Stellar piece on how capitalism's growth imperative has systematically engineered disposability into everyday objects. The pasta machine example perfectly illustrates what we've lost, not just in material terms but in our emotional relationship with things. I've noticed the same pattern in consumer electronics where planned obsolesence gets dressed up as 'innovation', when really its just forced upgrade cycles. The bit about durability being co-opted into luxury 'eco' markets is sharp too, we need systemic change not just premium alternatives for those who can afford conciousness.
Ohhhhh I have a Singer sewing machine, c.1920, a perfect example to match your pasta machine. A quiet, smooth-running, hand-driven machine of perfection, in contrast to my noisy, plastic, modern, electric Brother. Superb piece, thanks, with all the nuance and clarity needed to ground us at this (and every) Christmas carnage time. Thank you.
Thank you! These amazing venerable objects are truly inspiring, those seldom ocasions we get to see them, because they make us realize how far deep we have fallen into our production-consumption- super design for wastefullness craze.
Stellar piece on how capitalism's growth imperative has systematically engineered disposability into everyday objects. The pasta machine example perfectly illustrates what we've lost, not just in material terms but in our emotional relationship with things. I've noticed the same pattern in consumer electronics where planned obsolesence gets dressed up as 'innovation', when really its just forced upgrade cycles. The bit about durability being co-opted into luxury 'eco' markets is sharp too, we need systemic change not just premium alternatives for those who can afford conciousness.
Ohhhhh I have a Singer sewing machine, c.1920, a perfect example to match your pasta machine. A quiet, smooth-running, hand-driven machine of perfection, in contrast to my noisy, plastic, modern, electric Brother. Superb piece, thanks, with all the nuance and clarity needed to ground us at this (and every) Christmas carnage time. Thank you.
Thank you! These amazing venerable objects are truly inspiring, those seldom ocasions we get to see them, because they make us realize how far deep we have fallen into our production-consumption- super design for wastefullness craze.