses.

Then, equally, many of us are quite able to move on. Especially with certain kinds of devices, we throw things away with no regrets. But this carefree discarding also represents a lack of closure.

Links

Joe Macleod’s site closureexperiences.com
Braungart and McDonough Cradle to Cradle
Becker The Denial of Death
KIA’s seven year warranty

[Featured image “Answer Your Telephone” Flickr user srietzke is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0]

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Restart Radio: Unpacking Marie Kondo, reflecting on decluttering Apr 21, 2016

We started by paying our respects to climate scientist Sir David MacKay, who died last week at the age of 48. He was very articulate on the climate impacts of our consumption.

This episode focused on the Japanese “decluttering” guru Marie Kondo. Ugo and Restart volunteer Ten both started to read Kondo’s global best-seller, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organising. They explained what they took away from her approach.

While Kondo’s brand of decluttering could provoke people to value and love the things the own more, it also could simply work in service of a throw-away economy. We unpacked Kondo’s take on reuse, recycling and sharing, trying to take the positive points but not saving any critique.

To close, we talked about a conversation between Kenyan and British repair professionals that took place at the V&A Museum in an event called “Dreaming Zero Waste”. Their workshops again had us questioning the notion of clutter, stuff, and how we live and work.

Links we mentioned

Telegraph piece quoting Sir David MacKay ‘Stop buying new appliances and cars and repair them instead’
Video: Airbnb Open: Tidying Consultant, Marie Kondo
Marie Kondo tells us to ditch joyless items but where are we sending them?
Our post Tiny houses, decluttering and late consumerist disorders
Wikipedia entry on Japanese feeling of “mottainai”
“Dreaming Zero Waste”

[Feature image “Web Summit 2015 – Dublin, Ireland” by Flickr user Websummit is licensed under CC BY 2.0]

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Restart Radio: guitars, cloud kill switches and bots Apr 13, 2016

Ben Skidmore, long-time Restarter and professional guitar repairer, joined us to talk about how he fell in love with guitars and learned how to repair them. We talked about how musicians often learn to repair, hack and modify their instruments. We speculated that musicians are creative repairers and modifiers of their instruments because their craft involves creativity.

Then we talked about a much-discussed tech story, involving the disabling of smart-home devices made by Revolv, a company bought by Google. Revolv devices will become “bricks” on 15th May, when the cloud-based servers they require will be shut down. It is a cautionary tale.

Lastly, we talked about bots – and both the infamous Microsoft chatbot, that was turned into a fascist over night, and a “female” PA bot that Ugo was forced to interact with last week.

Links we mentioned

[Feature image “ES-333 on Bench (2)” by Flickr user RoadsideGuitars is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

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Restart Radio: Community spaces, gadgets for (April) fools Apr 07, 2016

We talked about the pressure on libraries, community centres and pub function rooms. Across London, these places are getting the squeeze, either from local authorities or developers, who are treating them as income-generating assets above all else. In a rare rant, we lament that the spaces we need to run our radically open community repair events are under assault.

Our pop-up Restart Parties are only as sustainable as the venues we depend on. The only places that we feel are secure and thriving are membership spaces, like churches and workshops.

Is this the kind of city we want to live in? We must value, maintain, use, and invest in community spaces in order to save them.

We then talked about a couple of gadgets – some were legitimate April Fools pranks (like iFixit’s “Smother Bag”) and other ones, while seemingly pranks, were really not… like the $700 internet-connected juicer and the prototype of a fork to shock the tongue into simulating a salty taste.

Then to prove that we do not dismiss new technology out of hand, we talked about Ugo’s new Pebble watch.

Links we mentioned

Friends of Carnegie Library “Carnegie Occupation“
Sir Richard Steel pub owners fight protection status for upper floors
iFixit’s “Smother Bag” and video
Report on the electric fork prototype
CSM “Would you pay $700 for a juice machine“

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Restart Radio: carbon emissions, robotic recycling and older PCs Mar 30, 2016

We talked this week about a company that is often on the tip of our tongues, like it or not. For variety’s sake (or perhaps with Mr. Robot as inspiration), we’ve decided to call this company “Peach”. Peach sits on a mountain of off-shore cash, makes compelling but expensive products, and hosts these very produced “events” for media, investors and consumers a couple of times a year.

In the latest Peach Event, the company made numerous claims about its environmental credentials, including a questionable claim that it is “carbon neutral” in China, and then unveiled an R&D project – a recycling robot.

As ever, we have our valid critiques. And to close, we discussed a very pointed critique of Peach elitism, following disparaging remarks it made about its more affordable competition. (Apologies for our botched attempt to playback these remarks, you can find video of them below, at 45:51.)

Links we mentioned

The Apple Event March 2016
The footprint of those iPhones and The global footprint of mobiles
Reuters: Apple’s robot rips apart iPhones for recycling
Neowin: How Apple is clueless to income disparity and the environmental impact of ditching older PCs
Grayd00r, alternative firmware for older the iPad 1G

[Feature image “Stage is set…” by Flickr user Mike Deerkoski is licensed under CC BY 2.0]

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Restart Podcast Ep 9: “Emotionally durable design” Mar 24, 2016

In this episode, podcaster Dave Pickering talks to Professor Jonathan Chapman (University of Brighton), a designer who has helped many other designers change the way they conceive of quality and good design.

Chapman’s idea of “emotionally durable design” goes beyond actual physical durability and asks what keeps us attached to things, or alternatively, feel perfectly justified in throwing them away. Designers looking for clues about how to embed “sustainability” into their products need not only focus on technical aspects related to longevity, but they can explore ways to help objects improve with age, or adapt with age.

In this episode, Chapman suggests that things – and more importantly acquiring new things – fills a gaping whole in our primal human psyche. The only danger is, this feeling of satisfaction or relief is only temporary.

Dave complements the Chapman interview with chats to Restart Party goers about what makes certain items more appealing, either to use forever, or even to adopt and give a second life.

[feature image by Bethan Laura Wood used on a Creative Commons license]

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Restart Radio: Opto Noise, making music with lasers and e-waste Mar 16, 2016

We had the pleasure of interviewing Faraz Sayed, long time Restarter, maker and now music maker with a group called Opto Noise. Through the London Hackspace Sonic Hackers, Faraz connected with Stan Lewry and a handful of people who wanted to make music with lasers, spinning discs and photovoltaic cells.

Spurred on by an invite to perform at Music Tech Fest in Sweden, they built a working instrument in late 2014, and have performed at Tate Modern and Café Oto since.

The project uses power supplies scavenged from long-dead PC towers, and new brushless motors like those used in quadcopters. To perform, musicians shine laser pointers through the spinning discs, and the light hits the PV cells and is then translated into sound.

We talked about play, creativity and where (re)making meets music.

To close out the episode we talked about the much-heralded end of “Moore’s Law”, which predicted that processor performance in computers would improve at a fast rate. We discussed the implications of a plateauing of performance in computers and gadgets.

Links we mentioned

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Restart Radio: Europe, your toaster and your mobile Mar 09, 2016

Our work has been affected by Europe from day one. We are very concerned about the potential effects of a Brexit. If you disagree with us, great. Please comment below. If you need more information, great. Go get it!

As we’re not experts, we thought we would look for some help to frame things. And instead of some boring white paper, we thought we would start with great material from our favourite green podcast Sustainababble. We borrow clips from their Europe episode, featuring an interview with Friends of the Earth campaigner Samuel Lowe.

What do nature and peat bogs have to do with your toaster? We explain how, in relation to both, working together makes sense. In real terms, we discuss the role of a common market: the universal mobile charger, the prospects of “eco-design” and the importance of the WEEE Directive in regulating e-waste recycling in Europe.

Now, most proponents of a Brexit would say we should remain part of the common market, like a Norway. And this would imply that everything we’ve mentioned about consumer information, regulation and recycling would have to remain in place here. But are there any guarantees? How long will all of this take, and can tricks be played? What if we do not join a common market?

And if we do become part of a common market, after a Brexit, we’ll have much less influence over the rules and regulations as British activists and consumers.

Links we mentioned

Sustainababble #42: Europe
Guardian: EU’s ban on inefficient toasters delayed to avoid pro-Brexit press attack
EC: One mobile charger for all campaign
EC: Circular Economy Package Q&A (on Eco-design)
Our blog post: Why Europe fails to recycle e-waste and some solutions
Norway’s implementation of the WEEE Directive
Recycling rates of EU member states (from CWIT-UNU report)

Extras!

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Restart Radio: Documentary photography of abandoned e-stuff Mar 02, 2016

We interviewed photographer Greg Jones about his charming photography project called “Still Works” to document the abandoned electronics and electricals in his south London neighbourhood.

Over the course of a couple of years, Greg showed how his neighbours appeared to have carefully placed VCRs, microwaves, monitors, white goods outside their homes. He wonders whether most people wanted others to take them away for reuse. And he photographed notes left by some neighbours indicating just this.

Greg believes that people still believe in the “real value” of e-stuff, in spite of the fact that we are pushed to perceive everything in terms of “relative value”.

He shot this collection using an analog SLR dating from 1978.

Then we discussed a couple of very popular articles in the Guardian about long-lasting appliances and consumption, and Janet’s visit to New York where she met with the Fixers Collective.

Greg Jones’ Still Works
Guardian What do you mean we need a new cooker? We only got it in 1963
Guardian My fridge is 60 years old – appliances that just go on and on
Guardian UK consumes far less than a decade ago – ‘peak stuff’ or something else?
The Verge Meet the Fixers Collective: the geeks who are fixing iPhones for free

[Feature image by Greg Jones]

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Restart Podcast Ep 8: Tools, new and old Feb 23, 2016

In this episode, we talk tools – how do we actually get into electrical appliances or miniaturised electronic gadgets, many of which are designed to keep us out?

Podcaster Dave Pickering accompanies a couple of repairs at the Abbey Community Centre in Kilburn, including a mobile repair and vacuum repair.

To get insight into the bigger picture, Dave interviews repair guru Kyle Wiens, founder of iFixit, a company that is fast becoming a living “repair manual for everything”. iFixit supplies specialist repair tools, a task which takes them frequently to China and always into the innards of the latest electronics.

We learn that while tools can be very specialist and ever-changing like screwdriver bits, but they can also be quite simple, like an old, cut-up credit card.

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Restart Radio: Beyond petitions and boycotts – influencing companies Feb 17, 2016

We interviewed our friend Fidi, who helped spark a repair revolution in Hackney in her free time, and during the work day is helping change the way we engage with companies and corporations with her job at ShareAction.

Fidi is one of the founders of the Hackney Fixers, a collective of activists from Sustainable Hackney and her group Friends of the Earth Hackney and Tower Hamlets. They started running Restart Parties a couple of years ago, and have taken them to the next level, by incorporating other kinds of repair.

We interviewed Fidi about what shareholder activism actually is, how to speak the language of investors, and how we are all increasingly investors through our pensions. While few of London’s FTSE 100 companies manufacture electronics, many feed into electronics supply chains (mining and retail).

After defending workers and promoting renewables in the UK among companies registered here, the real challenge will be promoting global change, benefitting people across the world affected by the massive footprint of large companies.

Links

Hackney Fixers
Write up of our Sewing Machine Skillshare
ShareAction
ShareAction’s Justpay campaign on the living wage
ShareAction’s RE100 campaign on renewables

[Feature image “FTSE 100 list” by Flickr user eepaul is licensed under CC BY 2.0]

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Restart Radio: Makers and fixers, “Error 53” iPhone scandal Feb 10, 2016

We invited our friend Andrew, researcher, founder of Mini-maker Faire Brighton and co-organiser of Maker Assembly, among other things, to talk about the links between makers and fixers. Restarter Dave Lukes joined.

Andrew talked about making and making do, how for centuries before, we’ve perceived our material and physical environment as malleable and changeable.

With a new wave of digital making, new spaces and new forms of diffusing and sharing of making practice are emerging. These new makerspaces allow for people to socialise and learn as amateurs, unlike workshops of the past which may have been more restricted domains.

We talked about the potential for reuse and upcycling within the maker community and makerspaces.

And to close, we discussed the Guardian article that sent shockwaves this weekend, documenting the failure of numerous iPhone 6 devices with an “Error 53”. When a home button breaks or an iPhone 6 is serviced by an independent repairer, then undergoes an iOS update, this error literally disables the whole device.

For reference, in order of our discussion:

[Feature image borrowed from Nesta]

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Restart Radio: Getting hands-on with solar Feb 03, 2016

We invited our friend Max, from Demand Energy Equality, to talk about their inspiring solar workshops. In these day-long events, beginners with very little technical background learn about how photovoltaic cells work. They get a refresher in circuits and electricity, then they make a functional personal solar charger out of PV off-cuts.

It’s a way of bringing renewable energy closer to people, raising important questions and promoting energy literacy. How can we be more involved in meeting energy needs locally? How do we use electricity, can we use it more wisely?

Before we chatted with Max, Ugo shared a tip about giving away unused electronics leads and cables. Then Janet talked about an Android mobile we saw at a Restart Party, meant to “include” older customers. We questioned how inclusive Android can be.

And to close, we discussed reports of a material in development called “Mesoglue” that could replace hot soldering, both in repair and manufacture.

For reference, in order of our discussion:

Donate cables and leads to Emmaus
Demand Energy Equality
Will This Metallic Glue Kill Soldering? (Motherboard)
Article by Northeastern University about Mesoglue research

[Feature images courtesy of Demand Energy Equality]

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Restart Radio: tracing minerals, and “peak stuff” Jan 21, 2016

We started with some common tech challenges: Janet discussed her anxiety with – and issues with – an Apple OS X upgrade. Ugo talked about how hard it can be to source good spare parts in the “wild” Android ecosystem.

Then we discussed our incipient collaboration with Amnesty, Global Witness and Wikirate, which are working to rate companies on their sourcing of minerals. We also talked about an Amnesty report that came out this week on abuses in the supply chain for electronics, specifically, in artisanal cobalt mines in Katanga province, DRC. You can read more about both.

And we couldn’t help but talk about the IKEA executive who caught headlines when he said that in the West, we may have reached “peak stuff” in households.

For reference, in order of our discussion:

Our post on tracing minerals and ethical gadgets
Wikirate
Good Electronics
Amnesty Report on cobalt and human rights in DRC
Global cobalt reserves and production
How cobalt is used in electronics (PDF)
Guardian coverage of the “peak stuff” comment
Audio of IKEA chief of sustainability from Guardian Sustainable Business (starts around 1:11:00)

[Feature image “Capacitors!” by Flickr user MightyOhm is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

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Restart Radio: Spare parts, consumer hype and a pre-emptive petition Jan 14, 2016

We talked with long-time Restarter Dave Lukes about a couple of appliance repairs attempted in Brixton, at our first Restart Party of 2016. The success of both hinged on the ability to find affordable spare parts. In the case of a vacuum, this was not possible. In the case of a dehumidifier, we were actually able to find a replacement circuit board.

Then we did a sort-of debrief from the Consumer Electronics Show, a yearly monster of an event in Vegas, where manufacturers demo and introduce their shiny shiny products. There really was not too much to talk about, but we managed to have a laugh about the self-driving drone-car, smart belts, and a new turntable.

To close things out, we talked about a rumour that the iPhone 7 will have a new headphone jack, ditching the long-standing 3.5mm jack we all know and love. We talked about the technical, environmental and social implications, and then discussed the significance of a spontaneous online petition protesting this rumour to Apple, already signed by nearly 250,000 people.

For reference, in order of our discussion:

Two Brixton repair businesses: The Spin Doctor and AGT Social
Wired: Panasonic’s Reborn Turntable… and Gizmodo: The Holiday’s Most Popular Home Audio Gadget was a Cheap Turntable
Lifehacker The CES Trends that Will Matter in 2016
Sum Of Us Petition “Apple is ditching the standard headphone jack to screw consumers and the planet“

[Feature image “134/365+1 Jacks” by Flickr user Wikidave is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

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Restart Podcast Ep 7: The past, present and future of gadget ownership Jan 11, 2016

We’ve heard a lot recently about how young people are not as interested in owning things. Polls show they are less interested in cars, driving, and less interest in owning stuff.

In this episode, Dave Pickering, our documentary podcaster, talked with Restart Party participants about different models for ownership and finance of gadgets, such as rental and leasing. There is a not-too-remote history of radio and TV rental here in the UK.

Would people really be interested in a return to product-as-service? Can we finance and use gadgets differently in future? From a user perspective, the answers are not entirely straight-forward.

And the economics and business models are not either. So we interviewed some industry insiders: UK policy advisers WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme), Dutch indie manufacturer Fairphone, and London repair business Lovefone.

We can conclude that models for use and ownership will probably vary quite dramatically for different kinds of consumer electronics and appliances.

[Featured image “Radio Rentals (1955)” by Flickr user Bradford Timeline is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0]

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Restart Radio: Firefox OS for phones is over and the Bolivian WALL-E Dec 20, 2015

Apologies for the slightly incomplete audio file, brilliantly “fixed” by Dave Pickering.

This was our last show for 2015 on Resonance 104.4 FM. We had Restarter Ten and our podcaster Dave in the studio, sharing some of their thoughts on the most exciting repairs they witnessed during the year: a team effort to repair a TV capacitor topped the bill for Ten, while Dave shared his memory of the proud and passionate owner of an old radio. We took the opportunity to celebrate Resonance’s debut on DAB in London, significantly increasing the station’s reach in the London region.

We then discussed three news stories from the last week: the implications of the unfortunate end of Mozilla’s effort to create an alternative operating system for smartphones; extended warranties for gadgets, and whether they’re worth it; and finally, an uplifting story to end the year: a wonderful replica of our favourite robot, WALL-E, created by 17-year old Bolivian self-taught inventor Esteban Quispe.

For background reading (and watching), in order of our discussion:

Please subscribe, send us your comments, tips, and share!

We loved producing Restart Radio in 2015 and we look forward to many more shows in the new year. If you like our critical take on the tech news, please consider supporting our yearly fundraiser – we are still just over 30% of our fundraising goal.

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Restart Radio: top 5 good news stories of 2015 Dec 09, 2015

After talking about a surprisingly smooth laptop screen repair, and a failed “life hack” involving a keyboard and a dishwasher, we discussed our top good news stories of the year.

As with all good news, there is often a “boo” to add to the initial “yay!”

5. Apple is quietly investing in mobile repair and reuse (Yay!) Apple has never sold refurbished iPhones in first world markets, unlike all of their other devices. And we’ve noticed they have become more repairable, partly to help Apple build a business model for in-store repairs and reuse. However access to parts is becoming a serious issue and there are fears Apple is restricting supply to indie repairers. And we know the move towards repair is simply to sell more to secondary and tertiary markets, and they are even attempting to speed up the upgrade cycle in the US. (Boo!) So this is a case in point about “circular economy” – if we close all of the loops (and broaden them to new markets), but accelerate global manufacture without cleaning it up, we have a problem!

4. As a part of the “Circular Economy Package” the Ecodesign Directive will be broadened, beyond “energy efficiency” ratings – which apply mostly to white goods, heating and cooling equipment and big displays – to look at resource efficiency, which is more relevant for the majority of devices we see at Restart Parties. Meaning, ecodesign will focus on longevity of devices where the majority of resources are consumed in manufacture. One concrete action they will look at is, starting with displays, to focus on safer disassembly (for reuse and recycling but we think repair fits in here too). Other commentators expected much more in this package to promote reuse, but we had, er, very low expectations.

3. Europe exports less toxic e-waste than we thought. A CWIT (Countering WEEE Illegal Trade) study shows that only an estimated 4% of e-waste is illegally exported from Europe, to places like Ghana. What this does mean is that the problem is really right here in Europe, where we are still landfilling up to 1/3 of e-waste, much of it working and/or repairable.

2. Fairphone introduced the first modular mobile on the market. Hugely disruptive both for being so repairable by design, but also for the low prices of spare parts. Is this the future of repair? Simple repairs most people could perform themselves? Is this a model for further disruption in hardware? Community-based, values-based projects, that lead by example?

1. There is a real appetite for Restarting in educators and students. We’re currently working with a school in New York, and talking to two in London. We’re talking to two amazing groups: Mouse and Biomodd London about education collaborations. We think there is real scope to activate Restart groups in schools, promoting hands-on skills, but not just Arduinos and Raspberry Pis, but also actually hacking, troubleshooting and fixing the devices we use to learn. Watch this space!

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Restart Podcast Ep 6: where do our gadgets go when they die? Nov 27, 2015

In this episode, we explore what happens to all of our e-stuff when we throw it away. Our favourite waste campaign slogan is quite simple: There is no “away”. So where is this “away”?

And this is what podcaster Dave Pickering finds out on a roadtrip to Kent, to a recycling plant in Sittingbourne. At Sweeep Kuusakoski, the largest plant of its kind in southern England, Dave sees what happens to our small gadgets and appliances when they are taken to be recycled. The process of recouping raw materials out of electronics is quite high tech at Sweeep – and some of what is recouped is quite valuable. To the backdrop of much crunching, and other industrial sounds, Sweep Commercial Director Justin Greenaway explains the ins and outs of the business. Some products, especially screens, present special problems due to the potentially toxic materials used in their production.

We were not surprised to learn, Sweeep’s greatest challenge is actually simply getting more people to recycle, especially smaller electronics and electricals. As we’ve written about in past, recycling rates are abysmally low in Europe, including the UK, and much of it comes down to awareness and accessibility of recycling facilities.

Sue Brown of Havering Council explains the role of the council in collecting waste, and making it easier for residents, and how everything post-collection is handled by large waste contractors.

As Dave concludes, there is not only a question of awareness about the importance of recycling electronics, there is a serious question about access to recycling services, when car-less apartment dwellers, disabled people, and cyclists are forced to make trips to far-away recycling hubs designed for cars.

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Restart Radio: Adele and Autechre Special… music, media and audio equipment Nov 24, 2015

In this show we talked about Adele’s flip phone, and why it caused such an uproar. “Retro” electronics seem to be all the rage, but why? And what of these “new” retro-styled DAB radios, are they really winning us over?

Music and sound seem to be one area where we continue to have an emotional bond to the electronics we listen with, but also the physical media itself, even in a digital age. We talked about the enduring appeal of not just vinyl, but CDs and radios – many of which continue to be designed by UK brands – and how Bluetooth can breathe new life into stereo components older than we are.

We ended our show talking about the enduring appeal of electronic music, sharing our experience at a recent Autechre show and our admiration for musician David Vorhaus AKA White Noise. We concluded that musicians are often natural Restarters.

Links and background

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Restart Radio: The Big Fix and the art of glitches Nov 19, 2015

In this show, we discussed with Restarter Dave Lukes the “Big Fix“, Hackney’s festival of repair taking place this Saturday, featuring a Restart Party, as well as bike, furniture, fabric repair workshops and much more.

We then spoke to Restarter Orsetta Hosquet about a US laptop refurbisher turned artist, inspired by the glitches produced by faulty video cards he was substituting. This made us think about perfection and appreciating faults, when possible. But this story also made us think about the patience that the repetitive work of commercial repairers requires, which is why Restarters love the variety of gadgets they get a chance to try repairing at our events.

We then talked about the wave of consumerist events leading us to the end of the year, the infamous Black Friday and more. More retailers this year are announcing their special deals weeks in advance, even giving details on why it’s better to shop in the middle of the night. We were inspired by news that Alibaba broke all records of online shopping earlier this month during China’s “Singles Day”. Orsetta shared her experience working in a large store during sales: people’s anxiety and often buying products they don’t really need, just because they’re on sale.

For background reading, in order of our discussion:

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Restart Radio: breaking the mobile mould Nov 11, 2015

In this show, we discussed the true meaning of “digital inclusion” – what does it mean to have an online device, when we can perceive helplessly that it “rots” before our eyes?

With Restarter Dave Lukes, we asked if statistics about device ownership, numbers of people online, really mean anything if we are becoming mere passive receivers of information and playing catch-up to access key online-only services.

Then we talked about how mobile users in Europe and North America have few choices in terms of form-factor, and even fewer in what relates to the underlying software powering smartphones.

As a counterpoint, we talked about the mobile ecosystem of Shenzen, China, as featured by this great MIT Media Lab video.

Lastly we mentioned the “back-alley upgrades” happening to iPhones in China, and what this all means.

For background reading, in order of our discussion:

André Lemos’ essay: The Dogmas of Digital Inclusion
MIT Media Lab’s Knotty Objects
WSJ on Chinese iPhone upgrades
Photos of Chinese iPhone upgrades

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Restart Radio: from changing plugs to changing the world Nov 04, 2015

On our show this week, we had a special guest, Alison from The Goodlife Centre, a workshop and learning centre not far from Resonance FM’s London studios in Borough.

Through her thriving business, Alison has helped thousands of Londoners learn about DIY, electricals, plumbing and making/repairing furniture. She tells the story of some “dollhouse DIY” as a child and how her love of materials and production took her in fascinating professional directions.

We also talked about why people no longer have DIY skills – why nobody can change a plug – and what motivates them to go to The Goodlife Centre to learn.

We then discussed two stories: a feature about a Minnesota appliance salesman-turned-indie-repairman and a comparison of open source, grassroots innovation to prevent climate change as opposed to the massive climate talks scheduled for December in Paris.

For background reading, in order of our discussion:

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Restart Radio: from repairing bikes to smartphones Oct 31, 2015

On our show this week, we talked about connections between Restarters and repairing bikes.

We spoke to longtime Restarter Ten, who shared the story of his legendary repair of a vintage coffee grinder in Herne Hill market. Ten was joined in the studio by another of our committed volunteers, Dave. They share a passion for fixing and for bicycles, so we discussed the difference between repairing bikes, which use standard, interchangeable spare parts and laptops and mobiles, which rarely do.

While recalling two smartphone battery replacements at the recent Restart Party at Remakery in Brixton, for the first time we had an unannounced guest appearance from Joseph, Resonance 104.4 FM‘s sound engineer, sharing his experience taking apart his mobile phone to change its battery.

We then discussed two bits of news: a (now fixed) bug in the iOS Facebook app, quickly draining the battery of iPhones, and increasing doubts about over the viability of the current system for recycling electronics, as well as alternatives to reuse parts of no-longer repairable devices.

For background reading, in order of our discussion:

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Restart Radio: where are the women fixers? Oct 21, 2015

On our show this week, we talked about women in fixing, with women outnumbering men 2-to-1 for the first time at Resonance 104.4 FM studios.

For a special Ada Lovelace Day discussion, we talked to Orsetta, a long time Restarter talked to us about how she got started tinkering and fixing. She was one of only two girls in her secondary school carpentry course, helping to break barriers.

But first, we discussed two techie tidbits: first, the news that Apple finally relented and announced it would help frustrated owners of delaminated Macbook Pro screens. Second, prompted by a call from help from our community, we discussed the pros and cons of wireless charging as a work-around for a common failure in mobiles.

For background reading, in order of our discussion:

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Restart Podcast Ep 5: How repair economies can thrive (again) Oct 16, 2015

In this episode, we discuss commercial repair of gadgets, electronics and home appliances. Most of us can testify, it feels less and less of a possibility these days.

Podcaster Dave Pickering interviews designer and writer John Thackara about how this may be a “temporary blip”. He paints a picture of what local, (re)emergent economies of repair might look like. Thackara’s new book How To Thrive in the Next Economy (Thames & Hudson, 2015) shaped our questions and provides clues for readers.

With input from professional repairers and participants at Restart Parties, we discussed transparency, trust, cost, access to information, informal solutions, as well as the need for repair to be embedded locally in retail. Repeatedly, people told us they would like to learn from the experience of paying for a repair, and not be treated like a number.

Lastly, Ugo mentions the symbiosis between community repair events like Restart Parties and commercial repairs.

The bottom line is, a better relationship with our stuff, often mediated by talented repairers, will improve our quality of life.

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Restart Radio: “Volkswagening” by electronics manufacturers? Oct 08, 2015

Finally Ugo and Janet, co-founders of The Restart Project, sat down to chat this week.

We discussed two repairs many people can relate to: a laptop taken for dead, and then a classic Apple laptop charger, where the cable had frayed.

Then we discussed the allegations that Samsung has been cheating on energy efficiency testing. We talked about transparency, trust for manufacturers, and exactly when energy efficiency concerns are still worth obsessing over.

We also discussed “brand Germany”, discussing a BBC profile of Miele, a manufacturer of long-lasting appliances, and other quality German brands that sold their image to other less quality manufacturers.

Mentioned during the show:

Samsung is accused of Volkswagening its TVs to oversell their energy efficiency (Quartz)
Coolproducts
Background from our podcast on The “shadow impacts” of our gadgets
Can you charge double and still keep your customers coming back? (BBC profile of Miele) – comments on our Facebook post

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Restart Radio: new mobiles we can open, repair Sep 29, 2015

Today were back at Resonance 104.4 FM for our weekly live radio show. We actually did talk about some shiny shiny gadgets – two very game-changing projects in the area of modular, repairable design.

But first, Restarter Dave Lukes told us about a printer repair, well a deep clean, and what it is like to repair at a “Give and Take” event.

Then we discussed the new Fairphone 2 (which will go into production soon, yay) and Runcible, example of “heirloom electronics” still in development.

We noted that both of these projects have largely been backed by investment from outside of Silicon Valley, and questioned why even giants like Google were so slow to innovate in similar ways.

For background reading:

In the context of both of these projects, we discussed a post from The Next Web called “The phone wars are over and smartphones are finally just boring slabs”.

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[Feature image courtesy of Fairphone]

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Restart Radio: shopping malls and six-pack of tablets Sep 24, 2015

On Tuesday we were back at Resonance 104.4 FM for our weekly live radio show. Our show is about gadgets but it’s definitely different. We’re not going talk about the shiny shiny new things we want you to buy.

We focus on the value of the things we already have and how to value them longer.

This week, we talked with Restarter Dave Lukes about a wind-up radio he recently repaired and about the importance of running Restart Parties in shopping malls, and to podcaster Dave Pickering about people’s motivation to keep repairing.

Then we discussed two stories:

Amazon is selling a six-pack of tablets and it’s not sure why (Slashgear)
Long-term software support for Fairphone 1 (Fairphone’s website)

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[Featured image by Romazur is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0]

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Restart Radio: the upgrade cycle and recycling Sep 16, 2015

Yesterday we recorded our first-ever live radio show at Resonance FM. Our show is about gadgets but it’s definitely different. We’re not going talk about the shiny shiny new things we want you to buy.

We’ll focus on the value of the things we already have and how to value them longer.

We will be broadcast live every Tuesday at 1:30pm here in London on Resonance 104.4 FM and always online. Every fourth broadcast will be our themed podcast, with special interviews, produced by Dave Pickering.

We’ll follow this format: a discussion of the challenges we overcome in maintaining the gadgets we use everyday and helping people to do the same, and then a discussion of the latest technology news, through a uniquely “Restart” lens.

This week, we talked with Restarter Ben Skidmore about some tough mobile and tablet repairs, and to podcaster Dave Pickering about maintenance of his laptop, which he depends on for his livelihood.

Then we discussed three stories:

Apple Wants to Sell You an iPhone for $32 a month (WSJ)
Bigger, Better, Fore, More? Breaking the taboo of production (Discard Studies blog)
Only one third of EU’s e-waste recycled properly (and The Restart Project’s reaction)

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Restart Podcast Ep 4: Climate change and the “shadow impacts” of our gadgets Sep 01, 2015

We rarely consider all of the energy, emissions, minerals and water that are wrapped up in the physical objects in our hands and in our houses. Before a smartphone reaches us, most of the greenhouse gas emissions it will ever make have already been made.

Podcaster Dave Pickering finds at Restart Party that people struggle to express the impacts of our gadgets in terms that relate to climate change. Then Dave speaks with Craig Jones, an expert in the area of carbon footprinting – modelling environmental impacts of everything from buildings to smartphones.

We are releasing this episode in advance of the launch of our “Fixometer” project – an ongoing, quantitative exploration of the positive impact we make by simply using the gadgets we have for longer.

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Restart Podcast Ep 3: Searching for the roots of grassroots innovation Jun 29, 2015

In this episode, we go in search of some of the historical roots of grassroots innovation in design, tech and resource management at a local level in the UK (and beyond).

Podcaster Dave Pickering interviews Adrian Smith, University of Sussex Professor of Technology and Society, who can help us put our fixing into broader perspective. We learn that community repair is embedded in a larger context of bottom-up responses to economic, ecological and technological change.

Smith describes the Lucas Plan of the late 1970s (check out this documentary for more) and early tech networks formed in London (early 1980s), as well as how recycling started not as a top-down government or corporate sector, but as a community-driven attempt to prevent waste and promote resource efficiency.

We hear from participants at a Restart Party at the Abbey Community Centre in Kilburn (hosted by Transition Kensal to Kilburn) how Restart Parties link with other current community initiatives and reconnect us to objects of personal historical significance.

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Restart Podcast Ep 2: Interview with a product designer May 07, 2015

Our second episode, again produced by podcaster Dave Pickering, features a number of frustrating gadgets including an inkjet printer given as a wedding present.

Product designer Barry Waddilove helps explain to Dave why these gadgets frustrate: what goes into their production, how many different pressures and forces determine design decisions, and how new thinking in design could truly transform our relationship with electronics. Barry is adamant that a waste-nothing “circular economy” can be one where careful resource use (and re-use) will lead to future economic growth.

Barry is a Schmidt-MacArthur Fellow for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and a researcher at Cranfield University. He has designed and developed many consumer electronic products you might find around the home. This is an inside take on gadget design. Follow Barry on Twitter, listen in and comment!

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Introducing the Restart Podcast Apr 08, 2015

This is the first in a series produced by brilliant podcaster Dave Pickering, based on real fixes, heartbreaks and wisdom shared at our community repair events – called Restart Parties – here in London.

This podcast is for you if you would like to fix your relationship with electronics. Let’s rethink, restart.

We plan to go into real depth about good and bad design, obstacles to repair of electronics, emotional aspects of ownership, environmentally irresponsible business models, and the “end of life” of our gadgets.

You may ask “why audio”?

The podcasting ethic and restarting seem a good fit.

Podcasts are a quite considered medium. While audio is anything but new, yet it has found a new relevance, a new indie incarnation online. In an age of over-stimulation, there is something to savour in sound.

Thanks to Dave for this – and to our Restarters – and we look forward to more. And please send us your feedback!

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The art of what could be

So what’s stopping us?

From stewardship to sealed devices

Bending the rules of the manual

Unique and familiar challenges

Collaboration is key

The social conundrums of buying less

What do people actually think of waste prevention?

Upping the profile of repair

What has been the progress on Right to Repair?

Gains in Europe

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Our vision for 2024

The Repair Café Mobile takes Wallonia

Reaching rural communities with the Fixy Bus

Repair for Everyone

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The older, the better

Why not give it a go?

The reality of recycling

What happens to our exported waste?

Repairing to reduce waste

From novel to normal

What’s happening in reuse?

A decade of repair with Brighton Repair Café

Give and take with Tech-Takeback

Back to her roots

How craftspeople are using repair

Letting go of guilt in order to move forward

Practising ‘defiant hope’

Meet the businesses

The state of repair today

Keeping repair alive

The money question

Reaching out

What about you?

Integrating repair

The ‘learning by doing’ ethos

Fixing Things for the Future

Starting fixers young

Building in circularity

The new Camden Fixing Factory

Learning from each other

What does Repair Everywhere mean to you?

Repair’s impact on cost of living

Looking to the future of repair policy

Dare to repair

Maintenance: a very good place to start

A journey through repair

Conservation at home and abroad

Shaping the future of Restart

Back to the beginning

How has fixing impacted you?

Feeling proud of the past, and looking to the future

Why did the Mobile Phone Museum start?

Resistant and repairable rainbow phones

Is actual innovation still happening?

Consumers are calling for repair

Self-repair on the horizon

What are Fixing Factories?

What’s next?

What we lose with ‘centralised’ repair

Weaponising vs. reforming the law

A non-partisan issue

Recognising the need for digital access

Understanding their community

Fixing Factories and the future

How repair respects the earth

Using partnership to change policy

The future of RCANZ

A decade of London Bike Kitchen

**Unique and familiar challenges**