Now if only Apple (and the likes of it) with its millions of iPhone sales each year would practice more of the meaning of the text of this blog entry's title and it'd be perfect. Right now I just think of them as designing for the sake of selling, not necessarily to improve my life (despite all that marketing), and the environment around us.
I mean what's the point of buying a new -- and might I add costly -- smartphone when a new version of it comes out some months later anyway? You pay so much only to find next year there'd be new features your device can't possibly have. And the year after, and the year after it, and the after that, too and so on. I mean really, do we really even need those? And all the while, your first device actually still works fine. They just make it so that it's not compatible with some app or other that you're forced to get a new one.
And what happens to last year's models then if each iPhone owner changed models each year? And these are millions of owners. Not just 5 million. It's the size of many individual countries' populations. Do they get recycled?
Do upgrades mean surrendering them to the provider for recycling. And is it actual recycling or a type of recycling where they only get shipped out to a developing country for it to take care of the toxic side of things.. like outsourcing the dirty side of it?
Does anyone even care to ask before they go get a new model the next year? Does Apple (and its ilk) even have a system or process in place to manage these and be a more responsible manufacturer/designer of such goods?
Since I moved to a place in the northern hemisphere some years ago, I do notice many things that should probably be done away with. Other cases in point:
- Ikea's probably millions of candles in glass being one of those. So same goes to Bath and Bodyworks (and the awful cheap smell coming out of their candles). Gah. I find they're really such a waste. They should sell the candles without those millions of glass. Are they even recycled glass?
- Cushion throws are another... Pilllows or throws should be designed so that you can change the covers.. not be forced to get rid of it 'cause you don't like the cover anymore.
- Fashion - there's only so much seasonal items one must get each year and thereafter. I've enough summer items so far so I don't really bother adding anymore
Anyhow, I guess I'm just one of those people who prefer living with less
clutter. And that influences my purchase decisions. I'm sort of a minimalist but not that extreme. I have my fair
share of design junk, but I don't make it a point to change them
regularly nor get the latest this, or latest that. I tend to think that
people who do really don't have anything else to do and must be bored
with their lives.
Even now, I don't generally buy books anymore. When I do, it won't be
the throwaway sort. They would have dual purpose Art, design and
architecture books for example (usually hardcovers). You get knowledge
yet at the same time, they're good decors in the home. Hehe. Unlike
paperbacks that I probably would throwaway if I didn't think it's
wasteful since I don't reread books I bought, or donate them.
And my home decor or fixtures, usually are from trips overseas. Then it feels like they've more significance and thus worth the buy, or splurge. There'd be stories behind them. And that's fun and gives the place more character.
screenshot of an image search online
It's good to see that Helsinki's Iitala has similar design thoughts. And sometimes, ironically, Ikea. But the technology ones, not really. In the end let's just say it's always better to spend money on experience than on another item one doesn't really need or has no special meaning or importance to oneself.
