Why Does Everything Break So Soon?
Stop accepting it. Demand durability and real recycling.
From the perspective of a future where every object has a second life, the past seems incomprehensible. Why were products designed to die early? The documentary Comprar, tirar, comprar (Buy, Throw Away, Buy) exposed the hidden foundations of an economy obsessed with consumption—even at the planet’s expense. And the worst part? We’re still manufacturing that way, as if there’s no tomorrow. And it's not just my opinion—we're already seeing and feeling the consequences firsthand.
Key Facts from the Documentary
In 1924, the Phoebus cartel agreed to limit the lifespan of light bulbs to 1,000 hours.
Nylon stockings, originally nearly indestructible, were redesigned to tear more easily.
Printers were fitted with chips that blocked them after a set number of copies.
The case of the iPod, whose battery couldn’t be replaced, led to a class-action lawsuit.
Impact on the Planet
The documentary shows the massive export of electronic waste to Ghana, labeled as “second-hand goods.”
Children exposed to toxic materials, polluted rivers, and communities harmed by a model that prioritizes sales over sustainability.
Ethical and Forward-Looking Reflections
Engineers torn between the duty to design the best and the pressure to design for profit.
From the Phoebus cartel to the iPod, the disposable mindset dominated the 20th century.
Editor’s Note:
This piece connects with a reflection I shared on LinkedIn about the dilemma between repairing and replacing. A breaking point that still defines the direction of our consumption.
More and more people are realizing that designing products to fail isn’t an accident—it’s a choice. But so is changing direction.
Choosing durable, repairable, and transparent products isn’t nostalgia—it’s conscious innovation.
Because the future—the one we want to build—starts with every decision we make today.
What if you knew the printer you’re buying today is designed to fail in three years?
FUTURE IN US Challenge:
Before buying something new, ask yourself if you can repair, update, or donate it.
See you in the next edition of FUTURE IN US.