Disposable Technology

We live in an age where technology advances so quickly that whatever makes it to market is already obsolete. I remember our first computer had a 1 gigabyte hard drive and ran on dial up that was so slow I swear to God that every time I logged in I went a few seconds backwards in time. It also cost about $4,000. In 15 years personal computers have changed tremendously. They are faster and more efficient but their progress isn't limited to a steady pattern of growth. Breakthroughs in computing technology have caused the level of growth in computers to be exponential. Computers are now found in many devices scattered through out your house and their applications seem limitless.

The only problem that I really have with the run away technological growth I've noticed is a practical one. The newest technological devices don't seem to last as long. The quality of the product ensures that the product will last only as long as it takes to get the newest model onto the market. It makes sense to market devices that only last a few years because the growth of the technology depends on the demand. Consumers can buy a computer, cell phone, music player, digital camera, etc. and enjoy it for only a short while because just as soon as you become familiar with the device it will be out dated and it will necessarily be in need of replacement. This necessity occurs in two ways. 1: You are compelled to update your current device because you feel you are lagging behind with the current culture; 2: your device fails and your are left to repurchase the device in it's latest form.

Outdated technology isn't worthless. It still has value so long as it works good enough for the lagger who still uses it. I know that my manual razor had a predecessor that had two blades and one before that which had just the one. It didn't take too long for someone to develop a new razor that has four blades so now my current razor is obsolete. It won't be long before this next one is obsolete either. The next one, I'm sure, will have 5 blades, and once they have put on as many blades as is possible to put on a razor they will make one that tells time or one that reminds you when you need to shave by sending you a text message on your cell phone. I still prefer it if I want a smoother shave because an electric razor, no matter how expensive or "good" it supposedly is, it can never give you as close a shave. The point hidden in all this rambling is that the damn thing still works.

It's actually amazing to think of the ways people have improved such simple technologies. Another example is the toothbrush. What was once a stick with bristles on one end now comes in many different styles ranging from stiffness of bristles, to flexible heads, to vibrating kinds, to ones with tongue cleaners.

Sadly, I cannot say that technology is more or less reliable than it was at any other time because I honestly don't know the statistics. However, the frustration in dealing with expensive devices that do not last long has peeked my suspicion and I can't help but recall the 40 year old microwave sitting in the kitchen still being used as if to spite the Ipod, personal computer, and digital camera I had that each lasted less than 2 years. Each examples of the failure I have recently and irritatingly experienced in newer technology. I know of many people with strangely old microwaves. Maybe it is just that microwave technology is a more reliable technology. There in lies the bias of my reasoning, perhaps.

In any case the demand for disposable technology is evident, whether it is the cause of poor quality products or not. People go through cell phones like babies go through diapers. If people want it then the market will supply it; I just wish that I could feel more confidence in investing a decent amount of my money into some new device without having to worry about how soon it is likely to fail on me. It seems the only glimmer of hope is that people will only be able to accept a lifestyle filled with disposable technologies so long as they do not become too unreasonable. For me that has already passed with so many devices, I'm merely waiting on the rest of the herd to get there.