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tawayway

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I suppose it's possible the important bits of a high end cassete player aren't any better. Audiophile equipment is sometimes funny that way.

It's a different problem domain too. A non-linear tape head/amplifier may help with recovering pulses but have unpleasant distortion for audio.

Another old chestnut - learning some assembly allows you to read it, even if you don't ever need to write any. There is real value in understanding which instructions your compiler is emitting.

Beating the compiler is made easier if you can look at the compiler's answers.

they require virtually no maintenance in comparison.

Not sure I agree - your circular saw might need a new blade but your handsaw will (eventually) need a sharpening and the teeth set.

an accelerometer in a Wii Remote

I don't think this is the best example, accelerometers were not a cheap common part at the time. The Wii predates the iPhone, MEMS accelerometers were not anywhere near as widely deployed as they are now and they cost an order of magnitude or two more.

I can remember hobbyists buying Wii Remotes after launch just to rip out the sensors :)

IMO, perfect example is the B&W LCD on the original DMG Gameboy. A generation behind the competition, but cheap and low-power for the time.

The counterargument is a well-intentioned but clueless volunteer should not be in charge of directing millions of dollars in donations. I imagine it's hard to find someone with skills to efficiently run a large organization without paying them an industry wage.