Stewart Brand on the Art of Maintenance

Legendary thinker Stewart Brand has turned his attention to a subject that powers the modern world yet remains largely invisible: maintenance. In a new essay published on his press site, Brand presents a compelling argument that the upkeep of complex systems—from digital infrastructure to global institutions—is not merely a technical chore, but a profound cultural and philosophical challenge.

Brand, known for his work on the Whole Earth Catalog and long-term thinking, frames maintenance as the essential counterbalance to innovation. While society celebrates the new, the repaired, the updated, and the sustained often goes unremarked. This essay, the first in a series, begins to pull back the curtain on this critical, ongoing process.

The essay, titled "Maintenance: Of Everything, Part One," serves as an initial exploration into a vast topic. Brand positions maintenance not as a singular activity, but as a multifaceted discipline that varies dramatically across different fields. The core premise is that our ability to maintain complex systems is a key determinant of their longevity and utility.

By examining the subject through a broad lens, Brand invites readers to consider the hidden labor and intricate planning required to keep the world functioning. The work moves beyond simple repair, touching on the deeper principles of stewardship and care for the systems we build and inherit.

Key themes introduced in this first part include:

• The distinction between building new systems and sustaining existing ones
• The hidden costs and complexities of upkeep in a technological age
• The cultural shift needed to value maintenance as highly as innovation
• The interplay between maintenance and the evolution of systems over time

Brand illustrates his thesis by drawing examples from disparate fields, demonstrating that the principles of maintenance are universal. The essay touches on the maintenance of software, where constant updates and security patches are required to keep digital platforms alive and secure. This is contrasted with the maintenance of physical and institutional structures.

The discussion extends to the realm of global institutions, where the "maintenance" of treaties, alliances, and cooperative frameworks is a continuous, often unglamorous process. The essay suggests that the stability of the international order depends as much on this ongoing upkeep as it does on its original founding principles.

By juxtaposing these domains, Brand highlights a common thread: the necessity of proactive, thoughtful intervention to prevent decay and ensure continued function. The work implies that neglect in any of these areas can lead to systemic failure, whether in a codebase or a geopolitical alliance.

Beyond the practical applications, Brand's essay delves into the philosophical underpinnings of maintenance. He argues that a society's attitude toward maintenance reflects its values. A culture that prioritizes novelty over durability, or expansion over care, may find itself managing a growing portfolio of decaying assets.

The essay posits that embracing maintenance requires a shift in perspective—from seeing systems as finished products to viewing them as ongoing processes. This mindset values resilience, adaptability, and the long-term health of the system over short-term gains or the allure of the new.

Maintenance is not a failure of imagination, but its highest form.

This perspective reframes the act of maintenance from a reactive task to a creative and ethical practice. It is about making conscious choices to preserve, improve, and adapt, ensuring that what has been built continues to serve its purpose effectively and responsibly.

As the first in a series, this essay sets the stage for a deeper investigation into the challenges and opportunities of maintenance in the 21st century. Stewart Brand lays a foundation for understanding how the principles of upkeep apply to an increasingly interconnected and complex world.

The work raises critical questions for the future: How do we design systems that are easier to maintain? How do we allocate resources for upkeep in a world focused on growth? And how can we cultivate a culture that honors the quiet, essential work of maintenance?

By starting this conversation, Brand provides a valuable framework for thinking about the sustainability of our technological, social, and environmental systems. The essay is a call to recognize and elevate the discipline of maintenance as a core competency for the future.

Stewart Brand's essay offers a powerful re-framing of a fundamental activity. By examining maintenance through a wide lens, he reveals its critical importance to the stability and longevity of the systems that define our world.

The central message is clear: innovation and maintenance are two sides of the same coin. A focus on building the future is incomplete without a parallel commitment to caring for what we have already built. This first installment provides a compelling argument for why maintenance deserves our full attention.