How many things seem of lower quality (not as long lasting) these days than they did about 30 years ago. And how, if a device breaks down, often it can no longer be repaired because components aren't available separately (because they only support newer models), or at a cost for which you might as well purchase an entirely new device.
It's called Planned Obsolescence. And it's used for just about everything. One of the best examples I can give: my old NES from 1986. It still works today. So do the controllers... those controllers went through my entire childhood all the way to my mid 20s, and were still used a fair bit afterward. They are still in great working order. We have a Nintendo Switch, and have had it since Christmas of 2019. I'm on my SIXTH controller. The only way to explain how the same company putting out a similar product 30 years apart with the older one still working perfectly while current era products can't last more than a year is planned obsolescence, to force people to keep buying things instead of having things that last a long time.
I know, and even while I understand the economic reasons behind it, it frustrates me to no end. To have to buy a new mobile phone because replacing the near-breakdown battery would be more expensive. To find that, after one of my razor blades got missing of my 10 yo razor, buying set of new ones would cost about half of what it would cost to buy an entire new shaver, which might be the smarter move anyways since I know that old shaver won't have eternal life either - once again that planned obsolescence. It's not the money itself that frustrates me (I won't spend a sleepless night over that) but the way the system is set up to be wasteful.
I actually do not understand the economic reason behind it. It's just a form of greed... keeping people locked into buying things because they are not built to last. Granted, it keeps people employed because you have to keep manufacturing stuff. But there are other ways and things to do to keep them employed. And as you said, it's completely wasteful. Earth has finite resources. We should use them a bit more smartly.
Most animals don't even have the ability to question whether killing another animal is morally wrong. Actors on instinct without any abstract sense of identity. They kill each other all the time for sustenance and we are supposed to feel bad about doing the same? Where do you draw the line? Plants are alive too. Is antibacterial soap mass murder? You show me an animal that resists its instinct to kill something because it is immoral, I'll stop eating that animal. And no, killing an animal with one quick stroke or a single shot to the heart is far less cruel than the way big factories do it.
The difference is that the other animals kill one at a time, and some will spend days eating one animal. They also don't raise other animals, and keep them locked up in horrible traditions and treat them like shit the until they kill them. And when predators hunt an animal, the prey has a chance to escape, we do not give them that chance. And we have plenty of alternatives out there that can give us everything we get out of animals, without having to exploit animals.
I made the mistake of watching what happened to Enzo, and got a rather disturbing reminder of how absolutely fucking horrible people are.
Maybe without the loser - boyfriend you'll have fewer migraines. If he is truly "ghosting" you, then he sounds very immature so you're probably better off without him . Not that it makes it any less frustrating . Sorry. ((hugs))
I'm not a vegetarian, and I don't think I'll ever become one. We're omnivores, and eating animals is a natural part of our existence. The fact that you have to be careful if you stop eating meat to ensure you still get the right nutrients also is an indication to me our natural diet includes meat. But I do think it would be a good idea to consume a lot less of it than the average Westerner does today (a reduction by 90% or so), that such a change would be mostly beneficial. Health benefits for ourselves, environmental benefits for the rest of the planet, and less animal suffering, given all those industries committed to 'producing' meat for dump prices and neglecting the quality of animal life. And consequently, on those occasions where we do eat meat (once per week, say), to value (and to respect that an animal gave its life for it) it a lot more than we do today, and be prepared to pay higher prices if that allows those animals we eat a decent life beforehand. The only obstacle is I happen to like meat a lot, and that it's quite hard for me to give it up. And I suppose I'm not the only one.
That's your choice, and I really don't hold anything against people who do eat meat. I'm really not trying to convert or shame anybody here who does eat meat. Just sharing my perspective as a vegan.
How often do you get texts wanting political contributions? Just got one from a candidate who is in a different state.
Was diagnosed with sleep apnea. FUCK. A person is coming over tomorrow to bring me a CPAP machine and show me how it works. It cost $302 dollars for a year.