>Things don't have to be infinite money-spinners to deserve doing.
The point here is to optimise societal benefit of the production.
I like your ideas about repairability and such. One thing in the back of my mind here is the issue in the UK where we used to lead, somewhat, in nuclear power. We stopped building new power stations and lost the ability as a nation to do so. One would want not just the 30 year old washing machine to be manufacturable, but also for tech improvements to be added in over time. One would also want to extend the manufacture from washing machines to other goods in order to extend the societal benefit. If it can't sustain personnel, then that impacts societal benefit too; as well as impacting ability to attract talent. People being able to insert a replacement control board is different to the company making new control boards that include necessary modifications for changes in the power supply system or improvements to the motors, say.
The point here is to optimise societal benefit of the production.
I like your ideas about repairability and such. One thing in the back of my mind here is the issue in the UK where we used to lead, somewhat, in nuclear power. We stopped building new power stations and lost the ability as a nation to do so. One would want not just the 30 year old washing machine to be manufacturable, but also for tech improvements to be added in over time. One would also want to extend the manufacture from washing machines to other goods in order to extend the societal benefit. If it can't sustain personnel, then that impacts societal benefit too; as well as impacting ability to attract talent. People being able to insert a replacement control board is different to the company making new control boards that include necessary modifications for changes in the power supply system or improvements to the motors, say.
I appreciate your response, thanks.