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Fixation: How to Have Stuff without Breaking the Planet
Our massive, global system of consumption is broken. Our individual relationship with our stuff is broken. In each of our homes, some stuff is broken. And the strain of rampant consumerism and manufacturing is breaking our planet. We need big, systemic changes, from public policy to global economic systems. But we don’t need to wait for them.
Since founding Fixup, a pop-up repair shop that brought her coverage in The New York Times , Salon , New York Public Radio , and more, Sandra Goldmark has become a leader in the movement to demand better “stuff.” She doesn’t just want to help us clear clutter—she aims to move us away from throwaway culture, to teach us to reuse and repurpose more thoughtfully, and to urge companies to produce better stuff. Although her goal is ambitious, the solution to getting there is surprisingly simple and involves all of have good stuff, not too much, mostly reclaimed, care for it, and pass it on.
Fixation charts the path to the next frontier in the health, wellness, and environmental movements—learning how to value stewardship over waste. We can choose quality items designed for a long lifecycle, commit to repairing them when they break, and shift our perspective on reuse and “preowned” goods. Together, we can demand that companies get on board. Goldmark shares examples of forward-thinking companies that are thriving by conducting their businesses sustainably and responsibly.
Passionate, wise, and practical, Fixation offers us a new understanding of stuff by building a value chain where good design, reuse, and repair are the status quo.
Since founding Fixup, a pop-up repair shop that brought her coverage in The New York Times , Salon , New York Public Radio , and more, Sandra Goldmark has become a leader in the movement to demand better “stuff.” She doesn’t just want to help us clear clutter—she aims to move us away from throwaway culture, to teach us to reuse and repurpose more thoughtfully, and to urge companies to produce better stuff. Although her goal is ambitious, the solution to getting there is surprisingly simple and involves all of have good stuff, not too much, mostly reclaimed, care for it, and pass it on.
Fixation charts the path to the next frontier in the health, wellness, and environmental movements—learning how to value stewardship over waste. We can choose quality items designed for a long lifecycle, commit to repairing them when they break, and shift our perspective on reuse and “preowned” goods. Together, we can demand that companies get on board. Goldmark shares examples of forward-thinking companies that are thriving by conducting their businesses sustainably and responsibly.
Passionate, wise, and practical, Fixation offers us a new understanding of stuff by building a value chain where good design, reuse, and repair are the status quo.
216 pages, Hardcover
Published September 22, 2020
17 people are currently reading
494 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 9, 2024
This read was incredibly impactful. The biggest thing that has stuck with me since reading this is the notes on donating to second hand stores. The author really hit home how donating alone doesn't "close the loop" unless you are also buying second hand. Also the fact that a lot of the things we donate end up in landfills anyways (I believe the statistic is only 10% of things from second hand stores actually get purchased?!)...so the emphasis on REDUCING what we buy is so essential.
You hear the word "capitalism" so much and so often that you forget what it even means. This book was a POTENT reminder of the downright bone chilling impacts of it. The statistics on Apple was WILD, astounding, and disgusting. Consumerism and green washing at its finest.
The one thing that took me out of the book a bit was the biblical talk towards the end chapters that I didn't feel like was really connected to the thesis of the book as a whole. I ended up skimming this section because I was not interested.
Overall, this was a fantastic deep dive into the impact that all of our stuff and rampant consumerism has on the planet. It felt like a bucket of ice cold water poured over my head. I need to read books like this more often.
You hear the word "capitalism" so much and so often that you forget what it even means. This book was a POTENT reminder of the downright bone chilling impacts of it. The statistics on Apple was WILD, astounding, and disgusting. Consumerism and green washing at its finest.
The one thing that took me out of the book a bit was the biblical talk towards the end chapters that I didn't feel like was really connected to the thesis of the book as a whole. I ended up skimming this section because I was not interested.
Overall, this was a fantastic deep dive into the impact that all of our stuff and rampant consumerism has on the planet. It felt like a bucket of ice cold water poured over my head. I need to read books like this more often.
January 6, 2021
Have good stuff (not too much), mostly reclaimed. Care for it. Pass it on.
As I was reading this book, my husband and I were attempting to repair a plastic "happy birthday" badge with flashing LEDs that no longer lit up. The cost of new batteries plus our time was wildly worth more than the purchase value of the badge, but that wasn't the point: we wanted to keep something going that we already had, especially since it has good memories of birthdays past. In the end, despite our best efforts, we couldn't get it to work--but we tried. And I'd like to think that Goldmark would respect our attempt as part of her quest to repair, rather than knee-jerk toss out, our things.
In this excellent book, Goldmark explores the relationship between "stuff" and the broader world: environmental issues, labor issues, the need for regulations, and global trade. A lot of what she said wasn't necessarily new for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed Goldmark's writing and outlook on the world. (The chapter on stuff and religion, though, felt out of place with the rest of the narrative.) Both individual actions and systemic change are needed for long-term difference in how we treat our stuff. I think some of Goldmark's ideas are bit ambitious in the face of global capitalism, but I appreciate her dedication and optimism for the future.
In the meantime, I've got a broken battery-operated sweater shaver to disassemble and fix!
(Quasi-related internet rabbit hole I went down, thanks to a relatively brief mention in this book: artist Mierle Laderman Ukeles's work and exhibition at the Queens Museum on the devalued importance of maintenance and care, mostly done by women and people of color.)
h/t: probably a recommendation from The Non-Consumer Advocate's Facebook group
As I was reading this book, my husband and I were attempting to repair a plastic "happy birthday" badge with flashing LEDs that no longer lit up. The cost of new batteries plus our time was wildly worth more than the purchase value of the badge, but that wasn't the point: we wanted to keep something going that we already had, especially since it has good memories of birthdays past. In the end, despite our best efforts, we couldn't get it to work--but we tried. And I'd like to think that Goldmark would respect our attempt as part of her quest to repair, rather than knee-jerk toss out, our things.
In this excellent book, Goldmark explores the relationship between "stuff" and the broader world: environmental issues, labor issues, the need for regulations, and global trade. A lot of what she said wasn't necessarily new for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed Goldmark's writing and outlook on the world. (The chapter on stuff and religion, though, felt out of place with the rest of the narrative.) Both individual actions and systemic change are needed for long-term difference in how we treat our stuff. I think some of Goldmark's ideas are bit ambitious in the face of global capitalism, but I appreciate her dedication and optimism for the future.
In the meantime, I've got a broken battery-operated sweater shaver to disassemble and fix!
(Quasi-related internet rabbit hole I went down, thanks to a relatively brief mention in this book: artist Mierle Laderman Ukeles's work and exhibition at the Queens Museum on the devalued importance of maintenance and care, mostly done by women and people of color.)
h/t: probably a recommendation from The Non-Consumer Advocate's Facebook group
June 4, 2021
This is a wonderful read and it inspires you to move away from our throwaway culture. Sandra adapts a simple motto from the food movement that has profound implications: Have good stuff, not too much (mostly reclaimed). Care for it. Pass it on.
I had an in-depth conversation with Sandra on my podcast Inside Ideas where we talk about the book, systemic change, circular economy, and more. You find episode 92 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK7mg...
Or check out these links:
https://www.innovatorsmag.com/rethink...
https://www.innovatorsmag.com/inside-...
https://medium.com/inside-ideas/sandr...
This is a book from Island Press and they have many great books in this genre:
https://islandpress.org/
I had an in-depth conversation with Sandra on my podcast Inside Ideas where we talk about the book, systemic change, circular economy, and more. You find episode 92 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK7mg...
Or check out these links:
https://www.innovatorsmag.com/rethink...
https://www.innovatorsmag.com/inside-...
https://medium.com/inside-ideas/sandr...
This is a book from Island Press and they have many great books in this genre:
https://islandpress.org/
January 7, 2021
I'm already someone who really wants to reduce my material waste and impact on the planet. But this book helped me deepen, change, and reflect on my relationship with my "stuff." The lessons that the author learned from fixing things are really relevant to everyone alive today.
You should note though, that this is NOT a "how-to" book- if you want to learn how to actually fix your own stuff, this is not the book for you.
You should note though, that this is NOT a "how-to" book- if you want to learn how to actually fix your own stuff, this is not the book for you.
March 1, 2021
A thoughtful and poignant narrative about an impressive woman who dares to rethink our societal relationship with "stuff."
April 16, 2022
Adapting Michael Pollan's food axiom to fit the fixer movement, Sandra Goldmark encourages readers to "Have Good Stuff (not too much). Mostly Reclaimed. Care For It. Pass it on." A wide ranging examination of the history of how we've gotten to the point of flat pack, fast fashion, and plastic or proprietary parts and the steps that could be taken to move away from it. Suggestions for individuals range from buying quality products to start with or salvage unwanted or resale items from sites like Craigslist or thrift stores, and Goldmark implies that much of the overhaul of the system needs to come from commerce itself, finding ways companies can monetize mending as opposed to acquired obsolescence driving their profits but also better enabling things to be resold and redistributed to get the items to where they are desired not simply discarded. Speaking as someone who was quoted the cost of a new stove to fix the one sitting in my kitchen with half a burner not working properly, it feels like that's the only sustainable way to move towards a more sustainable market system that doesn't damage the environment. More aspirational and philosophical then I anticipated, Goldmark devotes an entire chapter along with portions of others to analyze the philosophy of how we got here both mentally and societally. Including references to Marie Kondo, the TV show Hoarders, the Industrial Revolution, and all the way back to John Locke and "early Christian and medieval religious beliefs" that "places the human as the only meaningful center, the only subject that really matters" and "assigning them an inalienable right to own their own objects." (138-139)
Doubtful that anyone not already questioning the pace of consumerism will pick it up, it does reinforce the percolating idea that something needs to change. She glibly addresses in the last chapter the argument that individual actions won't be enough to bring about change by asserting that small choices will add up to a larger shift in movement. While I'm all for buying second hand items (besides my sofa, loveseat, and mattresses, every other piece of furniture I own is second hand), that doesn't fix the problem of long standing quality as a characteristic becoming eclipsed by the cheap, fast, and planned obsolescence package the current market supports. I was hopeful that Goldmark, a founder of Fixup, a collection of pop-ups in New York City that promote repairing instead of replacing, would include on either her website or the book more information on how to expand the movement. Also of relevance to the issue would have been a discussion of the maker movement's impact on efforts to develop the craftsmanship and self-sufficiency ideals she alludes to in the book, but neither of these were included.
Doubtful that anyone not already questioning the pace of consumerism will pick it up, it does reinforce the percolating idea that something needs to change. She glibly addresses in the last chapter the argument that individual actions won't be enough to bring about change by asserting that small choices will add up to a larger shift in movement. While I'm all for buying second hand items (besides my sofa, loveseat, and mattresses, every other piece of furniture I own is second hand), that doesn't fix the problem of long standing quality as a characteristic becoming eclipsed by the cheap, fast, and planned obsolescence package the current market supports. I was hopeful that Goldmark, a founder of Fixup, a collection of pop-ups in New York City that promote repairing instead of replacing, would include on either her website or the book more information on how to expand the movement. Also of relevance to the issue would have been a discussion of the maker movement's impact on efforts to develop the craftsmanship and self-sufficiency ideals she alludes to in the book, but neither of these were included.
December 6, 2020
Upon reviewing the parts of the book that I underlined, I realized that I got much more out of this book than just an enjoyable story. Goldmark does a wonderful job helping her reader see the origins of our relationship with stuff, how that messed up relationship is harming our world, and what we can do to help move things in the right direction. I put this book on the shelf feeling inspired to do more reclaiming (e.g. buy used from Patagonia and REI) and caring for what I have (e.g. mending things I formerly would have been quick to throw away).
Original review: An enjoyable story of a set designer’s attempt to help shift a part of her world toward a circular economy through repair clinics in NY. A light and easy introduction to what she learned about waste and how to move in a better direction.
Original review: An enjoyable story of a set designer’s attempt to help shift a part of her world toward a circular economy through repair clinics in NY. A light and easy introduction to what she learned about waste and how to move in a better direction.
August 16, 2024
A timely book that helps to spread hope for the realization of a more circular economy.
Without being too dense with facts and statistics, Sandra Goldmark does an excellent job telling her own personal story of running a pop-up repair shop while at the same time informing readers of the global attitude shift toward consumption that has happened in the past 50-100 years. The author covers difficult topics such as religious beliefs and their impacts on consumption habits in different cultures, more common sense topics like companies want to sell more stuff so they can make more money, and offers solutions to the problem of “stuff” that the world is faced with today.
The main statement of this book I found hard to disagree with and seems to be a good general guideline for how to exit the highway of overconsumption and pave a new road for our future: “Have good stuff (not too much), mostly reclaimed. Care for it. Pass it on.”
Without being too dense with facts and statistics, Sandra Goldmark does an excellent job telling her own personal story of running a pop-up repair shop while at the same time informing readers of the global attitude shift toward consumption that has happened in the past 50-100 years. The author covers difficult topics such as religious beliefs and their impacts on consumption habits in different cultures, more common sense topics like companies want to sell more stuff so they can make more money, and offers solutions to the problem of “stuff” that the world is faced with today.
The main statement of this book I found hard to disagree with and seems to be a good general guideline for how to exit the highway of overconsumption and pave a new road for our future: “Have good stuff (not too much), mostly reclaimed. Care for it. Pass it on.”
October 19, 2020
This book was Stevo's Business Book of the Week for the week of 10/18, as selected by Stevo's Book Reviews on the Internet and Stevo's Novel Ideas. Offers us a new understanding of stuff by building a value chain where good design, reuse, and repair are the status quo.
Find more Business Books of the week on my Goodreads Listopia page at https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9..., and find many more recommended books on my Amazon Influencer page at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevo4747 or by searching for me on Google.
Find more Business Books of the week on my Goodreads Listopia page at https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9..., and find many more recommended books on my Amazon Influencer page at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevo4747 or by searching for me on Google.
December 7, 2020
Why do we have so much stuff? Why is it so hard to find good stuff? And when our cheap stuff breaks, why is it so hard to fix it?
These questions are at the heart of our stories in 21st century industrialized nations, and these question are at the heart of Sandra Goldmark’s new book Fixation: How to Have Stuff Without Breaking the Planet.
A copy of Fixation is one of the best gifts you could give or receive this season.
Full review at:
https://anoutsidechance.com/2020/12/0...
These questions are at the heart of our stories in 21st century industrialized nations, and these question are at the heart of Sandra Goldmark’s new book Fixation: How to Have Stuff Without Breaking the Planet.
A copy of Fixation is one of the best gifts you could give or receive this season.
Full review at:
https://anoutsidechance.com/2020/12/0...
August 15, 2022
About once a year I read a book that shakes off acquired “what’s the point” environmental apathy and spurs me back to more committed action. Fixation was this year’s volume. It made me feel better about my mending pile and prompted me to shop Craigslist and FB Marketplace for some things I needed. (Wanted.)
There’s some theater world-related filler that got a little tedious for me (the parallels were made abundantly clear!), but I skimmed through those to get to the meat.
There’s some theater world-related filler that got a little tedious for me (the parallels were made abundantly clear!), but I skimmed through those to get to the meat.
January 16, 2023
Definitely food for thought. I love that the author did research by actually working with a group (that she set up) to repair items for 6 years. It is a complex problem and explained in a well thought out, easy to understand way. I do have my opinions on these problems, but I feel like this book is a good place to start in understanding what our choices are and how we can act to be part of the solution and where we as consumers are limited in our options.
Want to read
September 22, 2020-----
9/22/20—From a r/zerowaste post mentioning the book's publication. Author is a set designer and apparently these folks have lots of experience and a knack for reusing and fixing stuff. I think I'd like this mindset, so I'm curious.
9/22/20—From a r/zerowaste post mentioning the book's publication. Author is a set designer and apparently these folks have lots of experience and a knack for reusing and fixing stuff. I think I'd like this mindset, so I'm curious.
November 1, 2024
A well-written and extremely important book and an important addition to the critiques of our consumerist society because of the heartfelt and confiding tone, which seeks to understand rather than condemn. I got the ebook because chapter 5 ended so abruptly and I hoped it would be fixed, but it wasn't. The book still had a lot to offer.
May 18, 2021
If you've spent anytime thinking about consumption and our obsession with stuff, there's nothing particularly revelatory about this book. And yet, it is well written and engaging and does examine the issue from all angles. Exploring human meaning and attachment and our psychological need for stuff and the economic and practical logistics of shipping and manufacturing. I enjoyed the read.
Read
August 10, 2024Wishes for all that care about the material world, its beauty and repair. Thought provoking to the point of careful consideration when it comes to all you possess. One of the most valuable books that I've read in years.
June 9, 2021
I enjoyed this rumination on stuff. I don't think it provides a road map per say but it does give you food for thought and the avenues to pursue to avoid the pitfalls of over consumption.
December 9, 2021
Dramatically changed my habit of getting “stuff.” Educational and entertaining. A must read that will also save you money!
January 6, 2022
Enjoyed learning more about the mending of still useful objects and now I know who to direct my anger about flat packed furniture at (looking at you Ikea!)
Read
April 24, 2022Amazing
November 9, 2022
This is an important book and I recommend it.
July 15, 2024
important shit!!
March 9, 2025
Nothing groundbreaking but a reaffirmation of the relationship we should have with our possessions. Buy less, buy used, repair more.
December 29, 2020
I am the choir and was thoroughly preached to! Highly relevant and invigorating to read this during a move and has provided even more resources to buy used and DIY fix things.
May 1, 2021
Goldmark pulled together a very readable book that weaves personal stories from her Fix-It shop, with the facts behind certain businesses and how they contribute to waste and it's impact on the earth. She shares, theology and history on the making of stuff, and overlays it all with a way to think about everything we accumulate, the value it brings, and the waste it creates. And she gives encouragement and steps we can all take to reduce our stuff. You will look at everything you own with a new eye, and will pause before hitting the BUY button on your laptop. Highly recommend
Want to read
August 12, 2024Oh my, the universe is speaking! Fixation charts the path to the next frontier in the health, wellness, and environmental movements—learning how to value stewardship over waste. We can choose quality items designed for a long lifecycle, commit to repairing them when they break, and shift our perspective on reuse and “preowned” goods. Together, we can demand that companies get on board. Goldmark shares examples of forward-thinking companies that are thriving by conducting their businesses sustainably and responsibly.
March 29, 2023
Unfortunately not too captivating. Reduce reuse recycle. Try to make the world a better place by being aware of what you purchase and what you do with it and where it goes. Push for reformation in terms of fast fashion, plastic use, and greed.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews