"Seriously, bud. We're not talking buggy whips here." 

No, Bud is the other guy. I think maybe we are misunderstanding each other but hey, we're trying to communicate with electrons. Each example I gave illustrated the tradeoff between the new and the old. The fact is that most people would probably say that the benefits of the new outweigh the ability to repair the old - especially since DIY was never what the majority of people did anyway. From tubes to transistors to socketed ICs to surface mount each one was smaller, more reliable cheaper and yes, harder to repair/replace.

Nothing evil or sinister about that, it's just the way technology progresses. You can still buy some tube equipment if you want. Would you really want a motherboard crammed with socketed ICs just so you could replace one if it went out - even if it was bigger, more power hungry and less reliable? The only thing bad is the inherent waste - I saw a docu on the toxic hellholes in the far east where old Dells go to die. That requires changes in environmental policy though, not a return to 1950's electronic technology.

Ironically, fuel injection is actually becoming a moot point. Stick around another decade or so and the entire engine and powertrain is going to be one big black electric computer controlled box with no user servicible parts. If it goes out, replace it. Don't despair though, you'll still be able to use an environmentally friendly push mower to cut that lawn :-)

"Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H. L. Mencken