I'm sad that cars have become disposable. It seems no one buys a vehicle they intend to keep for ten years, and manufacturers have followed suit. We're surrounded by machines packed with electronics designed for a limited lifespan, where a single failed, non-repairable module can render the entire vehicle useless. We've accepted that a car's value is measured by the size of its infotainment screen rather than the integrity of its engineering. But I believe in a different philosophy—one where a machine is valued for its durability, its simplicity, and its ability to be maintained.

This isn't just a preference; it's a pragmatic worldview rooted in my experience as an engineer. My core belief, whether I'm looking at software or a transmission, is in an "anti-bloat" design. A system should do its job perfectly without unnecessary complexity.

Here in Africa, that theory is tested daily. Every quarter, I find myself needing 4L or 4H, and there is one vehicle that stands as a masterpiece of engineering for this environment: the Land Cruiser 80 Series. It's not about nostalgia; it's about purpose. It's a vehicle built with the understanding that it will face harsh conditions and will need to be repaired far from a dealership, often with basic tools. It has what it needs to do its job, and nothing more. That, to me, is the definition of good design.

This isn't about being stuck in the past. It's about recognizing that we're losing something important. We're trading the soul of the machine for a list of features. We're giving up the satisfaction of understanding and maintaining our own vehicles for the convenience of a disposable appliance. We should demand more from our technology, whether it has four wheels or a circuit board. We should demand things that are built to last.