Economics Quote by Brooks Stevens
“Our whole economy is based on planned obsolescence, and anyone who can read without moving his lips should know it by now.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview, 1970s, technology commentary
The quote claims modern economies rely on designing products to fail quickly, and that awareness of this is common knowledge.
In simple terms: Economy forces products to break fast; people should know this.
Key Takeaway
Question consumer habits and product lifespans.
Themes
consumerism
economics
design
environment
technology
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- shopping decisions
- product design
- policy advocacy
- personal consumption
- repair culture
Key Concepts
Planned obsolescence
market incentives
sustainability
Questions to Reflect On
- How does planned obsolescence affect your purchasing choices?
- What alternatives exist to break this cycle?
A Different Perspective
Not all industries practice obsolescence; some prioritize durability.
![“Only one rational path is open to us - simultaneous de-development of the [overdeveloped countries] and semi-development of the underdeveloped countries (UDCs), in order to approach a decent and ecologically sustainable standard of living for all in between. By de-development we mean lower…” quote by John Holdren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0c4/john-holdren-23470_abolition_only-one-rational-path-is-open-to-us-sim_2290483.jpg)
