Blog Entry #8

Slade Part 3

In the final section of Slade’s book, “Made to Break: Obsolescence in America,” Slade extends on the idea that obsolescence begins to become so normal to our society that it is needed to survive.  Throughout this part of the book Slade provides many examples where disposability is very noticeable.  He proves the idea ‘Made to Break; with the example of America becoming suspicious of Soviets innovations during the 1970s.

Specifically in chapter 8, “Weaponizing Planned Obsolescence” Slade uses the story of Gus Weiss in relation to the obsolescence of technology in America.  America became suspicious to the “imbalance in the overall number of inventions that existed between America and the Soviet Union” (page 231), and believed that the Soviets were stealing or illegally buying technology that America needed, the strategy that America took in order to react to their actions proves the example that new technology is needed in order to succeed and be the more dangerous party.

The initial belief that the Soviets had been gaining newer technology and innovations from America is what sparked our strategy during the Cold War.  We believed that if we developed the most sophisticated and newest forms of weapon systems as often as possible, then we would eventually beat out the Soviets economically.  Through this story, Slade’s uses of the example of Eisenhower’s opinion on upgrading our technology so much as a strategy of defense.  I believe this statement that we must intelligently plan where we will force certain types of technology goes parallel with Slade’s point; disposability becomes so common in society that it eventually is heavily relied on to succeed.  Ultimately, through the cold War “repetitive consumption and planned obsolescence became one of the mainstays of America’s geopolitical strategy” (page 232).  Eventually, our dedication to inventing the newest, most sophisticated, and most expensive equipment and technology is what “doomed” the Soviets to loose the strategic technological game.

The final section of Slade’s book really seemed to put all three of the sections that I read together.  The first two sections focused a lot on how our society has conditioned them into consistently buying new technology even if it is not needed.  The final part gave great examples of how continuously upgrading technology and other innovations can be a great defense against national attacks.  He provided many examples that helped me understand American disposability to a greater extent.  Our strategy against the Soviet’s seemed the most interesting to me as it justified the title of Slade’s book.  He proved that our technology, and other around the world, is “Made to Break” and that although it can have negative impacts on our society it has been beneficial to us in the past.