Made To Break ( Second Blog )

     It should forever be known that just about every single technological innovation will become obsolete as we progress into the future. The advancement of technology makes our dreams a reality the next day. The radio was once the only way reach massive audiences, but the "elimination of static and permitted realistic, high-fidelity radio broadcasting" along with the replacement of "vacuum tubes and wire circuitry with transistors" created the Television. ( pg 84 ) Just as the radio replaced the phonograph, the television nearly replaced the radio completely. Luckily for the radio, FM broadcasting was perfected and it played a crucial war during World War II, nicknamed the first electronic war.
     Although obsolescence plays a role in technology it also played a role in the suburban obsolescence. After the war many veteran soldiers came back to America homeless. The idea that old techniques and styles of housing needed updating became clear in places such as in Atlanta when, "2,000 people answered an advertisement for one vacancy." ( pg 129 ) The living standard of the past became obsolete when the Federal Housing Administration recommended national space, safety, and construction standards. What difference would these new improvements in housing make, if science threatened to obliterate mankind entirely? The the invention of the atomic bomb scared the crap out of many people especially Norman Cousins, who published the so called Modern Man is Obsolete. Its very interesting to see how the advancement of technology and science made other technology obsolete but at the same time could potentially make mankind obsolete.
     I guess mankind forgot about the notion of "Better Living...Through Chemistry." ( pg 124) America used this notion to free themselves from Japan's silk grip and create their own synthetic silk known as nylon. But nowadays the notion seems to be purposely design a product for failure and "introduce something that will make those products old fashioned, out of date, obsolete" for money! ( pg 153 )Where does better living come into play there?