Posted by Sir Four at 10:38am Jun 23 '10Well, consumer electronics in particular. This article compares how little your money could buy in 1964 vs. today. Then, a month's wages would get you a stereo system. Today: a plasma TV, surround-sound speakers, iPod, Blu-ray player, camera, GPS, laptop, and more.
Sort of like inflation in reverse. It also made me think of the people who say, "how can the American poor even be considered poor when they have air conditioning and TVs?" Well, air conditioners and TVs are so cheap that they cannot be regarded as luxuries anymore. If you're a poor guy living in an inner city apartment with $100 in your pocket, yes you could put that $100 toward a savings that might some day allow you to leave the inner city. Or you could buy a window air conditioner and enjoy comfort right now. Or better yet, buy two second-hand units for the same price.
Of course one lamentable trend spurred by cheap goods is how disposable they now are. Many electronics are intended for only several years of use before you are expected to upgrade to something new, and repair is often not a viable option.
Sort of like inflation in reverse. It also made me think of the people who say, "how can the American poor even be considered poor when they have air conditioning and TVs?" Well, air conditioners and TVs are so cheap that they cannot be regarded as luxuries anymore. If you're a poor guy living in an inner city apartment with $100 in your pocket, yes you could put that $100 toward a savings that might some day allow you to leave the inner city. Or you could buy a window air conditioner and enjoy comfort right now. Or better yet, buy two second-hand units for the same price.
Of course one lamentable trend spurred by cheap goods is how disposable they now are. Many electronics are intended for only several years of use before you are expected to upgrade to something new, and repair is often not a viable option.