it was my own great grandfather who got me so interested in the pride of your things and added pride in making the old TV, one he lived with for 20 years and then quit, suddenly power up again. there's no feeling in the world that can replace that pride--in fixing the oven which caught fire due to a bad cord, and then once again seeing the old indicator bulbs light up again after a new $10 cord, wire nuts, and a little solder! it's wonderful.
Sadly, living completely retro isn't feasible...some things i had to buy upgrades to...my computer for example. or my DVD changer. or any replacement VCR or Videocassettes and my 8-track tapes. but it doesn't mean they have to be new. not only does buying used from a flea market save money from going overseas (and helping boost our economy by keeping it here in the USA) but it saves landfill space and also the resources are saved from constructing a new appliance of the same type. it helps me to live a 'green' lifestyle to reuse, repair, reduce, and recycle even old things, since no garbage, or earth is harmed by tossing and buying new items.
There was a Captain Planet and the Planetees episode which taught us that overconsumption by buying everything new consumes earth's resources--appliances don't just churn out of thin air, they pollute with manufacturing and also the metals, components need to be melted down from earth's elements and then put together...
i don't remember the name of that episode but all i can say is 'GO, Planet!' with reusing and never tossing old things just because they're 'obsolete'; such a word doesn't exist in my vocabulary. also, the retro things were awesome in how they could do exactly what is done today with a lot less parts. it's just--neat...when i open up a flip clock i'm amazed in the simplicity of it while astounded in how much time was put into assembling each and every component, gear, rod, Motor winding....today's digital clocks are an overcomplicated abominiation that does the exact same thing! it's no improvement, just another form of display. i fail to ever see logic nor interest in anything brand new.
much less having it forced down people's throats as if diversity and freedom of choice means nothing anymore. how weak are the people when the government says that 'digital tv is superior' and forced that opinion on everyone? if it were 40 years ago the people would have stood up, shouted against such invasion of our freedoms...while today, people are in-assertive, and let the government walk all over them--so long as the US Gov is paying for it, why refuse? such a philosophy is working and that's scary...if the government gave us brand new electric vehicles for free (so long as we gave up our family cars) why would anyone say no? it's sick. twisted. and wrong.