To repair or not to repair that is the question

If an article is attractive, or useful, or inexpensive, they'll stop making it tomorrow; if it's all three, they stopped making it yesterday.  ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

I am often asked by friends and associates about their cameras or VCR's or other electric equipment that is not working properly or at all.  "What should I do?" asked one friend when a camcorder didn't display out an image of the flip out screen anymore.  It would still record and she could use the eyepiece, but like me, she found that image too small to be useful. 
Back in the dark days of analogue video equipment, camcorders and all electronics were big, expensive and made to repair.  With the advent of digital electronics, sizes became smaller, units became much cheaper and the ability to repair fell from the realm of reality.  It is simple economics.  If a camcorder costs $400.00 to purchase and 3 years later is stops working properly, most places that will repair it have what is known as a bench charge.  This is the cost for looking at the camcorder and evaluating the problem.  It is not the cost for repairing it.  Most times this will run between $80 and $150, remember this is only to evaluate the problem and whether you choose to fix it or not, you'll pay this amount. 
In the past 7 years, I have never known of anyone who had a consumer piece of electronic equipment repaired out of warranty, it was never feasible.  Should I now start my rant on the evils of a disposable society of conspicuous consumption, should I rail on the sorrow of overflowing landfills and a unsustainable model of  progress.......no. 
These cheaper, smaller electronics are responsible for YouTube and every event that is happening around the world being eye witnessed for everyone to view.  Natural disasters, political upheaval, groin shots.  Its all there 24/7 and we're better for it.  
As to sustainability, there are many outlets for recycling now.  Companies have discovered the precious metals used to manufacture these components can be recovered.  Baby steps, but at some point 100% of the manufacturing process as well as post use recycling will be possible.  Till then we'll keep watching those groin shots and may get some real educational content to boot.