Planned Obsolescence
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
Manufacturers deliberately limit the useful life of a product during design (e.g., non-replaceable batteries, software updates that slow down devices), forcing consumers to repurchase after a certain period.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
- Consumerism trap: Realize that your phone slowing down is not an accident but a conspiracy. This inspires us to think in business model design: whether to profit from durability (brand premium) or from fast-moving consumer goods (repurchase rate)?
Anchor fast decisions
By designing limited lifespan (fragile parts, non-repairability, software obsolescence) to create repurchase demand, converting one-time transactions into continuous cash flow. Its viability depends on information asymmetry and replacement costs being higher than repair costs.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescenceverified
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