The erosion of quality in modern consumer goods

We live in a world where quality no longer seems to matter as much as it once did. A recent visit to a high-end clothing store revealed this stark reality. While my wife was browsing, I decided to count how many loose threads I could find on the new garments on display. The sheer number was shocking. This observation is not just about clothing; it reflects a broader trend affecting many products and services.

This trend aligns with the concept of planned obsolescence, where companies intentionally design products to fail after a certain period. As Gabriel Alonso, author of Design for the Real World, notes, "Planned obsolescence is not just a strategy for the manufacturers to increase sales; it's a deliberate attempt to create a consumer culture of constant replacement". For instance, the light bulb is a classic example. Technically, a light bulb can be designed to last much longer, as evidenced by the Centennial Light in Livermore, California, which has been burning since 1901. This is proof that longevity is possible, but it is often not pursued.

The decline in food quality is another area of concern. Ice cream, for example, used to be rich and creamy, but now it often tastes like air. Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, observes that "industrial food production has led to a dramatic decrease in the quality of many food products, as the emphasis shifts from taste and nutrition to cost-cutting and efficiency". This degradation in quality is compounded by shrinkflation, where products shrink in size but maintain their price. NPR highlights this phenomenon: “Shrinkflation means consumers are getting less for their money, with many products shrinking in size but not in price”.

The same trend is evident in the workplace. The focus on quantity over quality is disheartening. As Daniel Kahneman, author of Thinking, Fast and Slow, points out, “In many work environments, the quantity of output is valued over the quality, leading to a reduction in overall excellence and job satisfaction”. The quality of work is often overshadowed by the sheer volume of output, and this devaluation of skill and quality is baffling.

Despite these trends, there is still hope. Many individuals and small businesses are committed to producing high-quality products. Elinor Ostrom, Nobel laureate and author of Governing the Commons, emphasizes the role of local economies: “Local markets and small businesses often provide more personalized and higher-quality products because they are driven by passion rather than profit margins”. These small enterprises, such as farmers' markets and local shops, can often afford to offer better quality because they are not bound by the same profit-driven constraints as large corporations.

Critics argue that brick-and-mortar stores are becoming obsolete, with more people shopping online. Shoshana Zuboff, author of The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, notes, “Online shopping platforms often create the illusion of deals while actually profiting from the lower quality of goods and the higher markups associated with their sales”. The reality is that many online deals are not truly advantageous, as they often come with compromises in quality and value.

The decline in product quality reflects a larger systemic issue. As Noam Chomsky points out, “The exploitation of workers and consumers is a fundamental aspect of contemporary capitalist economies, manifesting in the form of planned obsolescence and the prioritization of profit over quality”. The high markups and exploitation inherent in many business practices contribute to the erosion of quality across various sectors.

Ultimately, while the broader market may be dominated by profit-driven motives, there remains a vibrant sector of small businesses and passionate individuals who strive to uphold higher standards of quality. As consumers, recognizing and supporting these efforts can be a way to counteract the prevailing trends of degradation.

Foot notes

- Alonso, G. (1974). _Design for the Real World_. Pantheon Books.
- Live Science. (2023). _The Centennial Light_. Retrieved from [Live Science](https://www.livescience.com).
- NPR. (2023). _Shrinkflation: What It Is and How It Affects You_. Retrieved from [NPR](https://www.npr.org).
- Pollan, M. (2006). _The Omnivore’s Dilemma_. Penguin Books.
- Kahneman, D. (2011). _Thinking, Fast and Slow_. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
- Ostrom, E. (1990). _Governing the Commons_. Cambridge University Press.
- Zuboff, S. (2019). _The Age of Surveillance Capitalism_. PublicAffairs.
- Chomsky, N. (2015). _Who Rules the World?_. Metropolitan Books.