I grew up in an age where if something broke you generally had to fix it yourself as nobody had any spare money to pay for someone else to do it. Looking around these days, certainly among my own kids and their friends it seemed people are less practical these days and shy away from even pretty basic jobs. So here's a little test of 5 typical jobs that might crop up and need doing. Do you take on the task yourself or get a pro to do it ?
Front pads are down to the metal on the car, need a new set fitted ?
Wind has ripped the felt of the shed roof, needs re-felting before it rains again ?
Daughter has smashed the screen on her iPad, needs a new one fitted ?
Bathroom tap drips and needs a new washer ?
Living room double glazed window has fogged, needs a new unit fitted ?
www.2020studios.co.uk
Comments
The problem would be being arsed to do them in the first place.
I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.
New car. New house. New daughter.
Job done.
"Nobody is really researching robot jokes"
no
how much of it is us being less practical and not the manufacturers or government putting the frighteners on people havign a go - after all wire a plug in your house and it might be reflected in the buyers survey.. you talk about the window pane unit - so it's not a case of replacing with a similar material it's replacing a module... which is going to cost marginally less than a new window or some such.
I know I can get the glass man do make one, deliver it & fit it for not much more than he'd charge me for just the unit (and anyway, I think the fogging adds a certain rustic charm).
I think if there was a problem I could fix I would but I get more reluctant the more stuff involves measurement and such
For instance the local blacksmith could probably fettle an original Land Rover, but look under the bonnet of a modern Merc and it pretty much needs a diagnostic tool and computing power.
Or a valve amp as opposed to a solid state example. The valve amp had discreet identifiable components whereas the SS amp just has PCBs which are maybe replacable, but not so easy to understand the why's and wherefores.
Also, when I try a spot of DIY I tend to find nuts and bolts have seized up, or the inside of my washing machine bears no resemblance to the one on YouTube. Easier to pay someone who knows what they're doing.