Young people are ‘lost generation’ who can no longer fix gadgets, warns professor
Danielle George, Professor of Radio Frequency Engineering, at the University of Manchester, is giving this year’s Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
Young people in Britain have become a lost generation who can no longer mend gadgets and appliances because they have grown up in a disposable world, the professor giving this year’s Royal Institution Christmas lectures has warned.
Danielle George, Professor of Radio Frequency Engineering, at the University of Manchester, claims that the under 40s expect everything to ‘just work’ and have no idea what to do when things go wrong.
Unlike previous generations who would ‘make do and mend’ now young people will just chuck out their faulty appliances and buy new ones.
But Prof George claims that many broken or outdated gadgets could be fixed or repurposed with only a brief knowledge of engineering and electronics.
This year’s Royal Institution Christmas Lectures are entitled ‘Sparks will fly: How to hack your home’ she is hoping it will inspire people to think what else they can do with common household objects.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11298927/Young-people-are-lost-generation-who-can-no-longer-fix-gadgets-warns-professor.html
Even are Village High school had programs for shop, auto repair, carpentry, and many other self help and career employment opportunities.
Yes, it time to reevaluate many of those possible alternate career possibilities.
What plans do our readers suggest for their children and can the career counselors do a better job ?
This a shock but I do agree with you Dom.
It’s the result of inexpensive electronics that also becomes out-dated very quickly, so the incentive to repair is not there. Also, mom and dad do the replacing anyway.
Yes #3 your right but it would be smart to know how to nail a 2×4 or change a tire on your car.
The flat is probably mom’s car, anyway. They would simply call dad and have him come and deal with it. It’s not that they don’t know how, it’s that they just don’t feel like it.
And they would post a picture of dad changing the tire on Facebook.
Been there done that. If you wants something done right you have to do it yourself.
These children are the offspring of the clueless inconsiderate “it’s all about me” generation.
Just curious #8 what age do you include as ” Children” ?
Do you have any kids #8?
So if these kids are the fault of the “clueless inconsiderate it’s all about me generation”, then who raised that generation? How far back do we go with the blame?
It’s very evident that the “me me” generation includes those in their 30’s and early 40’s.
These are your neighbors who could care less about how their actions impact others.
Whether they block the road in front of schools, failure to pick up dog poop, blow their leaves on others property, let their dogs bark all day, etc
It’s basic lack of consideration for others and it has become more evident lately with the new residents ( most of which are temporary residents-here for 10 years or so then back to nyc after trying to change everything that made this a desirable place to live)
Most gadgets are disposable. There are no parts to be had and it is easier to throw away than to fix.
Would you fix a toaster or buy a shiny new one for $20?
You are correct.
Sad waste that all this stuff goes into the landfill
But more important is the lack of innovation and invention. When we fix things we learn and devise new products.
Hamilton Beach Cool Wall 2-Slice Toaster, Chrome $14.96 at Walmart.