In the last century, we have moved from a society of people who avoided waste to one in which we throw away things without the slightest consideration about the resources we are wasting and how that is affecting our environment as well as our own well-being. 

And we often don’t even know that we are doing it. 

The Waste Makers, written by Vance Packard and published in 1960, addresses the problem of planned obsolescence and consumerism in post-World War II America. In this book, Packard argued that manufacturers deliberately create products with limited lifespans to force consumers to purchase new ones, and that this culture of consumption is not only wasteful but also environmentally destructive.

Here is a sample from his book:

‘… product makers have been showing a disconcerting fascination with the idea of setting "death dates" for products.’

‘… the pressures to expand production and consumption have forced Americans to create a hyperthyroid economy that can be sustained only by constant stimulation of the people and their leaders to be more prodigal with the nation's resources. 

‘The people of the United States are in a sense becoming a nation on a tiger. They must learn to consume more and more or, they are warned, their magnificent economic machine may turn and devour them. They must be induced to step up their individual consumption higher and higher, whether they have any pressing need for the goods or not. Their ever-expanding economy demands it.’

And how bad is the level of waste? According to Packard, American firms ‘are grinding up more than half of the natural resources processed each year on this planet for the benefit of 6 per cent of the planet's people.’ That was what he said in 1960. It couldn’t have got much better since then. Could have got much worse.

Packard begins the book by exploring the psychological and cultural roots of consumerism in America. 

The desire for material goods has become deeply ingrained in the American psyche, he contends, thanks in part to the efforts of advertisers and manufacturers who have exploited people's fears and desires to sell products. As a result, he argues, people have become conditioned to view material possessions as a source of happiness and fulfilment, even though these goods are often quickly replaced or discarded.

Packard argues that planned obsolescence is a deliberate strategy used by manufacturers to create an endless cycle of consumption, in which consumers are forced to routinely replace their products with newer, more expensive ones. 

This, Packard contends, is not only wasteful but also environmentally destructive, for it leads to the depletion of natural resources and the accumulation of waste.

Throughout the book, Packard provides numerous examples of planned obsolescence in action, from the deliberately embedded design flaws in light bulbs to the intentional limitation of software updates in computers. 

He also examines the various tactics used by manufacturers to encourage consumption, such as advertising, credit, and the promotion of new models and styles. In addition, he discusses the social and economic consequences of planned obsolescence, including the impact on workers and the growth of the disposable culture.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of The Waste Makers is Packard's call to action. He argues that the problem of planned obsolescence cannot be solved by individuals alone, but requires collective action and political will. He suggests a number of policy solutions, including product labelling, consumer education, and government regulation of the marketplace. He also calls for a shift in cultural values, away from the culture of consumption and towards a culture of conservation and sustainability.

Overall, The Waste Makers is a powerful and thought-provoking book that remains relevant even today. In fact, I’d say that it is even more relevant today than it was over sixty years ago, when it was first published. 

Packard's analysis of the psychological and cultural roots of consumerism, and his critique of planned obsolescence, provide valuable insights into the ways in which many of our businesses are structured. His call for collective action and political will was particularly far-sighted in that they shine a light on today’s debates over environmental policy and the role of governments in regulating the marketplace.

In short, The Waste Makers is a must-read for anyone interested in the environmental and social consequences of our consumer culture.

One of the key arguments that Packard makes in The Waste Makers is that planned obsolescence is not only wasteful and environmentally destructive, it also undermines the value of work and craftsmanship. Our work has little lasting value.

In his book, Packard suggests that the emphasis on producing goods that are quickly replaced or discarded has led to a devaluation of skilled labour and the loss of pride in workmanship. He argues that consumerist culture promoted a focus on quantity over quality, and that this was ultimately harmful to workers and to the economy as a whole.

What he doesn’t say, but I’m certain he’d have said had he been alive today, was that we were gradually being led to our own obsolescence – robots can do what we once did since all work is now repetitive and mechanical.

Another important theme in the book is the role of advertising in shaping consumer behaviour. Packard argued that advertising plays a central role in promoting consumption and creating demand for new products. 

He suggested that advertisers were using a variety of psychological tactics to create desire for products. The tactics included appeals to status, sex, and fear. He also suggested that advertising gave people a sense of dissatisfaction with their current possessions, and that led them to constantly seek out new and better things.

The Waste Makers had a significant impact on the environmental movement and on discussions of sustainability and consumer culture. The book’s publication helped raise awareness of the problem of planned obsolescence, and it has been cited as a key influence by a number of environmental activists and organizations. It also triggered government action to in regulate the marketplace and promote sustainability, a theme that continues to be relevant today.

To sum up, The Waste Makers is a highly influential book that provides a powerful critique of the consumer culture and the environmental and social consequences of planned obsolescence. Packard's analysis of the psychological and cultural roots of consumerism, as well as his call to action, remain relevant and important today. 

This book is essential reading for anyone interested in environmental issues, sustainability, and the role of government in promoting a more sustainable economy and culture.