lifetime guarantee anyone?

Once upon a time much equipment was built to last. Witness the old washing machines and such in museums. But precious few now last very long. My printer broke down last week. I bought it new just two years ago.

What is the prospect of getting equipment that is built to last longer? After all, it would mean using less resources, and less need for recycling or waste tips (aka landfill). But alas no. After all, the job of consumers is to consume. That means the manufacturers bringing out new models every year and making the older models obsolete.

Our consumer society

I am saddened, but not surprised, that so many people seem intent on ruining themselves and those around them. This was brought home to me yesterday by two things that I saw. The first was a set of comments by motorists who feel that the way (ie speed) they drive or the petrol consumption of the vehicle they choose to drive is of no concern of any one else.
The second was a trip I made to a local electrical store, looking for a new hi-fi unit as the one we have has finally broken down. I was shocked to find that most units had a power output well over ten times the value of our current system (and even that I have never turned up to top volume in our large living room)!

I was brought up to think of the consequences of my actions, and to think of other people before myself. Am I in a minority, then? If so, what hope is there for our planet?