Ending the depression through planned obsolescence

"Ending the Depression Through Planned Obsolescence" by Bernard London is an economic argument from the Depression era that suggests a bold solution to combat widespread poverty and unemployment. It explores the idea of planned obsolescence, where goods are intentionally designed to become outdated or unusable after a specific time, forcing consumers to purchase replacements. The book argues that this would kickstart production, employ workers, and break the depressing paradox of surplus goods and widespread poverty by creating a continuous consumption cycle. This proposal also explores how regulating the lifespan of products could generate government revenue through taxes on discarded items, stimulating economic activity and aiding those struggling during times of hardship. London's thesis puts that intentionally creating the end for products would lead to a balanced economy, helping workers and customers while solving the problems of the current system.