“Imagine buying a car with non-replaceable tires.”
We’d never accept that — but we do when it comes to phones with non-replaceable batteries or printers that force overpriced ink.
This isn’t accidental. It’s planned obsolescence:
Making products that break or degrade on purpose, so you keep buying more.
Phoebus Cartel (1920s):
Lightbulb manufacturers reduced bulb life from 2500 to 1000 hours to ensure repeat sales.
Nylon was originally strong enough to pull trucks — but was weakened for clothing so it would rip more easily.
The intentional design of products to break, degrade, or become unusable faster — in order to increase sales by shortening replacement cycles.
It includes: