I read an article about how we are losing to major corporations in the technology industry because they hold a power on how long their products last and the updating systems they provide that will in turn make a specific product irrelevant. We as consumers lose site on what kind of control a company has on use when we only focus on how their product helps us. When we start to understand how much control these companies have on us is when we start to realize we are using products that they are outdating due to their “upgrades” and “advances” in design.
The perfect example is the Apple iPod. Since the beginning of this product we have made advances in the software, color, picture, porting, etc. When a new model comes out Apple has made it a point to outdate their older products in order to create sales on the new product. If Apple wanted to make their products everlasting they would never sell more than one of those products to each person who bought one. Now think about how many iPod/iPhones you have owned in your life time. Wild isn’t it.
The production of materials used is another point covered in the article I read. Companies can’t build the strongest and most unbreakable products. Going back to out dating software, you will never buy another one of those products if the first one you buy is everlasting. Computer companies build laptops knowing the material and design they are using has a lifespan of 3-4 years.
Towards the end of the article it covers an interest point that consumers are not the only losers in this situation. The environment takes a loss in this situation as well. With many products becoming outdated and breaking due to lifespan they get toss and discarded but what actually happens to those? They sit in landfills, do not get recycled or become a waste of materials because they are not relevant anymore. This was where I found environment meets people and glad that they covered that topic.
Thanks for sharing this very interesting and timely post. People should be aware that though technological innovations create a promising future for people, it is also important to note that upgrades that lead to waste can be detrimental to the environment. In the process we don't just lose outdated products but a sound environment too.
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