Made to Break III

Giles Slade’s chapter “Chips” from Made to Break, introduces the idea of “knowledge, training, and skill sets as victims of obsolescence”, however I didn’t feel as though he demonstrated this point as thoroughly as others in his book. Glades first sections summarize the origins of computers. These early beginnings, especially compared to modern times, were less focused on obsolescence and more concerned with invention and creation. Computer programs designed during this time period followed a similar pattern. The invention of spreadsheets, described on pages 205-6 , made it unnecessary to make similar charts by hand, saving time and increasing productivity. However, the skill of making and understanding charts has not really become obsolete. Spreadsheets are nothing but a page of rows and columns if a person does not understand how to impute and manipulate the information seen. The skills and knowledge required to work a spreadsheet by hand are also required on a computerized one. Slate’s argument of Word Processor changing typing seems to follow the pattern of one skill set replacing another. Slade’s assertion that “the ability to type flawlessly and quickly” (208) is lost may hold some validity, however the amount of people today who can and do type makes up for this lost. Women worked in typing pool, and traditionally the ones typing “40 to 60 flawless words per minute”(207). In today’s time most people may not type that fast or well, but most people type. Everyone in this class, male or female, writes a blog once a week demonstrating knowledge of this skill. Word Processor in the home introduced a new skill set, typing, to the general population. In addition, jobs still exist, for instance taking a deposition, which require a person to type quickly and without error. The skills required to make a spreadsheet or type are still present and available to the general population.
The following chapter contained a section on selling poor technologies to Russians during the Cold War, a questionable form of obsolescence. The intention of the inferior technologies was to malfunction, and stall Russian intelligence. While perhaps a form of obsolescence, these technologies were not sold with the intention of creating a mindset, but stalling a war and protecting America. In comparison, cell phones, which are often throwaway while still working for a newer version, demonstrates obsolescence as a consumer mindset. The problem of what to do with leftover technologies has global repercussions. Not only are American landfills infested with outdated and functional technologies, but poorer countries feel the effects of our consumerism. The processes of burning plastics taking place in “India, Pakistan and Bangladesh” (279) causes direct harm to these countries’ environments. However, the world shares its water and air, and the contamination of the environment is not limited to these countries. America exists in a society which craves the latest products, and everything from the economy to social networks encourages this mindset. Living in such a world it is easy to ignore the negative and global consequences of instant gratification.