Big Tech Hooked Us on Buying New Stuff. There’s a Way to Fix That.

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Gadgets break. But for years, Big Tech’s business model has created barriers to consumers who want to repair those broken devices, incentivizing them to just buy new ones instead. Since 2003, Kyle Wiens has been fighting against that eternal treadmill as the founder and C.E.O. of iFixit, a site that allows people to write and share user manuals for gadgets, toys, appliances and more. Kyle’s work has made him a leader of the Right to Repair movement — a political cause that’s recently seen its first victory in New York State with the passage of a new bill, the Digital Fair Repair Act. It will require companies to make repairing electronics easier for consumers and independent repair shops, without needing to rely on manufacturers. And it’s bound to have major impacts — from strengthening local economies, reducing the scourge of e-waste and empowering consumers.

(A full transcript of the episode will be available midday on the Times website.)

Thoughts? Email us at [email protected]. Follow Lulu Garcia-Navarro on Twitter: @lourdesgnavarro

“First Person” was produced this week by Wyatt Orme, with help from Derek Arthur. It was edited by Anabel Bacon and Kaari Pitkin. Mixing by Carole Sabouraud and Isaac Jones. Original music by Isaac Jones, Sonia Herrero, Pat McCusker and Carole Sabouraud. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker, Michelle Harris and Kate Sinclair. The rest of the “First Person” team includes Stephanie Joyce, Olivia Natt, Sophia Alvarez Boyd, Rhiannon Corby and Jillian Weinberger. Special thanks to Kristina Samulewski, Shannon Busta, Allison Benedikt, Annie-Rose Strasser and Katie Kingsbury.