Horrors of late capitalism

[beemerider500]

Originally Posted by george anson

The creation of markets for goods we do not need. Really we do not need.

The continual creation of new brands, flavours or small upgrades to consumer electronic hardware every few months to lure buyers in with marketing campaigns.

Creating products, services even infrastructure like buildings takes material resources and even then those are rapidly disposed of to make way for others.

This continual usage denies the fact that the planet has finite accessible resources unless nations undertake to utilize mineral and elemental resources from the rest of the Solar System which is at the moment prohibitive financially. Or promote recycling to it's fullest extent.

The cost to the environment is incalculable as the estimates of the worth of the natural world to humanity is still a figure that rarely factors into development models. Even now. The probable worth in concrete terms is in the order of trillions globally.

Needless capitalism needs reining in.

Personally, I think that this "disposable goods" model was something that was developed by the Japanese back in the 1960's, when Japan was trying to recover from World War II.

[bowlinggreen]

Originally Posted by beemerider500

Personally, I think that this "disposable goods" model was something that was developed by the Japanese back in the 1960's, when Japan was trying to recover from World War II.

Well, there's this.

https://www.treehugger.com/corporate...nce-began.html

I think once a technological society reaches a certain stage in its development, if it is controlled by capitalists, this phenomenon is inevitable.

Why sell somebody something well made once when you can made it cheapo and sell it to them a half a dozen times when the one they have breaks?

[beemerider500]

Originally Posted by bowlinggreen

Well, there's this.

https://www.treehugger.com/corporate...nce-began.html

I think once a technological society reaches a certain stage in its development, if it is controlled by capitalists, this phenomenon is inevitable.

Why sell somebody something well made once when you can made it cheapo and sell it to them a half a dozen times when the one they have breaks?

Unfortunately, the American auto industry was like that in the 50's, 60's & 70's...probably because they had "cornered the market". Buy a car and finance it for 3 years, but it's worn out in two (at least in the northern climates). That's how the Japanese were able to get a "foothold" in America.

I can tell you though, their autos were under-powered and really didn't handle very well. But, if you were young, just starting out with no credit rating, first job, etc. they were cheap and lasted better than the "Detroit Iron".

But that aside, appliances (and, yes) TV's, Tape Recorders and other electronics (from that era) were well made. In fact, one of the finer audio manufacturers, "McIntosh" of Binghampton, New York is revered electronics in Japan to this day.

[Arturo2nd]

Originally Posted by Hertz

I'm frustrated with this time, I wish I was born in the middle of last century! I have mental relief in this forum, without this place I'd end up in the asylum fo sure.

What makes you so sure that the rest of are not confined to loony bins?

[Dr Pepper]

Originally Posted by beemerider500

Unfortunately, the American auto industry was like that in the 50's, 60's & 70's...probably because they had "cornered the market". Buy a car and finance it for 3 years, but it's worn out in two (at least in the northern climates). That's how the Japanese were able to get a "foothold" in America.

I can tell you though, their autos were under-powered and really didn't handle very well. But, if you were young, just starting out with no credit rating, first job, etc. they were cheap and lasted better than the "Detroit Iron".

But that aside, appliances (and, yes) TV's, Tape Recorders and other electronics (from that era) were well made. In fact, one of the finer audio manufacturers, "McIntosh" of Binghampton, New York is revered electronics in Japan to this day.

Be grateful you didn't have to experience consumer grade British cars....in comparison, my first Japanese car-a Mazda 808 wagon-was a paragon of reliability, durability and economy....

[beemerider500]

Originally Posted by Dr Pepper

Be grateful you didn't have to experience consumer grade British cars....in comparison, my first Japanese car-a Mazda 808 wagon-was a paragon of reliability, durability and economy....

I remember (vividly) how crappy the Lucas electrical system / components were. I had a friend with an Triumph Bonneville mototorcycle and another friend with a MGB/GT.

[Dr Pepper]

Originally Posted by beemerider500

I remember (vividly) how crappy the Lucas electrical system / components were. I had a friend with an Triumph Bonneville mototorcycle and another friend with a MGB/GT.

Oh yes!!! ...the many indignities inflicted on us long suffering Brit car owners up till the late 70s....when large scale Japanese imports took off in NZ...

-and the incandescent rage you feel when marooned in the back of the Otago hinterland in a NZ army V8 Landrover with 1-3/4 full fuel tanks....and BOTH fuel pumps decide to go on strike.....tick tick tick- whilst on field exercise...if it wasn't the fuel pumps, it was the limited slip diff, if it wasn't the diff, it was the wiring harness....etc etc