Bio

(awaiting bio)

Interview Goals

• Shopping habits and pandemic impact
• Understand the vocabulary around planned obsolescence
• Repair vs. replace preferences
• Product history and repairability
• Subscriptions vs. second-hand products
• Brand practices around product longevity

Interview Summary

• V discussed how their shopping habits changed during the pandemic, including a shift to more online shopping and missing in-person interactions.
• V described their use of various subscription services, including Substack, Patreon, co-working spaces, and coaching programs, noting both the benefits and challenges of these models.
• V expressed frustration with the concept of planned obsolescence, seeing it as a money-grabbing tactic by companies rather than a focus on product longevity.
• V shared a preference for repairing products over replacing them when possible, though the effort required can sometimes be a barrier.
• V found value in both the history/provenance of a product as well as information about its repairability, though the former tends to fade in importance once the item is owned.
• V did not have a strong preference for obtaining certain products through subscriptions versus second-hand/thrifted options, seeing pros and cons to both approaches.
• V emphasized the importance of brands supporting product longevity and repairability, as this aligns with their personal values and purchasing decisions