Making Objects Last, Julie Madon

- Publisher: Presses de Sciences Po
- Author: Julie Madon
- Original Publication Date: May 17, 2024
- Type: Monograph

For nearly five years, sociologist Julie Madon has focused on a particular characteristic of objects: their lifespan.

Armed with her tape recorder, interview guide, and camera, Julie Madon delved into the daily lives of a specific category of homo domesticus: the "longevity enthusiasts." These individuals, motivated by ecological conviction, family culture, a love for thrift shopping, or simply budget constraints, strive to make objects last. They revive forgotten maintenance and repair practices, embrace second-hand purchases and resale.

The study outlines their varied profiles and inventories the life events that made them aware of object preservation. It shows that longevity practices are far from linear, fluctuating according to current priorities and the obstacles encountered, such as lack of access to appropriate tools, delegitimization by their social circle, technical resistance of objects, and planned obsolescence by manufacturers.

A unique, lively, and sometimes humorous account, where participants candidly share their relationships with their domestic belongings, recount their small victories against commercial pressures, and testify to the efforts required for the art of reducing consumption in a world that continues to promote abundance while shifting environmental responsibility onto individuals.