you might enjoy matt crawford’s book: “shopclass as soulcraft: an inquiry into the value of work”. written by a phd economist who ditched his think-tank job to repair motorcycles, he dedicates a chapter to explore the dilemma you mention.

it’s true, one has to determine the worth of manual labor in the face of the economy of a disposable society, and as a shop owner, you have to determine what level of personal involvement–and at what cost–you want to have in the stochastic art of bike repair. ultimately, that’s something that has to be negotiated between the shop owner and the customer. on the one hand, as the eco-conscious bike mechanic, it’s rewarding to satisfy one’s own compulsive need to fix things that others may deem “throw-away”, but you also have to answer to the customer– since it’s the customer who pays your bills. a balance needs to be struck. it’s a real dilemma.

here’s something you may have seen, but:

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

the consumption chapter is particularly relevant here!

thanks again,
Carly