The latest from tech visionary Stewart Brand prompts us to consider maintenance, but does his approach cut deep enough?

Brand’s new book Maintenance: Of Everything aims to elevate repair and upkeep as essential practices. Yet, despite its grand ambitions, the work feels more introspective than revolutionary.

As Brand delves into the personal act of maintaining things—from motorcycles to monuments—his vision seems rooted in individual fulfillment rather than societal improvement. This contrasts sharply with the collective movements that have shaped modern society, from civil rights to environmentalism.

The book brings to mind Brand’s own journey—a man who has always been about tools and self-reliance but now sees maintenance as a way to connect past achievements with present challenges. His life arc suggests a shift towards recognizing the importance of keeping things running, even if it means facing corrosion and decay head-on.