Comments | fgnord: Corroding faucets and the economy

fgnord

Corroding faucets and the economy

Jan 29, 2008 15:44

Today, years worth of chlorine in the Naperville water finally ate through the cartridge behind the shower faucet (if that's the right terminology - that's how the plumber described it). A nifty $400 repair job later and we're back up and running ... for at least 90 days, which is how long the warranty lasts for ( Read more... )

Comments 14

fallen42 January 29 2008, 22:33:59 UTC

My guess is that making parts that don't last as long is cheaper as well.

fgnord January 30 2008, 02:21:44 UTC

Probably true, and even if it isn't that would probably be their public justification for it. I'd be surprised, though, if water heaters that last 20 years are four times more expensive than those which last 5 years. If not, it would still make more sense to build the 20 year models ... ignoring any desire for extra profit from making people buy replacements.

Of course, I really know nothing about this industry. All I have to go on is what this stranger told me. Purely speculation on my part.

robini January 29 2008, 23:21:46 UTC

why isn't it preferable to have everyone work 20 hours a week, but who may not miss their reduced $ as much because they aren't having to constantly buy things that are no longer neededWhat would we do with that extra time? The sad answer for most Americans (myself included) is either "watch more TV" (and see more advertising) or "shop". Even "healthy" leisurely pursuits like biking and reading and travel require supplies ( ... )

robini January 29 2008, 23:23:30 UTC

also, this is an interesting (and HIGHLY amusing) comedic British take on the subprime mortgage fiasco:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ_qK4g6ntM

George Parr Youtube link.

fgnord January 30 2008, 03:00:51 UTC

Looks amusing, I'll have to check out the video when I get home from work ( ... )

fallen42 January 30 2008, 03:41:21 UTC

My sense of the matter is that growth is absolutely necessary for a capitalist society. Without growth capitalism is a zero sum game. In that context, the players that start with more capital will use it to wrest more from those with less capital since they can't compete for a slice of the non-existent growth. If growth were to stop, I don't think it would be long before power would consolidate and give birth to neo-feudalist society.

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