Truly I’m not certain this can be controlled by simply one law, but I’m going to pretend it can be for the sake of the argument.
While my parents were raising our young family many years ago, they would make large purchases for our household from time to time. Perhaps a refrigerator, an automobile, a television or a lawn mower to give you a few examples. Per my recollection, they lasted for decades.
To be perfectly honest, however, I’m not certain if those items had longevity due to my parents being born during and shortly after the depression (therefore taking extremely good care of their possessions), the actual quality of the products being exceptionally manufactured, or if they simply got lucky with each purchase.
All that I know is that the Whirlpool refrigerator I bought a few months ago should, according to the salesperson, be operational for a total of 7-9 years before it will need to be replaced.
Hmm. Even my wife and I when we went to Sears at the turn of the century (ooh, the year 2000 sounds so long ago) purchased a refrigerator that was just replaced last fall after 24 years of solid use. The Kenmore washer and dryer purchased at the same time is still running (after a few repairs through the years), and actually allows clothes to get clean with enough water.
Which leads me to wonder why, with cutting edge technology and years of experience, the lifespan of most durable goods today is seriously lacking in longevity.
The term that applies best here is “planned obsolescence”, defined as “a process where manufacturers intentionally design products to have a limited lifespan, prompting consumers to replace them sooner.”
Not to be a conspiracy theorist, but I even think it happens in healthcare. I secretly wonder if we don’t already have options to cure certain serious medical conditions but focus more on therapeutics because they provide an ongoing stream of cash.
It’s always the money. Always.
So, when I think about a law to change, it would be to alter the options of companies to purposely produce or manipulate products and artificially gouge the consumer, in some cases for decades. My assumption here would be that there is a law that allows for that activity, one that could be changed.
Now It’s Your Turn
Let’s think about how laws impact us and how we can really make a difference. If you could change one law, which one would it be and why? Your thoughts matter, and they could lead to some great conversations! Drop your ideas in the comments below! If you liked this post and want more interesting stuff, make sure to subscribe for updates and new content. Together, we can explore the ideas that shape our world!
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