Made to Break: Technology and Obsolescence in America pgs 187-281

The last part of Made to Break: Technology and Obsolescence in America by Giles Slade discusses how the invention of computer chips has effected obsolescence, how weapons have planned obsolescence, how cell phones have effected obsolescence, and finally discusses the effects and how to deal with all these used electronics.  Slade goes through each of these technologies showing how once a new technology is introduced it eventually will leave the old devices using the old technology obsolete.  He then explains how this "e-waste" will keep on building and how unforeseen resource limitation are starting to present a problem.

The invention of the computer chip was the the beginning of technology obsolescence as we know it today.  The invention of the chip lead to forcing physical computing systems into obsolescence, such as the slide rule.  This does not seem to be that big of a deal, the extreme obsolescence came out once the personal computer started to be introduced to mainstream society.  When buying a computer, the two things one must balance out are cost and life-span of the computer.  It seems as if the cheaper the chips become in computers the easier it is for people to leave them obsolete, therefore allowing the life-span of a computer to shrink drastically without the consumer caring.  Slade shows this once apple released a personal computer that people seemed to buy just for one application that is offered.  The reason why this computer was also so attractive to the consumer was that it was not going to become obsolete instantly.  Now that the price for computers is dropping this life span is not as important.  The cell phone throws in an interesting element into things becoming obsolete, because cell phones have become another accessory to our everyday appearance.  Slade points out that cell phones have become like shoes, in the sense that most people are starting to have more than one pair.  It has become very common for people to have two cell phones, one for work and one for personal use.  They are also like shoes in the sense that they have become part of fashion.  Most people want to have clothes that are in fashion, for the same reason why people want phones that are current.  The actual reason is very unclear, but most people would not have it any other way than to be up to date.  This attitude leads to tremendous amounts of waste for obvious reasons.  In order to deal with the waste is a technology that can not be developed fast enough.  It is hard enough for the resources used to make electronics to be found since most people never thought certain types of metals used in these devices would ever be needed.  With all this time worrying about how to continue making these products and where is it possible to obtain the resources, how to get rid of the obsolete devices seems to be the last idea on the company's mind.  

When it comes to American culture it is clear to see how we are effected.  These technologies have become so current that they have entered this dark category we call "fashion."  Since our culture has taught us that "fashion" is so important no one bothers looking at the negative repercussions because being unfashionable is bad enough.