The Case for Fixing Everything: Why Maintenance Matters Now
Opening Hook
Imagine a world where bridges collapse because no one bothered to replace a few worn bolts. Or cities plunged into darkness because aging power grids went unmaintained. This isn’t some doomsday scenario — it’s the daily reality we risk by ignoring the simple act of fixing what’s broken. Stewart Brand’s new book, Maintenance: Of Everything, Part One, shines a spotlight on an overlooked truth: fixing isn’t just repair, it’s civilization’s backbone.
—
Key Takeaways
- Maintenance is cultural, not technical — it reflects how societies value stability over novelty.
- Ignoring maintenance costs more than constant upkeep — infrastructure neglect leads to skyrocketing expenses.
- Fixing everything means adopting a mindset shift, recognizing repair as progress, not failure.
- New tech trends reveal growing appreciation for upgradability and longevity, from smartphones to software.
- You can start small: encourage repair over replacement at work and home to save money and resources.
—
The Full Story
Stewart Brand, an influential figure bridging counterculture and technology since the ’60s, takes on one of the most ignored subjects in his new work: maintenance. His argument is deceptively simple but profound — the act of fixing things is fundamental to keeping civilization running. And yet, modern society rarely celebrates maintenance; it’s often hidden behind the glamour of innovation.
Brand’s book encapsulates how the relentless pursuit of new gadgets and solutions overshadows the need to care for existing systems. This has real-world repercussions. The American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2022 report graded U.S. infrastructure at a dismal C-, with an estimated $2.6 trillion needed through 2029 just to bring roads, bridges, and water systems up to scratch (source). This colossal maintenance backlog threatens more than convenience — it’s a public safety issue.
What Brand hints at, but few discuss openly, is that this neglect is as much psychological as it is economic. The cultural fascination with novelty blinds us to the quiet work of upkeep. Maintenance isn’t failure; it’s resilience. Yet industries often punish it by favoring “planned obsolescence,” pushing consumers into a cycle of disposal and replacement that harms wallets and the planet.
This book enters a crucial conversation: To fix everything, we need to first fix how we think about fixing.
—
The Bigger Picture
The case for fixing everything aligns with a wider cultural shift pushing back against throwaway consumerism and fast innovation cycles. Over the past six months, we’ve seen significant signs:
1. Apple’s iPhone Self Service Repair initiative launched early 2024 enables users to fix their own phones with official parts, signaling a crack in the “replace, don’t repair” norm.
2. The EU’s Digital Product Passport regulations are rolling out, requiring detailed product histories to promote sustainability and repairability.
3. Circular economy initiatives by companies like IKEA and Patagonia show growing pressure to design products that last and can be repaired instead of discarded.
These developments are like realizing your car needs regular oil changes, not just a flashy new model every few years. Fixing everything isn’t just about repairs — it’s a system-wide rethink, an analogy to maintaining a garden rather than bulldozing it each season for something new. It’s about nurturing what already works, reducing waste, and extending value.
In the context of climate change and resource scarcity, this mindset is urgent. As McKinsey reported last year, adopting a circular approach to product life cycles could save up to 20-30% of raw material consumption globally (source). Fixing everything is a practical path to this goal, marrying ecological responsibility with economic sense.
—
Real-World Example
Take Sarah, who runs a small marketing agency in Seattle with 12 employees. Like many small businesses, she faces a constant battle with outdated tech. Until recently, Sarah’s team replaced laptops every two years because repairs seemed complicated and time-consuming.
Inspired by conversations around maintainability, Sarah decided to try repairing and upgrading instead. Last month, she sent two laptops to a local repair shop, replacing batteries and upgrading RAM instead of buying new machines. The result? They saved over $3,000 and extended device life by at least one year.
Beyond the numbers, this shift changed workplace culture. The team felt empowered, no longer at the mercy of fast obsolescence. They began documenting maintenance routines, sharing tips, and even volunteering for minor fixes. It’s a ripple effect, moving from reactive replacement to proactive care — a small but meaningful piece in the broader case for fixing everything.
—
The Controversy or Catch
Fixing everything sounds neat, but skeptics raise valid concerns. Critics argue that focusing heavily on maintenance could slow innovation or trap us in outdated technologies. What if repairing a system prevents adopting more efficient alternatives? Additionally, many repairs come with hidden costs — time, skills, and money — that aren’t feasible for everyone.
Moreover, industries built on selling new products resist maintenance-friendly practices. Planned obsolescence benefits manufacturers by driving repeat purchases — it’s lucrative. This has led to legislative battles, with “Right to Repair” laws facing fierce opposition from major tech companies.
There’s also a social equity angle. Who gets access to repair services or affordable maintenance? Without addressing these disparities, fixing everything could widen existing gaps rather than close them.
Finally, there’s the psychological hurdle Brand touches on — society’s obsession with newness is deeply entrenched. Changing this mindset isn’t quick or easy, and without cultural buy-in, maintenance risks remaining invisible labor.
—
What This Means For You
You don’t have to wait for politicians or corporations to change to start embracing fixing everything. Here are three ways to act this week:
1. Audit your possessions. Look around and identify three items you or your family could repair or upgrade instead of replacing.
2. Learn a repair skill. Check out local workshops, online tutorials, or repair cafes to build confidence and save money.
3. Advocate for maintenance-friendly policies. Contact local representatives supporting Right to Repair initiatives or sustainability measures.
Each step keeps money in your pocket and reduces environmental impact. It also helps reshape the culture Brand champions — one where fixing is a form of progress, not a sign of failure.
—
Our Take
Stewart Brand’s call for fixing everything is both timely and overdue. We agree: maintenance deserves a seat at the table alongside innovation. It may not excite headlines, but it builds the foundation for all the breakthroughs we rely on. However, embracing fixing everything means confronting uncomfortable truths about consumption, industry incentives, and cultural values. It’s not a quick fix but a deliberate choice. If we can make that shift, the dividends — in sustainability, economy, and resilience — will be profound.
—
Closing Question
What’s one common item in your life that you’ve replaced instead of fixed — and what would it take for you to change that habit?
—
You Might Also Enjoy
