Taken from this thread:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?postid=2187861#post2187861
"corporations manufacturing trash don’t want to hire economists talking about [Planned Obsolescence]. the economics profession has a vested interest in not discussing it. the 10th edition of ECONOMICS by Samuelson calls Galbraith an iconoclast and says he doesn’t have any disciples and talks about a GUILD of economists.
i’ve been in the electronics industry since 1972. switched from stereos to computers in 1978. you would have to be an idiot not to notice planned obsolescence, but it dependes on consumers being stupid. have you ever heard of economist suggesting that accounting be mandatory in highschool. notice how accounting is portrayed as being difficult and boring. it’s nothing but 5th grade arithmatic.
planned obsolescence is planned depreciation and bad for your net worth.
there are 3 types of planned obsolescence. i came up with these from observation, you won’t find them in a book.
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true technological advance, i have no complaint about this but it does qualify as planned.
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useless variations in styling. increases cost motivates idiotic consumers makes repairs more dificult and costly.
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cheap construction. reduces costs, offsets styling costs increases maintenance costs and reduces lifespan of product. customer has to buy a new one making future profits for the corporation and investors.
now we have planned obsolescence of computer software and i found a computer book that agrees. Linux System Administration by Vicki Stanfield.
sorry guys, i’ve got my ducks in a row on this one. laser precision even. LOL!
Dal Timgar"
Does Mr. (Mrs.? I assume you’re a guy but correct me if i’m mistaken) Timgar have a point. Is there a point.
To rephrase:
Is planned obsolescence and depreciation a wasteful conspiracy perpetrated by the powers that be OR is it simply planning for the fact that someone will eventually build a better mousetrap than the one you make today?