Today, on my morning commute to college, one of the ears of my headphones started acting up. The right ear started flickering and sure enough, a few minutes later, died out totally. Playing with the connection could save it occasionally, but by this stage it’s completely buggered. I really like my headphones, they’re good at keeping noise out and the sound quality is fairly decent. They’re kind like this model, except older and without all that design jazz. So, as you can imagine, I was slightly annoyed. I immediately started thinking about ordering a new pair on the internet and getting them delivered. I got to the library and was updating my Facebook status to share the news, when I felt a little twinge: Guilt. I thought to myself, “What’ll everyone think of me if I just buy a new pair of headphones, without even trying to fix these ones?”. So, I changed my mind. I decided to give repairing them a go first, to see if I can get them working.

Interesting, that, isn’t it? Exposing my potential consumer habits to the opinions, values and, most importantly, feedback of my peers changed my intention. I wonder how this can be used to affect what people do with their electrical waste, but also (and more importantly) what people do when their stuff breaks? I’ve noticed (and I’m sure I’m guilty of it myself) a move away from people getting their stuff (clothes, pots, pans, electrical goods) fixed and towards just buying new stuff. Now, given that people are more careful with their money at the moment (or at least are in theory) maybe people consider repair as an option more frequently now. I think it’s a great idea. I, for one, need to stop relying on new items and other people and start fixing stuff for myself. I guess this is where things like Project Sugru come in. Their concept is don’t buy new stuff, hack your old stuff!. Smart gang. They’re on Twitter too (which, incidentally, is how I remembered that they exist and have included them here. Very smart) and on Facebook.

[edit: Take a look at the video on this page for an idea of how it works]

Alright, anyway, that’s my idea. Group pressure influencing people into fixing stuff, instead of buying new things. Think that it’s ridiculous that someone should waste money buying something new when a quick job will fix what they already have? Tell them! You might just change their mind.

As an aside, I’ve started a Tumblr account for things longer than a Tweet and shorter than a blog post. That’s how this post started (but then it got longer).

Happy World AIDS Day and if you have an opinion, share it as a comment.