For the future I am envisioning, there will be large scale legislations around the globe to prevent or discourage planned obsolescence for many consumer products. This includes examples presented in the class today — washing machines — but also other electronics such as televisions and fridges, as well as cars and non-electronic things. In this future, activists work to promote the trend of long lasting products / Efficiency over a long period of time in the society, and regularly checks newer designs and innovations as to whether they are sustainable over the long term rather than purely being “technically” more green, but increasing the total number of production. I believe a way to achieve this is through activism, such as #Unleashvalues and other platforms to raise awareness of these goals, and when the movement becomes large enough, can compel industries to adjust their strategies and produce more durable products for the consumers.
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Hey Tom, I think the idea of calling devices or products "green" cause they check off enough of the boxes is so important. These is very little knowledge publicly to my understanding of what being "green" actually is and that education in society could lead to a greater understanding of how much consumerism affect climate crisis.
Hi Tom! I think you are spot on! It can often be very tempting for consumers to buy shorter-lasting products, in the hopes of saving money, but I agree that purchasing longer-lasting products instead is more sustainable in the long-run. However, for those that cannot afford to buy more expensive, longer-lasting products, a possible solution could be repairing existing products in order to prevent continuous consumption? I believe that looking into cheap, sustainable repair mechanisms could therefore be an eco-friendly alternative that we should consider.
Hi Tom! I loved that you mentioned the washing machine example. I believe that policies should be placed in action now to prevent obsolescence for consumer products. The environment should be prioritized over profit!
So true! Activisim is a really good way to share our voice and stand up to bad things like planned obsolescence.
Planned obsolescence is sometimes a symptom of the archaic "profit at all costs" motive.....Also to blame is the financial economic "withholding" of the most effective and efficient technologies when countries not only suffer from debt and poverty, but also the very archaic "technical innovation divide(? hey I am open to better word choice suggestions!)"; sometimes hand-me-down technology is OK, but other times, more innovation in scientifically ecosensitive solutions are genuinely much needed and in demand! Let's learn from the infrastructure mistakes of our car-culture world and develop walkable cities through the developing world as is beneficial and reasonably fitting, ecologically & sustainably desired. For example, I emphatically discourage the proliferation of North American style grocery stores, for example! We are rift with waste problems on account of our existing "plastic wrap" grocery store packaging industry! How about old fashioned old world farmers' markets instead? How about waxed paper and cardboard where plastic and styrofoam would've once been used?
I agree, technology should be considered in this issue to a great extent.
I really like this idea! I feel like 50 years ago companies took pride in their products lasting a long time and now the ideas have changed and they just want more sales. Realistically, if I needed something like a new washing machine I would pick the one that has been proven to last the longest than the one with the latest tech. I think most people would say the same but there is either not enough products with a good lifespan or they're wayy too expensive so we just get trapped in the cycle of buying a new one every 5 years.
Completely agree. Planned obsolescence as a method to increase consumerism is predatory and directly harmful to consumers and the environment. Products which can last for decades are intentionally tampered with to break early and easily, with little to no options for repair, forcing otherwise useful products to become garbage which pollutes the planet.