Planned Obsolescence

[jakeXT]

Planned obsolescence or built-in obsolescence[1] in industrial design is a policy of deliberately planning or designing a product with a limited useful life, so it will become obsolete or nonfunctional after a certain period of time.[1] Planned obsolescence has potential benefits for a producer because to obtain continuing use of the product the consumer is under pressure to purchase again, whether from the same manufacturer (a replacement part or a newer model), or from a competitor which might also rely on planned obsolescence.[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence

[physioex]

1. Couple of points....

The quality of items were going up in the 80's as I remember wonderful produts from Japan like the Toyota Corolla and Sony Televisions. Also I remember american cars back in th 80's going into the 90's were of real bad quality while cosumer goods were of decent quality. Currently I would say that automobiles today are all reasonably of good quality while consumer goods have fallen. I think this has to do with moving all manufacturing to China to reduce costs both labor and quality.

Come on a light bulb conspiracy now that's crap. Todays light bulb are made with tungsten which which are coiled and coiled again and glow much brighter than the old style bulbs. Plus incandesant bulbs are 99% inefficient so we should pursue new technologies like CFL and LED.

[flexnor]

2. I changed my Ipod Nano battery for 6 bucks out of pure spite

ordered one on ebay, used a knife to carefully split the case, and used an old soldering iron (way too big for the purpose) and a magnifying glass to see what i was doing, and replaced it

2 years later, replacement battery still works perfect

my message to apple was 'screw you and your obsolescence

dont try this if you're totally inexperienced in electrical/mechanical stuff

AND NO VERIZON, I DONT NEED A NEW CELL PHONE!!!!!!!!!

[physioex]

3. I must say this Apple exclusive....

Making products that you cannot even change the battery. Now that is a conspiracy.

[jakeXT]

5. I know the day will come for my ipod touch, I hope I will get it done by myself.

[flexnor]

7. have no idea how hard ipod touch is to replace

i'm sure they make each model a new adventure, and any engineering efforts would be in making it more difficult, not easier

[snappyturtle]

4. Have just begun to watch this...saving for this evening!

Some may view planned obsolescence as job security. I'll have to wait and see if this is considered in the video.

[physioex]

6. Meh not so good....

It's too many conspiracies like Loose Change. Maybe a few good points like why we cannot service printers. Consider skiping it....

[snappyturtle]

8. Thanks for the heads up! nt

[jakeXT]

10. Phoebus Cartel is documented by historians

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebus_cartel

[deadinsider]

12. Nice reference

I was thinking of that too.

Conspiracy? It's for profit, and the bottom line is all that matters in capitalism. Why would a company not do this?

[One_Life_To_Give]

9. Long life incandescents are easy

Put 220V bulbs into your 110V fixtures. The filaments will be much cooler consuming only half the power and giving less than 25% of the light. But they will last.

You have 1) Cost, 2) Reliability, 3) Efficiency.
Bulbs can be designed to target two of the three. The third will be defined by the first two. i.e. High Reliability, Low Efficiency Equals Moderate Cost.

[Mosaic]

11. An evil abusive scheme by capitalists

To create what they call citizens: consumers. Like moles, or worms, also consumers.