Planned Obsolescence on Steroids by Britt Storkson Owner, P2FlowLLC Nearly 100 years ago, automakers invented a way to create interest in their new models which came out every year. It involved making a few minor changes and then trumpet the changes in their advertising as “new and improved” or the “latest and greatest” regardless of whether they were actually improved or “the greatest.” Wikipedia defines planned obsolescence as: “The concept of policies planning or designing a product with an artificially limited useful life or a purposely frail design, so that it becomes obsolete after a certain predetermined period of time upon which it decrementally functions or suddenly ceases to function, or might be perceived as unfashionable.” All of this is done to drive sales and profits. Selling more cars or other products is the objective, and this approach has been somewhat successful over the years. Human nature is to want the nicest and the newest products, and some are willing to pay a premium price to get them. Even computer products are sold this way. While computers don’t generally age and fail, over time, the technology advances to make them faster, better, and more reliable so it’s often worth the price for a new computer device. This begs the question: Can a computer be programmed to fail in all or part after a given time? The answer is yes. All computers contain a “clock” which is used in a number of ways, and one of the ways it is used is to keep time. A “clock pulse” is a voltage which goes to a logic 1 and then back to a logic 0 very rapidly, but very accurately. Each 1 to 0 or 0 to 1 pulse represents a time segment which can be tracked. The computer counts these pulses and when a preprogrammed total is reached or exceeded, the computer can be programmed to do something . . . like shut down all or part of its operation. These timing events may be programmed to go on for ten years or more as it is only limited by the amount of memory a computer has which, nowadays, is often a substantial amount. Now whether these computer timing features are used to prematurely shut down your piece of equipment is determined by whoever writes the program. We never “failure program” any of our products. They may fail, but it won’t be because the program tells it to. Of course, all other programmers are going to deny doing this, but the fact is it can be done - quite easily and cheaply. One marketing strategy I’ve seen a lot of lately is forced updates which, of course, come with a cost. But if everything works right, why does one need an update in the first place? And what if the update introduces problems that didn’t exist before the update? I’ve seen it happen several times. Like the saying goes: “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” If manufacturers really wanted to produce a quality, long-lasting product, I suggest they focus on modular construction and standardization of parts, which can easily be done with computers. Modular construction means each part functions independently, but can “report in” to a central computer if needed. Since the modular part is not dependent on the central computer, if it fails, it won’t take out everything else. Standardization means task-specific parts like auto ignition systems can be built to handle a wide variety of applications with the needed adjustments made in software. Given the business-as-usual attitude, I’m not sure it will ever happen, but there is more and more pressure from the buying public to go that direction. Britt Britt Storkson may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com See us at Booth 2133 Groundwater Week 2025 in New Orleans 8 NOVEMBER 2025 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can. ~Samuel Adams (1722-1803) Celebrating 250 Years
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