Maintain, Refurbish, Repair, Replace?

The exclusion of wisdom from economics, science and technology was something which we could perhaps get away with for a little while, as long as we were relatively unsuccessful; but now that we have become very successful, the problem of spiritual and moral truth moves into the central position. 

E.F. Schumacher

What's the best way to keep something vibrant, whether that is an idea, a business, a location, or a movement?

Generally speaking, we do a poor job at maintenance. It's easy, once we've built something to assume "job done" and reap the benefits. Consumerism has long given us a throwaway attitude to everything from fast fashion to businesses, and the High Streets they are located on. Much more exciting to open up a new shiny out of town temple to consumption.

We often refurbish not as strategy, but as a last minute attempt to stave off problems. We don't entertain or probe for the core problem, but rather deal with the surface issues. A rebrand, a new expensive, temporary CEO.

Then …