Planned Obsolescence. 09/04/26

No, I’m not talking about when we expire. I’m talking about our phones. You buy the new one on some kind of Verizon, AT&T, TMobile, Boost Mobile, Mint Mobile package. A two-year deal including a “free” iPhone 37 (or whatever number they’re up to now). At first it works great. It’s slimmer, lighter, more screen space and a terrific battery. Although if you’re a guy and keep your phone in your front pocket, the phones are now so big they dig into your thigh. At least mine digs into mine. But that’s beside the point. At least it is after you rearrange the phone in your pocket.

Bur the battery, ohh the battery. As soon as the new contract is almost up, the phone mysteriously starts losing its battery life. Even if you plug it in the night before and wake up to a 100% charged phone, by nighttime you’re screwed. Think about it. How many items do you buy that cost upwards of $1,000 that have to be replaced every couple years? Oh that’s right. Your laptop, tablet, and watch. Apple and Google have you coming and going.

And the more you buy into technology, the more you depend on it. The first iPhone was released in 2007. I was a sprightly 54 years old at the time. Which means I went 53 years without one. My football tickets arrived in the mail. I’d buy movie tickets at the theater. I’d speak to someone and make a plan to meet at 7:00 p.m. and then I’d see the person at 7:00. Or they’d be a couple minutes late. Or I would. But now? Text: I’m running a few minutes behind. Text: That’s okay, take your time. Text: I’m almost there, just a couple blocks away. Text: I’m sitting on the right side, towards the back. Text: Oh I see you now. You’re wearing a red sweater. Text: Where are you? Oh I see you, hi!

No wonder the damn thing runs out of juice. Right now I’m at 98% so I’ve got nothing to worry about except how did my watch battery get so low? Listen, gotta go. Please make sure your batteries are full at 10:15 EST this morning. My watch is telling me it’s time to stand up. Have a great weekend,

Andy and John