In the face of increasing consumer habits geared towards replacing instead of repairing technology, small businesses and creatives are finding ways to breathe new life into old devices, such as refurbished laptops running on repaired components from e-waste, creating unique mods for old games, or using outdated technological infrastructure for new purposes.
This trend is seen worldwide from Kyrgyzstan to Kansas, New Delhi, Bermuda, and other places where creatives are hacking GoPros or using TikTok to breathe new life into old literary genres.
This reframes olds gadgets, instruments, and concepts as not disposable but as a source of endless creativity and opportunity.
The trend suggests a shift in how people are approaching the increasing consumerism of the tech industry.