Episode
Selects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy
1:04:50
Published: Sat Sep 25 2021
Description
If you’ve ever heard an old timer gripe that things aren’t built like they used to be, that old timer was right! In this classic episode, learn about the nefarious, possibly mythical, mechanism that’s responsible for the cruddy products and waste our consumer society is based on. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chapters
This podcast features survivors sharing their stories of navigating through toxic relationships and their process of healing.
00:00 - 02:16 (02:16)
Summary
This podcast features survivors sharing their stories of navigating through toxic relationships and their process of healing. This season, the focus is on highlighting red flags and helping listeners spot a narcissist before they become embroiled in a harmful relationship.
EpisodeSelects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy
PodcastStuff You Should Know
The frustration with short-lived smartphones is similar to how people felt when Thomas Edison used carbon instead of tungsten filaments to invent the light bulb in the late 1800s.
02:16 - 07:29 (05:12)
Summary
The frustration with short-lived smartphones is similar to how people felt when Thomas Edison used carbon instead of tungsten filaments to invent the light bulb in the late 1800s. Keeping a phone for five years shouldn't have to be an identity statement.
EpisodeSelects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy
PodcastStuff You Should Know
The idea of planned obsolescence was not a natural evolution, but the result of a concerted effort between businesses and manufacturers.
07:29 - 13:13 (05:44)
Summary
The idea of planned obsolescence was not a natural evolution, but the result of a concerted effort between businesses and manufacturers. The concept of planned obsolescence includes charging consumers for using old products and sharing ideas among different industries.
EpisodeSelects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy
PodcastStuff You Should Know
The host discusses the trend of high-end products marketed as long-lasting, such as wallets supposedly lasting up to 60 years, and questions the concept of constantly needing to replace items.
13:13 - 16:59 (03:45)
Summary
The host discusses the trend of high-end products marketed as long-lasting, such as wallets supposedly lasting up to 60 years, and questions the concept of constantly needing to replace items.
EpisodeSelects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy
PodcastStuff You Should Know
The problems associated with planned obsolescence are discussed, highlighting the waste, unnecessary consumerism, and unsustainable keeping up with the Joneses mentality it creates.
17:02 - 22:48 (05:46)
Summary
The problems associated with planned obsolescence are discussed, highlighting the waste, unnecessary consumerism, and unsustainable keeping up with the Joneses mentality it creates. The issue is examined from an economic and practical perspective, with famous remarks from industrial designer Brooke Stevens cited as an example of the challenges it presents.
EpisodeSelects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy
PodcastStuff You Should Know
The podcast hosts discuss the history of how consumers are sold to and the negative impact of consumerism on society.
22:48 - 26:05 (03:16)
Summary
The podcast hosts discuss the history of how consumers are sold to and the negative impact of consumerism on society. They acknowledge they might sound like old-timers, but argue that this kind of reporting on the dark side of consumerism is important.
EpisodeSelects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy
PodcastStuff You Should Know
The speaker discusses the inconvenience of needing multiple sets of headphones or peripherals for each Apple device, as well as the lack of replaceable batteries in newer models.
26:05 - 30:14 (04:09)
Summary
The speaker discusses the inconvenience of needing multiple sets of headphones or peripherals for each Apple device, as well as the lack of replaceable batteries in newer models.
EpisodeSelects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy
PodcastStuff You Should Know
Companies control the market on printer parts and repairs, artificially shortening their lifetime of a product through the use of proprietary parts and warranties.
30:14 - 35:02 (04:47)
Summary
Companies control the market on printer parts and repairs, artificially shortening their lifetime of a product through the use of proprietary parts and warranties.
EpisodeSelects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy
PodcastStuff You Should Know
The trend of clothing companies producing expensive, but well-made clothes can actually make it difficult to repair items as the finite amount of repair parts become used up.
35:02 - 38:37 (03:34)
Summary
The trend of clothing companies producing expensive, but well-made clothes can actually make it difficult to repair items as the finite amount of repair parts become used up. In past years, durable items such as a pair of Levi's jeans could last for a long time.
EpisodeSelects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy
PodcastStuff You Should Know
The decline of repair services is causing problems for many people with items that are not guaranteed to last long, such as a switchblade comb.
38:37 - 41:41 (03:04)
Summary
The decline of repair services is causing problems for many people with items that are not guaranteed to last long, such as a switchblade comb. It's becoming difficult to find repair shops for these items, which might have been easy to locate in the past.
EpisodeSelects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy
PodcastStuff You Should Know
This podcast episode discusses the problems that planned obsolescence can create, such as the decrease in quality of products and the waste it generates.
41:42 - 47:06 (05:24)
Summary
This podcast episode discusses the problems that planned obsolescence can create, such as the decrease in quality of products and the waste it generates. Along with this, the episode also talks about the fall of MySpace.
EpisodeSelects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy
PodcastStuff You Should Know
The tech industry, particularly smaller companies and startups, often pride themselves on treating customers well.
47:06 - 52:51 (05:45)
Summary
The tech industry, particularly smaller companies and startups, often pride themselves on treating customers well. However, issues with faulty products are still prevalent, with statistics showing a high rate of appliances and electronics breaking within the first five years.
EpisodeSelects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy
PodcastStuff You Should Know
Several new regulations are being proposed that would require manufactures to create repair manuals and make it more feasible for consumers to repair their devices or get them repaired at an authorized repair shop without voiding the warranty.
52:51 - 56:27 (03:35)
Summary
Several new regulations are being proposed that would require manufactures to create repair manuals and make it more feasible for consumers to repair their devices or get them repaired at an authorized repair shop without voiding the warranty. The EcoDesign Directive program aims to improve device durability and repairability.
EpisodeSelects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy
PodcastStuff You Should Know
The debate around planned obsolescence centers around how it was born and if it's the cause of our consumer society or the response to it.
56:27 - 1:02:21 (05:53)
Summary
The debate around planned obsolescence centers around how it was born and if it's the cause of our consumer society or the response to it. The release of a new superior product every few years is fine, but are there ethical implications when it comes to building devices that are designed to be replaced frequently?
EpisodeSelects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy
PodcastStuff You Should Know
"Main Accounts" covers the early days of social media through interviews with those who lived it, while "Let's Start a Coup" tackles the complexities of toxic relationships and the process of healing from them.
1:02:21 - 1:04:07 (01:46)
Summary
"Main Accounts" covers the early days of social media through interviews with those who lived it, while "Let's Start a Coup" tackles the complexities of toxic relationships and the process of healing from them.