I Love Technology

[Chris]

I was that way with cell phones for years, refused to go that route, once I did I found it a major convenience.

You don't have to upgrade every new version. My parents have had the same basic cellphone for ages now. I looked at Windows 8 for about a week, before I decided it just doesn't add enough to a desktop 'puter. But my cell phone plan allows fairly cheap upgrade every two years, so for a couple $100 why not I figure. I save by buying Dickies at Walmart. :-)

Hasn't this planned obsolescence been true for much of what's on the market, cars and trucks, appliances, etc. It generates wealth.

[Captain Obvious]

I was that way with cell phones for years, refused to go that route, once I did I found it a major convenience.

You don't have to upgrade every new version. My parents have had the same basic cellphone for ages now. I looked at Windows 8 for about a week, before I decided it just doesn't add enough to a desktop 'puter. But my cell phone plan allows fairly cheap upgrade every two years, so for a couple $100 why not I figure. I save by buying Dickies at Walmart. :-)

Hasn't this planned obsolescence been true for much of what's on the market, cars and trucks, appliances, etc. It generates wealth.

You don't seem like a Dickies guy.

Agreed - the concept is "you can't sell something you can't re-sell again" or whatever, and maybe it's me but I have little patience with shit that is designed to be cumbersome and complicated. And I'm not a tech idiot either, my standards are just higher.

So I find those niches that work for me. Cars? No fucking way am I getting one loaded with all that electronic bullshit - not a fucking chance. I drive an F-250 that doesn't even have carpeting and has manual windows and it kicks ass. My second car is a stick hatchback, for gas mileage. Wife drives something wifey, but it's not stupid with options.

I can make an interesting suggestion though, IMO our standard of living has recently experienced a "correction" of sorts and I am thinking that simplicity and practicality may make a comeback at some point. Considering the deepening divide between classes there will still be silly luxury stuff, but I see a demand for simplicity around the corner.

[roadmaster]

Simplicity is better when it comes to autos. I have what people call a sports car and those electronic windows have failed twice now and had to have it fixed. The old truck, manual windows never failed me and still runs great.