The printing press was invented in the 1400s. The telegraph, telephone and camera were invented in the 1800s, the radio and television in the 1900s, and all else was invented since then.
Throughout time, inventions lend themselves to competition. As soon as radio broadcasted, television broadcasted.
However, one important element of technology has been lost, and that is quality. It has been missing in action for quite some time now.
It may have started with the little materialistic items, but I first noticed the change with VCRs.
Most would think it wise to buy an expensive VCR because it would last longer; however, they find themselves purchasing a new VCR every four to six months.
My $100 dollar VCR lasted approximately five years before it retired. I concluded that cheap technology took pride in their quality and affordability, but that soon dissipated. After my VCR retired, I bought a TV, VCR, and DVD combination set. Needless to say, after six months, it became only a TV/DVD set.
With all the brand names and new technologies in the market mix, manufacturers only focus on rapidly getting products off the line and into consumers’ homes. Quality has been abandoned.
Not only has the VCR become a waste of precious money, DVD players are also deteriorating. My brother is on his third DVD player of the year. It doesn’t matter how much is invested; technology is crap.
Even expensive big screen HDTVs require $500 dollars of yearly maintenance. One would have to be rich to keep up with these toys.
My $80 dollar MP3 player was bought fried, which made for a nice Christmas gift. ATM machines munch on deposited monies, furniture snaps and breaks down, and Cadillac Escalades screw with people’s minds with all the electronic malfunctions.
The list is eternal, but there is nothing that can be done. Quality rests in the hands of manufacturers.
Though technology consumption is painful, I still remain a consumer with one rule for all to follow: Do not spend any money that you can’t afford to lose because you will likely lose it.