An Insult to Humanity - Planned Obsolescence!
By barehugs
@barehugs (8973)
Canada
August 20, 2008 8:17pm CST
Ever since our ancestors picked up a stone, and chipped a sharp edge to make a knife, mankind has been inventing, designing and building better things.For millions of years as humans evolved, their tools, homes, clothing, transportation, and life style evolved right along with them. There was a certain pride in workmanship, the pride of a job well done, and a Pride in building something that would Last. But those days when you could purchase a tool that would last a lifetime are gone forever. Sure, they still have a "Lifetime Guarantee" (they are now guaranteed for the life of the tool!) As a senior I own a few of these things that have lasted. In 1943 my Father roofed a barn with Aluminum instead of Galvanized Steel.This was a new idea! My son owns the barn today, and that roof of 65 years is still intact and in perfect condition. It's never been painted and looks just as it did 65 years ago. Because the roof will last forever you cannot buy Aluminum roofing anywhere. My wife gifted me with a pure nylon knitted sweater shortly after we were married in 1955. Nylon yarn was a new material at that time, and this sweater is very soft, comfortable and stretchy. I love this warm sweater and wear it often. It looks and feels just as it did when it was Brand new. Its now 53 years old and I'm willing it to my Grandson. I have no doubt he will wear it for a lifetime. I have a refrigerator in my honeyhouse that was old when I bought it 30 years ago. It still purrs away keeping the creamed honey cool. My father had an electric light bulb hanging in his wood shed when we cleaned up the house after his death. This bulb was still lighting just as it had for well over 40 years. Our society has a problem, Greed has caused us to lose the Pride of Workmanship, the Pride of a Job well done. I'm wondering if we can (will) ever get it back?
3 people like this
5 responses
@NonaSaile (924)
• Philippines
21 Aug 08
Good point! And I say about your refrigerator, and your barn: wow!!! Well, over here, I've seen some houses and buildings - standing solid and strong and with a noble if silent history in them; some even survived the world war - levelled down, to make way for more modern structures. Levelled down for no other reason but to keep up with the "modernized look"! And I feel the same way as you do.
2 people like this
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
23 Aug 08
The Point I was trying to make is that business is continually side-swiping human integrity, by refusing to manufacture commodities that have a long life span, in favor of cheaply produced short lived items that can be made and sold over and over resulting in big profits for the company's involved, and endless ex-aspiration by the consuming public.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
31 Aug 08
I hear you sir. The trend these days seems to be...what? it's five years old???? You need a new one. It's still working, in good condition if a bit worn but yep, still going strong. But it's OLD. Therefore, it's disposable and not before time either.
How often do things get repaired rather than replaced? Missing button? Toss it. Hem's come down? Toss it. I find this sort of outlook on life is a big waste and therefore quite obscene.
I often wonder, in this disposable society we live in, what will happen when we run out of room to dispose of the things we have finished with?
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
31 Aug 08
There is something wonderful about an old shirt, or even an old car! A thing tried and true,and a vibration that's known and respected. Somehow or other over time this revered feeling has been forgotten. Perhaps painted over with bright colors that glitter, like the shine of a new Christmas toy to a three year old kid. But, with time, we humans will once again regain the knowledge that newer is not always better, and time-tested is the best measure of value and usefulness!
1 person likes this
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
23 Aug 08
Here is another instance of Greedy Companies compromising Quality for the sake of Profit. There are several Honey Packing Companies in Canada, and more in the USA who Pasteurize the honey to kill the natural yeast. Once the yeast is killed they add up to 5% water to stretch the product, and make it thinner to improve the looks. Also they use a pressure filter to take out the microscopic pollen grains, which are up to 60% protein, and an important health ingredient. This filtering also improves the look of the product in the glass bottle. If you want Pure, Healthy, Natural Honey you must go directly to the beekeeper who produced the honey. You will pay less and get a much healthier product.
@glamgrl (384)
• Ireland
22 Aug 08
hi barehugs
i agree totally
there is something very sad about built in obsolescence
it goes against human nature and it is so bad for the planet
it just makes very rich people even richer
i think it is natural for humans to have attachments to inanimate objects
but with the throwaway society this is erroaded
i think it is related to spirituality too
the more we buy into endless rubbish the less spiritual we become
best regards
glam
1 person likes this
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
21 Aug 08
I know exactly what you mean. You are exactly right. GREED governs the world now. It is sickening to me.
They can make a lightbulb last as long as they want it to. You just pay for the length of which one you choose now.
Cars are designed to break down after 4 - 5 years, so you have to buy another one. We are just making this precious earth of ours a big garbage dump because of the promotion of 'consumerism'.
I don't know if we will ever get that 'pride of workmanship' motto back. The Greedy seem to outnumber the proud, still yet.
I sometimes think it would be a good thing for us to run out of oil, so we would have to slow down and use the horse and cart again. It would make people slow down and smell the roses and realize what is 'really important' in life. ie. respect for your fellow man, helping your neighbours, kindness, compassion, pride of workmanship, etc.
Great discussion.
1 person likes this
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
23 Aug 08
Yes, the hike in Oil prices may be a light at the end of the tunnel. People are beginning to see that they don't need a big SUV to go grocery shopping every week. I doubt the return of the horse and cart would make us smell the roses. I'm old enough to remember the natural odor of horse droppings as we plod slowly along, a smell that somewhat overpowers the roses that bloom along the roadside.
