Modern planned obsolescence includes: • Printers programmed to stop after certain usage • Non-replaceable batteries • Software incompatibility with older devices • Proprietary parts that limit repairs The strategy keeps evolving...

In 1923, Alfred P. Sloan became president of General Motors. At the time, Henry Ford dominated the auto industry with his Model T. Ford believed in making cars that would last as long as possible. Sloan saw an opportunity that would change consumerism forever...

The Model T was built for durability. You could drive it for years with minimal issues. But Sloan realized something profound: Durable products hurt profits. If cars lasted too long, people wouldn't buy new ones. So he devised an ingenious plan:

Instead of competing on durability, GM would compete on style. Every year, they'd release new models with changes: • Fresh paint colors • Updated features • Sleeker designs The goal? Make last year's perfectly good car feel outdated. But here's where it gets interesting:

Under Sloan's leadership, GM focused on annual model changes. Each new release made previous models seem obsolete. This wasn't just about aesthetics - it was about creating a cycle of continuous purchasing. The results transformed the industry:

By 1937, GM's market share grew from 12% to over 40%. Sloan had proven his strategy worked: Create products people would want to replace. Other industries took notice. Soon, this approach spread far beyond cars...

Take the lightbulb industry. In the 1920s, lightbulbs could last 2,000 hours. But manufacturers formed the Phoebus cartel. They deliberately reduced bulb life to 1,000 hours. The reason? To increase sales and profits.

Today, planned obsolescence takes three forms: 1. Functional: Products designed with limited lifespans 2. Technological: Software updates that affect older devices 3. Psychological: Marketing that makes current products feel outdated Each type serves one purpose:

To maintain consistent consumer demand. Modern examples are everywhere: • Batteries that degrade over time • Software updates that affect performance • Features exclusive to newer models This isn't coincidence. It's strategy. The environmental impact is significant:

Electronic waste will reach 74 million metric tons by 2030. Only 20% gets properly recycled. The rest contributes to environmental contamination through toxic materials. All because products aren't designed to last. Some countries are taking action:

France has made planned obsolescence illegal, with fines up to €300,000. The EU requires manufacturers to declare product lifespans. But in most places, the practice continues. And technology has made it more sophisticated:

But here's what's really happening: This isn't just about innovation. It's about controlling consumer behavior. By controlling product lifespan, companies control purchasing cycles. That's the real impact of Sloan's strategy:

He didn't just create a business model. He transformed consumer culture. Where replacement became preferable to repair & where new products are valued over maintaining existing ones. Where continuous consumption became normal... But the world Sloan created is dying:

Today's consumers are tired of being exploited. They're tired of corporate speak, AI-generated content and business conspiracies. They want authenticity. Transparency. Real value. And smart founders are catching on to something powerful:

In a world of planned obsolescence, trust has become the most valuable currency. But here's what most don't realize: Building trust at scale isn't about fancy marketing or PR campaigns. It's about showing up consistently and sharing your authentic journey.

The companies winning today? They're led by founders who: • Build in public • Share their insights openly • Create genuine connections Why? Because people buy from people they trust. Building trust is this generation's competitive moat. Ready to build yours?

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Thanks for reading! A bit about me: 2 years ago, I cofounded @ThoughtleadrX — a premium personal branding agency for world-class founders, executives, and investors looking to dominate socials. If you enjoyed this, hit "follow" for more breakdowns!

@timjcarden Your comments here illustrate a lack of understanding on software and hardware engineering. Your vision of computing would still have us in an 8 bit world.

Want to help me throw my printer into the ocean?

its grounded in our system of trust. we use money because we distrust people. we distrust people because we use money