Self-destructive design: Difference between revisions

'''Self-destructive design''' is a generic form of product design whereby it is possible that some if not all functions of the device will cease functioning. Self-destructive design can occur unintentionally due to oversights but it can be implemented intentionally for a number of reasons. Self-destructive design is split into numerous types: '''discontinuation bricking, digital discontinuation bricking, end-of-life product discontinuation,''' and '''planned obsolescence'''. All forms of self-destructive design harm consumers in that it reduces product lifetime and increases waste production.

* '''Planned obsolescence''' is a business strategy where a product is designed in such a way that it will inevitably fail or become obsolete and require replacement with a non-obsolete product.

* '''End-of-life product discontinuation (EOL)''' is a generic term describing the discontinuation of production of a product and its parts.

** '''Discontinuation bricking,''' also known as '''Physical discontinuation bricking''' is a symptom of EOL where a product completely ceases functioning, likely because its no longer reparable.

** '''Digital discontinuation bricking''' is a symptom of EOL where a product that depends on a network connection ceases functioning either because the company remotely shut down the product or shut down services the product depends upon.

*'''Planned obsolescence''' is the only type of self-destructive design that can be attributed as totally malicious; companies that institute planned obsolescence in their designs do so to ensure their customers buy more products.

*'''EOL''' is less likely to be malicious as it actually does provide real benefits for companies; no one expects car early 20th century cars to remain supported or in production in the 21st century. There is room for malicious EOL decisions with the intent to make consumers buy more products.

**'''Physical Discontinuation bricking''' usual makes repair of the the device usually makes the device harder to repair.

**'''Digital discontinuation bricking''' is even more severe in this regard due to dependence on remote servers, most consumers will not build their own server architecture for the sake of running a digital app or device.

* '''Planned obsolescence''' is often the least harmful in terms of reparability as a side effect of its invisible nature. Often times it is possible to simply replace obsolete components with working ones. Companies attempt to prevent third party repair of obsolete components by using other dark practices such as [[Component pairing|anti-repair component pairing]].

* '''EOL''' is more significant due to the disappearance of repair components over time and anti-repair practices that prevent consumers from repairing their products with custom components.

** '''Digital discontinuation bricking''' is perhaps the most difficult to deal with due to the complexity of bypasses. A product that has ceased functioning because an authorization server has gone offline will require the user to either setup their own servers or bypass the remote authorization, malicious third-parties can take advantage of desperate consumers whose digital products have been disabled. In addition the more digital products depend on remote servers, the more difficult it will be to replace the hardware.

* '''Planned obsolescence''' is unlikely to cause sale falsification due to its invisible and constant nature which usually makes it undetected but sellers who are aware of this dark pattern should inform buyers.  

* '''EOL''' announcements can cause sale falsification if the product is declared EOL after the product is put up for sale -- which invalidates the seller's information.  

** '''Digital discontinuation bricking''' is highly likely to cause sale falsification due to its sudden and often unannounced nature, sudden bricking also contributes the highest amount of misinformation around a products functioning state.