We can’t, however, only blame the quantity and quality of Chinese goods for the environmental and other consequences of this transoceanic factory-to-waste stream. For that we can blame the two horsemen of the modern consumer apocalypse: functional obsolescence and fashion obsolescence.

Functional, or planned obsolescence is the purposeful decision by designers and manufacturers to ensure things don’t last, so that consumers must buy new ones. Fashion obsolescence is the related decision to offer new features and aesthetic changes to entice consumers to discard their old items in favor of updated and supposedly better ones.

via Built to Trash — In These Times.

This is a really good article. When you hear about planned obsolescence going back decades it make one shudder. In the past it might have been tolerable when America was a manufacturing colossus. Now it poses great threats to the world. Personally, I hate when clothing I buy does not last but a few months! I want heirloom-design and long lasting products.