If you are not familiar with the term, you should be. The concept was developed in the mid 1920′s at the height of the boom of mass production. Mass production depends on consumerism for profit. Small niche (“ma and pa”) type businesses depend on inevitable product decay and repairability. The tycoons of the twenties, aware of this, set out to create a society of consumers to ensure the longevity of their businesses. They rigged their systems so that products were forced into obsolescence. For example, a computer company develops a new high powered processor. If you put it into your old computer, this shot of digital adrenalin would make your computer run as fast as the slick new machines on the shelves of Best Buy. But the computer company makes the chip in new shape that will not fit the space provide in your current computer. New programs require higher processor speeds, so you are forced to upgrade. Since you cannot upgrade your processor due to its unfriendly new shape, you are force to buy a complete brand new computer. Planned obsolescence. You are a victim.
At times, I feel like the whole human (namely American) social relational structure is somehow undergoing a process of planned obsolescence. Think about it…you used to talk to your best friend for hours on the phone, girding and strengthening the relationship in interpersonal communication. Now, as you rush about your day you send a profusion of terse text messages. You used to have a few close friends that you kept in touch with on a daily to weekly basis. Now you have a cache of friends, half of whom you barely know, sitting in your Facebook account. Because you can’t get to all of them, but feel the need to, your time is divided. Where you used to spend ten hours a week building and strengthening relationships with 10-20 individuals, you now spend that same amount of time leaving trivial comments on the pages of 300 – 400 peripheral “friends.” Houses used to be built with enormous porches to accommodate a larger gathering of neighbors on a summer’s night. Modern structures relegate the porch to nothing more than a stoop, reflecting the sentiment of intentional isolation.
Now think about the pub/bar scene.
In a recent article, Mike exposed the need for politicians to spend some time dissecting issues in the friendly and free atmosphere of a pub. His point is valid. But politicians aren’t the only cultural subgroup in need of a beer from a friendly bartender. Grass roots are needed in the public sector as well.
Think about it. The small neighborhood pub where Jack and Jane used to go to grab a beer and discuss anything and everything from their kids, to God, to the president is gone, only to be replaced by a monstrously cold building with loud music that drowns out any legitimate conversation and red bulls with vodka. Relationship building is not possible in this setting. It is possible to get drunk, act like a fool, and hook up with that lucky somebody who could quite possibly be your next one night stand, venereal disease, or divorce.
The point is, we as Americans spend little to no time really getting to know one another and talking about meaningful things. Possibly the best place and setting is a pub or a quiet bar (one without big plasma tv’s and/or throbbing techno music) around a pint of quality beer. One doesn’t have to make an evening out of it. Just imagine if everyone took two nights a week to grab a beer with a close friend after work or dinner for an hour. I have a feeling they would become smarter, more socially fulfilled (more so than any ‘social networking’ site could offer), and develop deeper more profound understandings of all things philosophical, spiritual and political.
So put down that keyboard, stop reading from your favorite beer blog, and call that buddy whose myspace page is plastered with your clever and witty one liners, and go grab a beer! Save yourself from the obsolesence of meaingful social interaction!
I have to admit that many of the most memorable conversations I have ever had occurred in pubs. I must also confess that they didn;t always start out as the most intellectually productive conversations. But perhaps there’s a correlation. When we spend time in communion with one another, we know not to take one another too seriously in all but the most crucial subjects. An awkward disagreement over the quality of the paving job down on Maple Street is easily solved with a pat on the back while the question of God’s role in government is able to be focused on with an intensity that only two dark lagers can allow. When it’s all said and done, you shoot a game of pool and let your friend’s abstract views on the perils of socialism and the role of property ownership take root in your mind. The next day you wake up with a thinner wallet and a deeper understanding of your neighbor. All of this happens because beer, when consumed properly, knocks down social roadblocks and opens up new intellectual avenues.
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You’re right. Something about sharing food or drink as table fellowship softens our hearts. I’ve had some very meaningful conversations over a drink. I remember when I worked 3rd shift (10:30p.m.-6:00 a.m) people would go out to the bar at 7:00 am. I would go and drink a beer (it was sort of our nights) or someone would buy me a beer. I distinctly remember those moments. Me, a student at Bible College, drinking and having some great conversations. No amount of Bible thumping could ever match what happened in those times. In fact, the very gesture of my going to the bar stood for my normalcy to those people. They weren’t concerned with the school I went to, they were concerned with who I was. When they new me, they were very comfortable with asking whatever theological question was burning into their minds.
Of course, this is true with conversations about how to fix an alternator, political questions, or banalities. Point being, we need to reconnect in social settings so that we can truly “meet” each other.
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I thought “Planned Obsolescence” was simply a 10,000 Maniacs song from the 80′s!
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@ Adam | I couldn’t agree more, Adam. The whole point of spending time around a table is, like you said “understanding your neighbor.” Of course you can have discussions about some complex topic like “God’s role in government” and disagree, but the disagreement will be mild rather than violent due to the pleasantry and brotherhood (corny, sorry) embodying the sharing of a pint. You’ll walk away in disagreement, but in understanding.
@ Mike | I am reminded of the time you, Hibbert, and I drank that Expedition Extra stout at Cousin’s. Man…good times. But your point is valid…some of the best “evangelism” I ever was a part of was when I was tending bar back in Springfield.
@ jason | I stoked you stopped by!!!! it’s funny you mention 10,000 Maniacs…I dug out a couple of their cd’s out ofmy dusty collection just the other day.
Are you still in Toledo??? Still at the Lighthouse???
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Hi,
There is a way to fix your computer related equipment without replacing parts, even when EVERYONE says parts must be replaced.. A computer technician discovered a fix for planned obsolescence in computers and related equipment. You can use this or keep buying IT equipment every time the authors of planned obsolescence want you to while feeding China’s economy.
https://sites.google.com/site/reallybigfix
Please spread the word.
Thanks
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