Part 7/11:
This technological divide underscores a broader issue: food security and the sustainability of farming depend on the ability to repair and maintain equipment. As Shwarz states, hacking and fixing are part of the same realm—they are necessary to ensure the continued operation of vital equipment, which in turn affects food production.
Legislative Solutions and the Rights of Consumers
Gay Gordon-Byrne emphasizes that while tinkering with one's own device is legal—"it's legal to tinker with the software in your stuff"—the reality is complicated by manufacturer practices. Many companies include complex end-user license agreements that consumers cannot read or negotiate, effectively stripping users of their repair rights upon purchase.