Made to Break, Giles Slade, Part 3

    One of the most relevant piece of technology in our lives is the computer. It is one the things that define our digital era and our information era.  What makes this technology possible is the invention of the microprocessor. In 1964, IBM announced its System/360 line of mainframe computers. These machines became very popular and very useful in the next few years, and IBM sales more than doubled. What made it successful was the microprogramming, allowing it run earlier programs without losing processor speed. However, this microprogramming would mark IBM’s last gasp of innovation. As society advanced, the demand for greater and more efficient systems would gradually push the System/360 line out of the way. In this, we see the emergence of obsolescence in technology.
    Throughout history, we see technological obsolescence, as newer technology makes older ones obsolete. Another exampled discussed by Slade is the slide ruler. The slider ruler was a simple ruler with a slide that allowed people to make simple calculations, but it was with limitations. What would replace it would be the calculator. From 1971 onwards, we see the development of increasingly powerful, sophisticated, and cheap pocket calculators. With every new calculator being developed, it puts previous one out of business.
    We’ve experienced this obsolescence in our own time. The computer is the most prominent of technological obsolescence. Computers are developed and sold every year, with each new one being more advance than the last. This is needed to keep up with society’s advancement. My current laptop is at least four years old, and as it were, It cannot run most current programs. Also, the hardware are slowly degrading as well, such as the battery no longer working, so I cannot use it anywhere I want anymore. It is planned obsolescence as laptops are not really made to last for a long time, and as such will eventually break. And in doing so, consumers would be required to buy a new one in the future. Also, they would require to buy a new one just because it would be outdated if they didn’t. As it were, I am overdue for getting a new laptop as it were, but chances are I will continue to use my current one for at most another year.