Before becoming a software developer, I spent 9 years as an HVAC technician, 5 of which were as an installer. One responsibility would be retrofitting new equipment into peoples homes, removing their sometimes 60-80 year old furnace/boiler. When I would take out such old systems, I would always get the same questions from the homeowner, “So this is going to last me another 60 years right?” In my head I would always laugh but kindly reply, “You’ll be lucky if you get 15 out of this one.”, which would be met with a look of disappointment and awe. Even the most expensive (and somewhat dangerous) appliances in your home are made as cheap as possible. The days you were taking out a 1920s boiler were some of the worst days. They were installed to stay forever.
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