From clothes to tech, why is everything so poorly made?
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Maybe you’ve noticed: In the past 10 years everything we buy from clothes to technology has gotten just a little bit worse. Sweaters are more likely to tear. Phones are more likely to break. Smart toasters and TVs burn out and die after only a few years. It might seem like consumer products just aren’t built to last anymore. What’s going on?
Unfortunately (and fortunately!), part of the problem is us. For decades, we’ve been conditioned to buy, buy, buy, and today it’s normal for many consumers to shop for new clothes at least once a month. In order to keep up, many companies have to prioritize making things in the fastest and least expensive way possible. To do that, they cut corners with materials and labor. In turn, quality suffers, which leaves consumers with a lot of *** things.
The story with technology is a little different. And the biggest difference is that while no one in fashion is saying you’re not allowed to sew a new button on a shirt, many tech companies have actually made it impossible to repair their products.
The good news is consumers have a surprising amount of control over this situation. Watch the video to learn more.
Check out the original article from Izzie Ramirez on Vox.com: https://www.vox.com/the-goods/23529587/consumer-goods-quality-fast-fashion-technology
Repair.org is Gay Gordon Byrne’s association that’s fighting for your right to repair.
For more on the right to repair bill in New York State there are some articles here:
https://www.engadget.com/new-york-right-to-repair-law-kathy-hochul-184654713.html
https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/29/23530733/right-to-repair-law-new-york-tech-hochul-oems-parts
While I didn’t spend much time on Fast Fashion for this piece, I did love these articles:
https://catapult.co/stories/haley-e-d-houseman-clothing-costs-labor-materials-handmade-homemade-factory-made
https://www.wired.com/story/fast-cheap-out-of-control-inside-rise-of-shein/
This article from Vogue did a great job breaking down what things actually costs:
https://www.vogue.com/article/what-is-the-right-price-for-fashion
I also highly recommend following Cora Harrington (@lingerie_addict) and Derek Guy (@dieworkwear) on twitter for more hot takes on the fashion industry.
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Subscribe and turn on notifications đź”” so you don't miss any videos: http://goo.gl/0bsAjO
Maybe you’ve noticed: In the past 10 years everything we buy from clothes to technology has gotten just a little bit worse. Sweaters are more likely to tear. Phones are more likely to break. Smart toasters and TVs burn out and die after only a few years. It might seem like consumer products just aren’t built to last anymore. What’s going on?
Unfortunately (and fortunately!), part of the problem is us. For decades, we’ve been conditioned to buy, buy, buy, and today it’s normal for many consumers to shop for new clothes at least once a month. In order to keep up, many companies have to prioritize making things in the fastest and least expensive way possible. To do that, they cut corners with materials and labor. In turn, quality suffers, which leaves consumers with a lot of *** things.
The story with technology is a little different. And the biggest difference is that while no one in fashion is saying you’re not allowed to sew a new button on a shirt, many tech companies have actually made it impossible to repair their products.
The good news is consumers have a surprising amount of control over this situation. Watch the video to learn more.
Check out the original article from Izzie Ramirez on Vox.com: https://www.vox.com/the-goods/23529587/consumer-goods-quality-fast-fashion-technology
Repair.org is Gay Gordon Byrne’s association that’s fighting for your right to repair.
For more on the right to repair bill in New York State there are some articles here:
https://www.engadget.com/new-york-right-to-repair-law-kathy-hochul-184654713.html
https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/29/23530733/right-to-repair-law-new-york-tech-hochul-oems-parts
While I didn’t spend much time on Fast Fashion for this piece, I did love these articles:
https://catapult.co/stories/haley-e-d-houseman-clothing-costs-labor-materials-handmade-homemade-factory-made
https://www.wired.com/story/fast-cheap-out-of-control-inside-rise-of-shein/
This article from Vogue did a great job breaking down what things actually costs:
https://www.vogue.com/article/what-is-the-right-price-for-fashion
I also highly recommend following Cora Harrington (@lingerie_addict) and Derek Guy (@dieworkwear) on twitter for more hot takes on the fashion industry.
Make sure you never miss behind the scenes content in the Vox Video newsletter, sign up here: http://vox.com/video-newsletter
Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com
Support Vox's reporting with a one-time or recurring contribution: http://vox.com/contribute-now
Shop the Vox merch store: http://vox.com/store
Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE
Follow Vox on Facebook: http://facebook.com/vox
Follow Vox on Twitter: http://twitter.com/voxdotcom
Follow Vox on TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@voxdotcom
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