The Radical Value of Maintenance We Refuse to Acknowledge

Modern society privileges innovation over maintenance, leading to neglected infrastructure and corporate business models that restrict consumer repair—an unsustainable dynamic that affects everything from household appliances to public systems. Stewart Brand's new book and the academic Maintainers network are making the case that we must fundamentally revalue maintenance work and recognize it as essential to civilization. This conversation matters because the right-to-repair movement is gaining momentum, signaling a broader cultural reckoning with how we design, use, and discard products.