The 404 Media Podcast The End of Windows 10 Support Is an Environmental Disaster (With Nathan Proctor)
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Oct 13, 2025 Nathan Proctor, the right to repair campaign director at US PIRG, sheds light on the looming environmental crisis as Windows 10 support ends. He reveals how this creates a massive influx of e-waste, putting millions of devices at risk of being discarded. Nathan discusses the broader implications of right to repair legislation and critiques planned obsolescence by manufacturers. Delving into issues like medical device repairs and the environmental impact of device replacement, he emphasizes the need for sustainable practices and consumer choice.
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Right To Repair Is Multi-Front Advocacy
- Right to repair progressed through state-by-state action, lawsuits, and FTC engagement to challenge manufacturer monopolies.
- Advocates frame repair as consumer agency against planned obsolescence and corporate control.
Planned Obsolescence Is A Profit Strategy
- Planned obsolescence is a systemic economic feature driven by profit motives, not consumer need.
- Right to repair challenges this by restoring agency and reducing unnecessary consumption.
Dash Buttons Found In E-Waste Pile
- Jason describes finding a massive crate of Amazon Dash Buttons at an e-waste center to illustrate disposable electronics.
- He highlights that many tiny devices are effectively non-recyclable and become hazardous waste.