As Vance Packard observed in The Waste Makers, a prescient critique of the status quo written in 1960, our entire economy relies on consumers' willingness to spend more each year than they did the year before. This cyclical spending behavior reinforces the fact that companies prioritize short-term profits over sustainability, leading to a culture where products are designed to be discarded rather than repaired, further fueling this economic engine that values consumption over longevity.
Planned obsolescence is as much a sociocultural phenomenon as it is a savvy business strategy. We learn from a young age to shun those who fail to take part in the sacred rites of product and wardrobe updates, and we've entirely normalized the concept that whatever we purchase today is likely to be entirely outdated next year. This deeply entrenched mindset perpetuates the cycle of consumption, as newer models become symbols of status and societal belonging.
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