I would argue they’re intentionally getting more likely to break. Or at least that is no longer a concern. It’s straight up a benefit to some companies.
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Mac@mander.xyz 4 days ago
While i agree that engineers aren’t getting dumber, many designs are increasingly stupid.
Over-engineering is a real problem.
My fucking car fuel door doesnt need to be motorized with a bunch if linkages and cables.
SpacetimeMachine@lemmy.world 4 days ago
Mac@mander.xyz 4 days ago
Yes, absolutely. I was considering other than purposeful enshittification, but we know that’s happening, as well.
SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 4 days ago
They are definitely designing motors to last 100,000 miles and then fail, with small turbo motors.
SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 4 days ago
It’s not over engineering. It’s planned obsolescence. 2000-2005, German automakers took on a whole new business plan. No longer selling lifetime aspirational cars, switching to rented cars (or what douches call leasing) with a short second life, then to the junkyard. They built a business around the US culture of fake it until you make it and deep consumer debt. Today, we all know people driving $100k cars are still living paycheck to paycheck.
This was accomplished with engine plastics of known heat cycle durability, then “luxury” pricing that meant justifying prices with pointless gadgetry highlighted by auto “reviewers”, who are not allowed to talk about long term reliability. Then along came Musk, with cars that are cheaper to make than ICE, so again, make them into rolling Best buys because American consumers love anything with a touch screen. Tesla then had the largest profit margins in the industry, while any of those gadgets or motorized switches could brick a car.
Of course, the plan only augmented and wasn’t sustainable, as their cars now barely last until the lease is up.
Mac@mander.xyz 3 days ago
You’re right that planned obsolescence is real, i don’t think all of it is planned obsolescence.
Some of them are genuinely engineering solutions to problems and/or improved efficiency, but i, and many others, would rather have the simplicity and reliability.