It's what JIT (just-in-time) inventory and offshore manufacturing took away from us. Hold onto your spare parts.
replyMy dad worked at Lockheed and in the 80s they joked they used JIC (just in case) manufacturing. They had so many parts without a clear reason as to why they created so many.
replyJIC! That's funny.
It may sound like inefficiency, but really it is an option on future flexibility. Just like the big box of cables.
reply> I wish the old cables, gear, etc. I have squirreled-away stopped saving Customers' and friends' asses because I could feel good about getting rid of it.
replyWhat you've got to do is become more forgetful.
Ask not what a 17v power supply can do for your friends. Ask if you'll remember it and find it when that moment comes.