In this local copying shop, the theory goes that warm paper runs more
smoothly through the copy machines and minimizes the risk of paper
jams. Hence, concentrating light/heat upon to soon-to-be-printed paper
placed into this cardboard box. Around which machines/processes do
“superstitions” or unproven beliefs crop up? What are the sources of
such beliefs and practices? How much variation in such a belief is
there within a given context (I’ve never seen or heard of the “warm
paper = smoother copying” practice anywhere else here)? Can the paper
get too hot? (I’m told that hasn’t happened as of yet)

Considering the degree of wear on the +20 year old copy machines that are the status quo for photocopy shops here, the less need for repairs the better, as you never know when fixing one part will indirectly lead to breaking another one. How do people change their behavior when they are knowingly dealing with worn or fragile parts? I think a lots depends upon the operator’s knowledge of the machine, or at least of local part availability/fabricate-ability. When are instances when something being broken requires careful thought as to whether to risk repairing it for fear of collateral damage? In what contexts is it no longer “worth it”? How does that vary between places with different degrees (and natures) of resource constraint, and for which products? What is “broken”, really – utterly inoperable? Impaired/sub-optimal to one person/context can be “runs fine to me” in another – your mileage may definitely vary.