Why don’t companies want you to repair your stuff? | Aaron Perzanowski

This TED Business podcast episode discusses the practice of companies deliberately making it difficult to repair their products, a phenomenon often referred to as planned obsolescence. The episode features a TED-Ed lesson explaining how manufacturers use techniques like parts pairing and limited access to repair information to discourage independent repairs, leading to increased e-waste. The host then reflects on the implications of planned obsolescence, highlighting the difference between technological obsolescence and deliberately engineered obsolescence. The podcast advocates for increased consumer awareness and action to demand more repairable products and transparent repair options. Examples include the use of unique serial numbers on parts to limit functionality after replacement and the efforts of repair cafes to promote a culture of repair.