Planned Obsolescence. Why Some Durable Goods Aren't So Durable

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Description

Are the expensive products designed and sold by companies like Apple and Samsung built to fail? This film investigates the practice of planned obsolescence, in which manufacturers release waves of new models not necessarily because consumers need or want them but because marketing strategy requires it. Apparently it's not enough that an item is purchased with enthusiasm-the buying needs to be repeated on a regular schedule in order to ensure profitability. From the iPod and iPhone, designed with integrated batteries that cannot be changed by the user, to Samsung TVs that are built to burn out after three years, manufacturers do everything they can to limit the lifespans of supposedly durable goods. Viewers learn how big corporate brands implement programmed obsolescence-and how these tactics have economic, environmental, and cultural ramifications.