Introduction to the Hierarchy of Things.

The Hierarchy of Things

The Hierarchy of Things is a concept which I think should encompass the sensible manufacture, use, design, and reuse of things and the materials involved in their manufacture and which they become. It relates to many concepts such as Maslow's Hierarchy of needs, waste recycling, upcycling, repurposing, creative reuse, industrial design and the worrying inkjet printer use model. The current idea of recycling does not go nearly far enough towards promoting a sensible, sustainable relationship with World's resources.

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/04/designing-for-a-hierarchy-of-needs/ 

The virtuous form of the basic hierarchy is something like this:

Design Things to Last
Reuse Things

Re-purpose Things

Reuse Component Materials

Recycle Component Materials 

The vicious form of the basic hierarchy is this:

Design Things to Break
Design Things to Need Inputs

Don't Worry About Waste

Externalise Disposal Costs

Each step down the hierarchy requires creativity, effort and energy to reduce waste.

The Inkjet Printer - are they cheap?  The cheapest Inkjet Printer on Amazon today is £15.52!  But there is a catch they are not selling printers, they are selling ink. Lots of working printers are scrapped, they are treated as disposable. I consider the Inkjet printer conceived in this way to be an insult to myself and to the planet. Having deliberately failed to design them to last they now expect us to spend money supporting our printer's expensive ink habit. My Laser printer is more than 20 years old and shows no signs of failing. 

Copyright 2015 Chris Bonfiglioli.