Wandering Adventure Party

@jernej__s @falken @graydon @cstross
GM supplied them for my truck a good nine months after purchase, along with the seat warmer controller computer.
Gave me a discount for it at least.

@drwho @graydon @cstross

Yep... lots less room there than there used to be, and it crumples up pretty if you look at it sideways.

Better for safety, but not for repairs.

@cstross @graydon

The parts are bought by the OEMs as assemblies, and installed as assemblies. They aren't interested in fixing them as it's cheaper to use whole units that robots assemble.

No attempt to kill the aftermarket - the aftermarket is happy to sell whole wiper motors instead of almost zero profit bushings springs and brushes, and one part instead of 1000 per car.

Lots of things have changed, and may be anti consumer, not arguing that, but it's driven by costs and requirements.

@graydon @cstross again, wasn't the intention.

Modern headlights throw a lot more light than any old headlamp, and aerodynamic styling and mileage drives custom swept shapes that aren't standard

We used to replace bulbs often, now it's only when defective or damaged.

There was no conspiracy to kill the aftermarket

@graydon @cstross that's not fair - there was no attempt to kill aftermarket parts, the aftermarket is thriving.

A poor comparison

@badastro by definition aren't all stars exploding? Just some more spectacularly than others?