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Now that cars are like smartphones, we don’t really own them
(www.washingtonpost.com)
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this post was submitted on 11 Nov 2023
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Unpopular opinion.
I'd like to have the choice not to "own" these kinds of things. I've felt this since I was young and I heard about the 3rd version of the iPhone. If these things get upgraded and get better every year and I'm "supposed to" upgrade every single time then it makes sense to just lease these things.
And now with electric cars being basically on the same upgrade schedule but half the speed, why would I own an electric car for 8 years when next year the new electric cars save like 10x more for me. It wouldn't make sense.
Phones get an upgrade every year, and in 3 years your phone might become 'invalid' and you have to upgrade. So just borrow the phone from the maker and get an upgrade easier.
Unless you actually want to own your things, go for it! It's a free market and you should be able to buy your phone in its entirety just like you could buy a car 10 years ago in its entirety. This choice should be easier is all I'm saying.
You're not "supposed to" upgrade every year, that's the point. You should be able to use a 5 year old phone if you want to.
A car lease is an option. Always has been
I agree a rental/service economy is good for some things. I think the main complaint here is the way companies manipulate these products for their benefit not for the customer, and often in underhand ways (hence all the privacy issues). That happens with 'owned' products too, but the owner has more control to make of it what they want.
EV cars sold today aren't that much better than 4 years ago. In fact, electric cars are basically a car. Surprising I know. But they are on the same 7-year model lifespan as any other car model.