Every upgrade leaves a footprint.
Planned Obsolescence is a policy in which the life of products is designed to be short, so that after some time or amount of usage it becomes useless or invalid and requires replacement. This practise that is common in different sectors of the economy such as the electronics and fashion industries, forces buyers to buy new products time and again, contributing to the economic development.
The discussion digs in to the complicated interrelation of Economic Strategy, Environmental Impact, and Ethical Consumerism: Is planned obsolescence an unavoidable engine of modern commerce, or an unsustainable and unethical practice?
Key Areas for Vichaar (Deliberation)
- Economic Drivers vs. Sustainability
* The Growth Imperative: Econonomically, planned obsolescence stimulates demand, fosters innovation (by creating markets for new models), and supports employment in manufacturing and sales. Is it a necessary evil for maintaining a capitalist economy focused on continuous growth?
* The Environmental Cost: This economic model generates vast amounts of waste, contributing to landfills, pollution from manufacturing, and the depletion of natural resources. Is it possible to balance the economic advantages with the extreme environmental degradation it leads to particularly during the age of climate crisis?
2. Ethical Consumerism and Corporate Responsibility
* Consumer Autonomy: Does planned obsolescence undermine consumer choice and autonomy by forcing purchases rather than allowing products to be used to their full natural life? Is it a form of manipulation?
* The Right to Repair: The rise of planned obsolescence often goes hand-in-hand with making products difficult or impossible to repair. Should consumers have an inherent "right to repair" their purchased goods, and what role should legislation play in ensuring this?
* Corporate Ethics: What do corporations do in the ethical responsibility of designing products? Is it acceptable to make products that would end up in the garbage bin to make a profit even when there would be an alternative option that can last longer?
3. Moving Towards a Circular Economy
* Could a shift towards a circular economy—where products are designed for durability, repair, reuse, and recycling—offer a viable alternative to the linear "take-make-dispose" model fueled by planned obsolescence?
* What incentives or regulations would be necessary to encourage industries to adopt more sustainable design and business practices?
Prompts for Discussion
* Have you ever personally experienced the frustration of a product failing "just after" its warranty or becoming outdated due to software updates? Share your experience.
* Beyond individual consumer choices, what systemic changes (e.g., legislation, industry standards) do you believe are most crucial to address planned obsolescence?
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