But with machines, it's offset by network effects and economies of scale, and the fact that the cheaper way is usually better by pretty much any technical metric(See: Quartz vs Mechanical).
You also get a demand that things become easy and reliable. Niche audiences are much more tolerant. They will fix things themselves and not complain, or even remember, because tinkering is so normal to them.
When the mass market comes they expect absolutely zero friction.
True audiophile equipment might have some problematic effect, but for even the high end consumer level, class-D basically obsoletes everything else, from tiny phone speakers to multi kilowatt rock concert gear.
Even large appliances, one of the only things that seem to have gotten less reliable, might be a win. Newer stuff is lighter and uses less energy, and costs less, so the money spent and environmental footprint probably isn't as bad as they say for most people.
Clothes seem to be very slightly less durable, and have microplastic issues, but a pair of shorts from Target can still last a decade or even more if you know any repair, and it's not like cotton is ecologically perfect either.
Food is really commonly cited, but I suspect it is easier than any time in the past to eat well. Whole grains weren't a mainstream thing until recently. Plant protein wasn't a thing. There was a long era of things like partially hydrogenated oils, and before that, there was just straight up contamination as an everyday concern.
You also get a demand that things become easy and reliable. Niche audiences are much more tolerant. They will fix things themselves and not complain, or even remember, because tinkering is so normal to them.
When the mass market comes they expect absolutely zero friction.
True audiophile equipment might have some problematic effect, but for even the high end consumer level, class-D basically obsoletes everything else, from tiny phone speakers to multi kilowatt rock concert gear.
Even large appliances, one of the only things that seem to have gotten less reliable, might be a win. Newer stuff is lighter and uses less energy, and costs less, so the money spent and environmental footprint probably isn't as bad as they say for most people.
Clothes seem to be very slightly less durable, and have microplastic issues, but a pair of shorts from Target can still last a decade or even more if you know any repair, and it's not like cotton is ecologically perfect either.
Food is really commonly cited, but I suspect it is easier than any time in the past to eat well. Whole grains weren't a mainstream thing until recently. Plant protein wasn't a thing. There was a long era of things like partially hydrogenated oils, and before that, there was just straight up contamination as an everyday concern.