Hello, my name is Joseph Schlee, and I believe that the economic practice of planned obsolescence needs to change.

A relatable example can be seen in the common lightbulb. Most of us must have experienced the common phenomena of turning a light switch on, only to be greeted to a brighter than average flash and a small twang. All too familiar, we grab the pack of spare bulbs from under the sink and the nearest stepladder. Some lights never get fixed, such as that one light you’ll “get around too fixing.” What if you were told things don’t have to be this way?

The Centennial Light, a product of its time.  Produced by the Shelby Electric company, in the late 1800s.  This company prided themselves on the longevity of their lightbulbs, and they were right to do so.  One is still burning today, continuously providing light for over 100 years.  Business executives quickly enacted the International Association of Lightbulb Prices, which enforced an artificial life span on all lightbulbs.  This lifespan was 1,000 hours, 200 less than Edison's first lightbulb which was created decades ago from this point.

"Expected life span", or "date purchased" stickers on a mattress is a good example of psychological obsolescence.  While the product remains fine, the need for a new version or product is constantly instilled on the consumer.

I would like to propose a solution, one that creates a market that benefits both sides of the argument. This is a complex issue that involves many different factors.  I envision a society focused on both types of products, ones made to break and ones made to last.  Consumers could choose their preference, and the price distribution could represent the "possible age" of a product.

Regardless of the solution, something needs to change and we need your help.  By signing this petition, you are helping to raise awareness of this problem, and hopefully one day we can break free from this wasteful cycle.

- speaking of waste, chapter 9 of Made to Break by Giles Slade addresses this issue from the perspective of technology, such as phones and computers.

Thank you for reading!  If you would like to learn more about Planned obsolescence, here are some articles and books that helped me form my argument.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160612-heres-the-truth-about-the-planned-obsolescence-of-tech​

https://www.amazon.com/Made-Break-Technology-Obsolescence-America/dp/0674025725​

https://www.priceonomics.com/the-mysterious-case-of-the-113-year-old-light-bulb/