Lecture on Planned Obsolescence

Introduction

• Marcos' Experience: A common scenario where repairing a printer is costlier than buying a new one.
• Planned Obsolescence: A mechanism in consumer society leading to frequent product replacements.

Evolution of Planned Obsolescence

• 1920s Onwards: Manufacturers deliberately shortened product lifespans to increase demand.
• Phoebus Cartel (1924): Controlled bulb production to limit lifespans.
  • Reduced bulb lifespan from 2,500 hours to 1,000 hours.
  • Enforced through fines and technical committees.

Cultural and Economic Impact

• Consumer Society: Post-Wall Street Crash, planned obsolescence seen as a way to boost the economy.
• Brooks Stevens: Promoted planned obsolescence in the 1950s through innovative designs.
  • Encouraged consumer desire for newer models.

Education and Legislation

• Design Schools: Teach product life cycle management, emphasizing frequent purchases.
• Legal Cases: Apple sued for iPods' battery lifespan, leading to better warranty policies.

Environmental and Ethical Concerns

• Waste and Resource Use: Planned obsolescence contributes to significant waste, often ending up in third-world countries like Ghana.
• Engineering Ethics: Dilemma between creating durable vs. deliberately short-lived products.

Alternatives and Solutions

• Repair and Reuse: Examples from less affluent countries like India and initiatives like Russian software to reset printer chips.
• Business Models: Companies like Warner Phillips focus on sustainability with long-lasting bulbs.
• Cradle to Cradle: Concept of designing products that mimic nature's waste-free cycles.

Movements Against Planned Obsolescence

• Degrowth Movement: Advocates reducing consumption for sustainable living.
• Cultural Change: Shift towards finding value in non-material goods like friendship and knowledge.

Conclusion

• Future Directions: Emphasize the need for systematic changes in production, economy, and societal values to combat planned obsolescence.