I’m sorry. Where did quality go? When did we replace quality with functionality and making money?
We see this everywhere. Products and services, record keeping, technology. Why can’t we keep up with the myriad of computer viruses that hit every day? Why do we have so many problems in education and infrastructure? A storm hits and sewage systems and water systems are overwhelmed to the point of having to dump waste into our waterways. Countries all over the world struggle with security, health and feeding their populations, while corrupt political systems and corporations prosper. Product recalls and bad ratings are accepted as the norm.
There are multiple examples of new functionality creating quality and benefit. Alternative energy, better medicines, higher education (for those that can afford it) are just a few. But do we really need all those products in the middle of the grocery store? And why do we have to spend exponentially more in the HOPE of getting quality? But I digress into a rant.
A nations productivity is defined by GDP, the sum total of all goods and services sold. Regardless of the marketing and methods used to sell. Is this what makes us happier?
We know this intrinsically: Quality of life does not depend on more functionality. It does not depend on getting more disposable plastic products cheaper. The answer is clear. We must change the definition of productivity to measure the standard of living.