Communist!

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We live in a society that values material possession and individualism, forcing anyone wishing to build or repair anything to go out and purchase his very own hammer, screwdriver, reciprocating saw... I have often talked with friends about the need for a workshop Co-op. A place where there would be all the tools that anyone would ever need for any kind of projects, there to be used by anyone. Seriously, if you are not a fulltime handyman, how many times a month do you REALLY need to use that wood planer? Was it worth that 300$ price tag if you only use it once or twice a year?

I had to travel halfway around the world, but I have finally found what I have been searching for a LONG time. CERES, a landfill turned organic playground has one of those coop tool sheds for bicycles! If you’re only aiming on fixing brakes and gears, you can manage to get along with only a screw driver and a couple of Allen keys, but go anywhere deeper, and bikes are notorious for needing highly specialized tools that are used for only one specific part and nowhere else.

At CERES, they have recognized the need for such a workplace. You pay a ridiculously low yearly membership of 10$ and you get unlimited access to all the tools, as long as they remain onsite. Not only that, but you also gain access to a wealth of knowledge in the form of volunteers who are present at the workshop every weekend and are particularly keen on sharing their passion. To a point where the main rule over there is that volunteers will never fix anything. They will teach anyone willing how to do it themselves though. It is an incredible place to learn.

They also have a HUGE yard full of spare parts coming from bikes donated in various states of disarray. Need a new shifter? Just dive into that pile over there. Your wheel rim is bent beyond repair? Look up! The room is a giant dome made out of bike wheels! Just reach up and grab one! If you want, you can event start up from scratch and construct your very own bicycle for the ridiculous price of about 50$. You just need the patience to build it up yourself, but with such incredible help around, you’d be crazy to pass up the chance to learn how.

We are in dire need for more places like this, in all the fields of repairs. Every city should have a coop mechanic shop for car repair needs; every neighbourhood needs a local tool shed with 2 or 3 lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and ladders. If we centralized the equipment, we wouldn’t need to double, triple all those tools and we wouldn’t need to rely on overpaid specialists who charge you 100$ for an oil change, just because they have access to tools and you don’t. You would get more involved in the community, share knowledge and get more proactive when it comes to maintaining and repairing the few things you do own as a group.

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