In a previous hub I made a reference to the "challenging economy" and took an opinionated  glance at how it just possibly  is time for (well for a lack of abetter term) a sea-change in society's modes of thinking as a base consumer group. Since that time, I have started becoming aware of some signs that this might not be as uncomplicated an adjustment as I might have hoped for. I went and said what I said before and then thought on it some more and came to the frustrating conclusion that our Western economic structure and our natural inclinations are against us in any such social economic endeavor.

I would expect any real cynic would claim that I should have deduced that from the onset, however I am at times much too guilty of being somewhat optimistic. If the truth be told, I hoped that with the need to tighten our belts we would all start to find ways to do without the shiny and new and be contented (at least for the near term) with what we already possess. I was thinking that now would be an ideal time for a resurgence of the concept of maintenance over replacement, but then again, maybe not.

  Honestly? You know it is going to be a hard-sell when even one's own government is against you, albeit inadvertently. I have always had a problem with the fact that with many consumer electronics so often it really is less costly to replace something ahead of maintaining what you already possess. A while ago I needed to replace the pre-installed battery in a motorized beard trimmer. The short of it is that the lowest estimate I got on replacing it would see me paying at least as much to replace the pre-sodered permanent battery as it would have cost for the latest model of that brand of trimmer. I ended up going and buying the new model and recycling the old one - but only because they could not guarantee a very long lifespan on the old one if I got the battery replaced. that was dissapointing. Another example of this is with DVD players and CD players; If your player should give up the ghost, then you might find that the cost of repairs might be as little as a few dollars (say for something like just a faulty disc loading mechanism), which is great, or it might set you back very nearly as much as a new player would (if we are talking about more extensive repairs). Honestly,who wouldn't want to go and pick up a brand new player for the same price tag, especially if it should happen to come with extra bells and whistles and a brand new warranty to boot? I have in addition championed the upkeep of your trusty household appliances whenever possible, but when I start hearing people complain that they could get a brand new appliance for just a little more than the asking price of a few required replacement parts, I am not flabbergasted that they might choose to go the new route. I have read complaints on several kitchen appliance websites from individuals who have found to their disappointment that the cost of the rival crock pot parts (such as a replacement lid or insert) that they need would likely end up costing them almost half the cost of the original crock-pot. Really? Ouch. When the issue of cost is a wash in the equation then most individuals will go for the new if for no other reason than we lack discipline on such issues, even once we know the benefits to the environment of following the preachings of the 'reduce, reuse, recycle' crowd. I guess it is just really a somewhat warm and fuzzy concept in the back of our brains for the majority of us. Now we have this latest endeavor by the US Federal Government to kick start consumer spending by introducing its recent 'cash for clunkers' program which is encouraging Americans to get rid of their older car for a new automobile. Now it may be that the majority of the trade in vehicles are actually near the end of their days of utility, but I would not be startled to learn that a number of still respectable automobiles got traded in along the way. Not surprised at all. In any case, at some time in the imminent future I really do expect this discussion to take on a whole new sense of urgency, but only time will tell...