雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of 'planned obsolescence' has been a subject of intense debate among economists and environmentalists. Originally introduced in the 1920s to stimulate consumer demand, it involves designing products with a limited useful life, encouraging repeat purchases. While proponents argue that this strategy drives innovation and economic growth, critics contend that it leads to resource depletion and excessive waste. Recent studies suggest that a shift towards 'circular economy' models, where products are designed for durability and reparability, could mitigate these negative effects. However, implementing such models requires significant changes in manufacturing practices and consumer behavior, posing challenges for industries reliant on high turnover rates.