Made to Break Chapter 2

The main theme for Chapter 2 was the inception of planned obsolescence in the automobile industry, which then moved into everyday life for the average American. Like any student who has gone through the biased and rather pathetically presented history classes of high school, I have heard of Henry Ford and his Model T. I also knew about the company General Motors, but in a modern sense, I had no idea that it has been around since the beginning. I also was never aware of the war that occurred between Alfred Sloan, (a new character to me), and Henry Ford. The fact that all of it was so well planned and orchestrated is amazing and alarming, poor Ford never knew what was coming. While the idea of planned obsolescence bothers me, at the same time, I’m a digital technology major, and digital technology is something that can change hourly in certain cases. I also like the idea of all the changes that were made at the time. The electric starter and the air cooled engine are amazing advances in technology that made it possible for women to drive as well, something I appreciate greatly. The world was changing, and as much as I admire Henry Ford, it was inevitable that we moved past the Model T to cars that would suit the needs of the changing economy.

The idea of the pride and shame of advertising was presented very well, and I have been aware of it all my life, as have most people, I just never brought it down to the basic level, pride and shame. It makes perfect sense, and what modern child on the playground or in the lunch room hasn’t experienced both feelings in regards to the latest prepackaged food in the cafeteria, clothing item, or school supplies. The idea of product addiction is rampant from the earliest ages of awareness to either the deathbed, the maturity of understanding, or past the age of caring.

The book set a very good foundation for the beginning of planned obsolescence. When referenced to the video clips we watched in class it is interesting and scary to see what planned obsolescence has become. I wonder what Alfred Sloan, despite not having the moral scruples of Henry Ford, would think if he had a chance to see what had become of America after his ideas went nation wide. I wonder if he would feel any guilt or remorse.

Probably not, but you never know, maybe later in life on his deathbed, he might have felt some twinge or regret.