I recall reading that Apple slid more and more into the walled garden because that’s what people wanted. Even after Steve Jobs came back, Apple was still offering easy to upgrade Power Mac computers, but it was the iMacs that were flying off the shelves. To Apple, it eventually became a question of logistics, and every gram saved, every little bit of performance squeezed out at the high volumes they were producing to keep up with demand meant sacrificing elsewhere.
I think that’s why we need to legally require right-to-repair, because the industry is too beholden to sales numbers. Companies like Apple currently have no incentive to worry about repair; instead, they only worry about making their devices durable so that they enjoy a reputation of not needing repairs in the first place. Legal boundaries need to be there where the boundaries of customer demand are too weak.
Wait till ‘to avoid slips and trips in the new Mega Mall we urge you to wear MegaMallMules. Our purpose-designed shoes will interface neatly with our mall flooring with its patented tread design, guaranteeing you a no slip experience. Guests are warned that wearing other brand shoes is considered to create a far larger risk of trips and slips on our patented tread design flooring. Wearing off-brand footwear is deemed acceptance of our terms and conditions of entry, namely that we can not be held liable for any accident or injury resulting from wearing non-MegaMallMule footwear.’
In other news:
‘MegaMall licenses patented tread design to Sidewalks of America. Shares leap on expectations of hugely increase shoe sales. Other footwear makers file suit though some are rumoured to be negotiating for sole licences to manufacture tread-compliant shoes. Shares in shoe repair shops just tanked. The renowned ‘barefoot lawyer’ said “I knew this day would come and I urge people everywhere to cast off their shoes. Anyone harassed by sidewalk cops can join my class action. We hope to come before the Supreme Court to get justice” Other commentators noted that this would take about 10 years by which time this monopolistic sidewalk scam would be so firmly established it would be impossible to remove without legislation. Senators have received approximately $124m from Sidewalks of America and MegaMall in donations this year already.’
ETA for the benefit of @paulbeard This may be a parody but it is rather more how ‘markets’ actually ‘work’ in the USA.
