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Comment by tosti | Hacker News Reader

Yes, please. Also ask yourself why that old tumble dryer, fridge, amplifier, vacuum cleaner and water cooker from 40+ years ago refuse to die while modern units die about the same week the warranty expires.

They make you buy new or else the manufacturers fear going out of business. It's just sad that this has extended to practically everything.

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Not always planned obsolescence. Good ol' "only the cheapest survive" plays a role, too.

Never heard that phrase. I think their point is the most cheaply made units aren't surviving into the future. They're just getting replaced often.

Unless perhaps it means only companies selling the cheapest are surviving. Which also doesn't seem broady true.

Maybe we can say "whoever sells the cheapest acceptable units survives".

Amazing nitpicking of the phrase, well done

A variation of Hanlon's Razor

Apparently one reason cars from the 90's last longer than new ones (which almost always fail in some way immediately after warranty expires) is the advancement and increased usage of computer modelling / simulation. In the 90's they had pretty much mastered car manufacturing and made parts which they were certain would outlast the warranty, erring on the side of caution they mostly ended up making parts that lasted much longer than the warranty.

Now, with computer modelling and simulations, they can accurately design a part to be as cheap as possible to make while being just durable enough to last for the duration of the warranty. D4A did a good video on it.. https://youtu.be/SeMZGICNSMg?si=sideQIwNBr9s9QW6

I have a vision for an art exposition where common tools and household items are enriched with remote shut down technology. Devices that have no business being smart like a hamer, a tire iron, a lug Wrench and perhaps shoes.

The entrance will feature the obvious candidates that normally use electricity then gradually transition into things like a manual powered citrus juicer for which the battery is only for contract enforcement and planned obsolescence

Is there evidence this is actually true? When I’ve looked I’ve found the historical reliability is overstated and also ignores cost, availability, and environmental impact of manufacturing and using newer appliances and devices. Lots of older things were heavy, resource intensive, and overbuilt. Quality items are still available today for all of this stuff, probably cheaper than in the past in most cases.

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