Built to Break: The Ethics of Planned Obsolescence

Did you know that some products are designed to break down or become obsolete just so you’ll have to buy a new one? This practice, called planned obsolescence, has been around for a long time. The Phebus Cartel, for example, conspired to make lightbulbs burn out faster so they could sell more. Fast forward to today, and you have companies like Apple phasing out old phones with new iOS updates, a topic that famous YouTuber Casey Neistat explored in one of his videos. On the flip side, Elon Musk refuses to patent SpaceX’s innovations because he believes it slows down progress. Is it fair to make things that break on purpose? Or is it unethical to hold back progress with patents? Let’s dive into the ethical implications and think about how this impacts us all.

Your Task:
Your mission is to explore the ethics behind planned obsolescence. Start by thinking about industries where products might be purposely designed to wear out—like electronics, fashion, or even cars. Then, consider whether it’s okay to make things that will eventually break down or become obsolete. Is it a clever business move, or is it unfair to consumers? Write a half-page memo where you explain your thoughts on the ethics of planned obsolescence. Include a potential solution that allows companies to innovate without making products that are destined to fail. Your memo should consider both sides of the argument and propose an idea that meets ethical standards while still allowing for progress.