Unplugging the Cycle: How Artists Can Challenge Planned Obsolescence and Create Lasting Impact

In a world where our phones die after two years, software becomes unusable overnight, and fashion changes faster than the seasons, we’re surrounded by a silent but powerful force: planned obsolescence. It’s the design of products to fail, expire, or become “unfashionable” just fast enough to force you to buy the next version. While it may seem like a purely economic issue, this deeply embedded system touches almost every aspect of our lives — and the lives of artists and activists in particular.

From the gear we use, to the digital platforms we depend on, to the psychological toll of being in a world constantly telling us we’re outdated — planned obsolescence doesn’t just cost us money. It costs us peace, progress, and potential. 🎧 Listen to more insights on the Creating With Impact Podcast! Watch our latest discussion on YouTube! Explore more mental health resources for musicians here!

In this post, we’ll unpack how planned obsolescence impacts artists, musicians, and activists — especially those working to better the world. We’ll also explore how we, as creatives, can push back and create more sustainable systems for ourselves, our communities, and the planet.

What is Planned Obsolescence?

Planned obsolescence is the deliberate strategy of designing products with a limited useful life so that consumers are compelled to replace them sooner than necessary. It’s not a glitch in the system — it is the system. Whether it’s smartphones with non-replaceable batteries, software updates that slow down devices, or fashion trends that change weekly, planned obsolescence drives consumption and profit at the expense of people and the environment.

And for creatives? It hits especially hard.

How Planned Obsolescence Affects Artists and Musicians

1. Financial Drain on Creative Tools

Artists, musicians, and designers rely on tools — whether it’s a laptop with design software, an audio interface, a MIDI controller, or even a social media platform. These tools are not immune to obsolescence. Tech giants release new operating systems that render older software incompatible. Audio plugins that cost hundreds of dollars stop working after a year or two unless you “subscribe” to continuous upgrades.

Even musical instruments — especially digital or electronic gear — can become unusable if firmware isn’t updated or if parts are no longer manufactured.

For emerging or independent artists, this financial pressure can be devastating. You’re not just creating art; you’re constantly being asked to keep up with tools designed to leave you behind.

2. Mental and Emotional Toll

When your gear breaks, your software expires, or your social content flops because of a mysterious algorithm shift, it’s more than an inconvenience — it can feel like your work, your worth, and your voice are being silenced.

Planned obsolescence reinforces the idea that new is better, and that if you’re not upgrading, you’re falling behind. For artists who already struggle with impostor syndrome or comparison, this creates a toxic cycle of self-doubt.

It’s exhausting to keep chasing the “next big thing” when all you want to do is share your voice.

3. Platform Dependence

Social media platforms — critical tools for many artists and activists — are also driven by obsolescence, just in a more psychological way. Algorithms change constantly, prioritizing trends and engagement over quality or authenticity. Creators are encouraged to pump out more and more content to stay “relevant,” creating digital burnout and undermining the value of intentional, meaningful work.

When we’re forced to produce instead of create, we lose what makes our work powerful — and human.

Planned Obsolescence and Activism: A Barrier to Change

Activists, particularly those fighting for environmental and social justice, face another layer of difficulty.

Many of the same corporations profiting from planned obsolescence are also responsible for large-scale environmental degradation, labor exploitation, and misinformation. Fighting these systems becomes harder when the tools used to spread awareness (phones, platforms, media) are themselves embedded in the cycle of disposability.

Additionally, environmental activism becomes an uphill battle when consumers are locked into wasteful habits, not by choice, but by design. Even the most eco-conscious person might struggle to maintain sustainable practices when their devices are intentionally built to fail or become incompatible.

Planned obsolescence is a form of systemic gaslighting — telling us we need to buy more to belong, while eroding the very planet we depend on.

The Mental Health Impact: A Society of “Not Enough”

This constant push to replace, upgrade, and perform creates an underlying anxiety — the feeling that you are never quite enough.

For artists and activists, who often pour their hearts into their work without financial security or systemic support, this sense of inadequacy can quickly lead to burnout, depression, and disconnection.

We’re not just replacing devices. We’re internalizing disposability. We start to believe that we are replaceable, too.

How Artists and Musicians Can Resist Planned Obsolescence

Despite these challenges, artists are uniquely equipped to push back. Creativity thrives in limitations, and artists have always been at the forefront of cultural change. Here’s how we can resist planned obsolescence in our work and communities:

1. Extend the Life of Your Tools

• Repair before replacing. Learn basic maintenance for your instruments or gear. Many electronics can be repaired with inexpensive parts or DIY fixes.

• Buy used or refurbished gear from trusted sources. This not only saves money, but also keeps functional items out of landfills.

• Support companies that allow for repairability, open-source software, or provide long-term updates and warranties.
  

2. Create and Share Sustainable Practices

• If you’re a musician, share tutorials on using free/open-source software.

• If you’re a visual artist, promote sustainable materials or upcycled art.

• If you’re a digital creator, discuss how you batch content to reduce burnout or use low-energy tools to produce your work.
  

Sharing your sustainable creative workflow can inspire others to slow down and make mindful choices.

3. Use Your Platform to Raise Awareness

Create content that draws attention to planned obsolescence, environmental justice, and sustainability. Whether it’s a song, a zine, a blog post, or an art piece — your voice matters.

You don’t have to be an expert or a perfect minimalist. Just start the conversation.

4. Build Community Resilience

Planned obsolescence thrives on isolation. It tells you you’re on your own. But artists know better — creativity is communal.

• Start gear swaps or lending libraries with other musicians and artists in your community.

• Host repair workshops or “upcycle” events.

• Collaborate on shared studio spaces or digital tools that reduce the need for constant personal upgrades.
  

5. Slow Down and Reclaim Your Time

Resisting planned obsolescence is also about resisting hustle culture. You don’t need to produce endlessly to be relevant.

Instead:

• Focus on timeless, quality work rather than trendy content.

• Set boundaries around screen time and social media use.

• Prioritize mental health and creative rest.
  

By slowing down, you reconnect with the why behind your work — and that’s where your real power lies.

Make Art That Lasts

Planned obsolescence may be a feature of our current system, but as artists and activists, we’re not stuck inside it. We have the tools — both literal and metaphorical — to challenge the throwaway mindset and create culture that lasts.

Our art doesn’t have to expire. Our value doesn’t need to be updated. Our worth isn’t tied to what we own.

So take up your pen, your guitar, your camera, your platform — and use it to build a world where sustainability, justice, and authenticity are not only possible but essential.

Because when we create with impact, we create for the long haul.