Chinese boy sells Kidney to buy iPad 3

[Krieg]

A lot of these "must have" devices are manufactured needs with built-in obsolescence.
Gods forbid you buy a device that will last you 10 years with few minor upgrades to keep it going.

[Wyldethang]

Meh. I've never felt the need to keep up with the Smiths and the Jones'.

[BigD47]

Originally Posted by Krieg

A lot of these "must have" devices are manufactured needs with built-in obsolescence.
Gods forbid you buy a device that will last you 10 years with few minor upgrades to keep it going.

The order of the day is called planned obsolescence. It's a marketing strategy.

[Krieg]

Originally Posted by BigD47

The order of the day is called planned obsolescence. It's a marketing strategy.

Aye, and though I should be surprised the average consumer submits to this, I am not.

[BigD47]

Their marketing pressure is to not buy. Consumer protection is a sham. If you don't buy, you're told you contribute to the economic slowdown. I haven't seen much in the way of truth for a long time.

[Krieg]

It would seem to me, and this applies to ANY country, that IF your going to send manufacturing and research jobs outside of your country, thus depriving your citizens of work, thus depriving them of the funds needed to buy these self-destructive devices, you are going to have an economic slowdown.

Or is it better to have people go needlessly in debt just to promote some whimiscal ideal that you "need" these devices?

[mumbles]

Krieg you hit the nail on the head, Our politicians want us to go needlessly into debt Mainly because there the same people that run the banks and credit card companies. And its both sides of the aisle republicans and democrats alike.

[kutch13]

Hmm I have had an itouch for 3 years no problems. Mumbles a politician does not make you go in debt only you do that. People need to take control of what they can and stop bitching about things they make no effort to resolve. I have no debt owe nothing to anyone and buy things I like after I research to find out the overall cost and approx. life of purchase then decide if its a smart choice for me. This seems like an easy concept, don't buy what you don't need or can not afford.. Big diffrence between want and need it's a shame parents don't enforce that as much as they should...

[Krieg]

Speaking of debt.. loathing to brag but I have an A credit rating, not as good as A+, but it is enough to have banks offer me more than what I apply for when asking for a loan.

I believe it was BigD whom said I was almost Amish in my views towards credit, debt, etc etc.
But it really boils down to my perspective. When you borrow money you are using money from the collective, other peoples' money. You are honour bound to repay that back as fast as you can. Credit cards, in my opinion, are reserved for large ticket items, like buying major appliances, water heaters, furnaces and the like.
I can count on one hand the number of times I have bought stuff online, and I have dutifully paid back the money.
And I must drive the Credit Card companies crazy when I flat out refuse to get a higher credit limit, or take out more cards.
Money is a necessary "evil" in society. It is best to keep a firm tight lid on that particular bugaboo.
Hence the reason why I have what is considered an excellent credit rating.

Take ONLY what you need, replace what you borrow, and share what you have in abundance.
Point being, if you are horrificly in debt, you should not be going out to procur the latest gadget simply because popular culture demands you should have it.
Popular culture is inhabited with sheep whom are discontent with their own lives and seek external stimulation and gratification through the possession of objects and the glorification of those whom have said possessions.

I'm sure many of you realize there is a vast science evolved to get you to buy stuff you don't need. It is based on lies, duplicity, and ego.

IF I was Emperor of the planet I would gather all those whom make a living off of lying, such as marketing, and have their tongues removed.

So it is of little surprise to me to read stories such as the one in the OP. Yet another sheep dying the death of a dumb ass just to possess a thing.

Now I know this rambles into the realm of Fantasy, but if people suddenly stopped for a moment, and demanded that items be made with quality and durability in mind, not "planned obsolescence", the whole system would need to rethink itself.

Again, Realms of Fantasy.

meh, think I've rambled on enough, might get back to this topic later.

[bahumbas]

Originally Posted by Wyldethang

I must not even be human. I have no desire to have an IPOD, an IPAD, a Kindle, a flat screen tv, a WII, a DVR, or a smart phone. I'm happy with the basics. I've had some of the other stuff, but it all comes down to being stuff.

Give me a cell, a laptop, a couple of good books, and some good cooking appliances, and I'm happy as a clam.

That's pretty much how I see the world.