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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;-jeffB, post: 4942038, member: 27832&quot;]Sure, but that shows up as &quot;increased productivity&quot; (I really wanted an additional level of sneer quotes around &quot;productivity&quot;). Consumers around the world are demonstrating that they care less about quality than they do about price.</p><p><br /></p><p>We just had to replace a 30-plus-year-old microwave oven. The new one has more power than the old one, does a <i>much</i> better job of heating evenly, is more efficient, and is easier to use. It also cost maybe a third as much as the old one, in <i>nominal</i> (not inflation-adjusted) dollars.</p><p><br /></p><p>Part of that is leaps and bounds in electronics technology. Part of it is &quot;improvements&quot; in manufacturing, distribution, and retail logistics. Yeah, it cost us less. But it also contributed a lot less to the welfare of everyone who worked to produce it and get it to us. And I&#039;m <i>quite</i> sure it won&#039;t last 30 years.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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