OBSOLESCENCE
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 2341 ▶ |
| Object type | General information, Human sciences |
The characteristic of an artifact or technique which cannot anymore compete with more efficient newer ones.
Obsolescence started being merely a result of moderate technical evolution, as for example, for stage coaches being slowly replaced by motorized vehicles, or transoceanic liners by airplanes.
However, it is now a much more intricated systemic problem. First, capitalist economic dynamics introduced covert “planned obsolescence” as a way to foster early renewal of durable artifacts.
Now, the acceleration of technical progress is generating “non-planned obsolescence”, as still very usable and not yet duly written-off artifacts are turned non-cost effective by new appliances.
The classical model of life-cycle is consequently no longer valid. As a result obsolescence must now be considered a time-binded systemic situation that introduces new types of constraints (and stresses) in economy and in society, which should become a subject of research.