The author's not looking at things clearly. 40 years ago, we watched tv on 3 channels. We drove cars that were junk 5 years later. We had to accumulate huge

The author's not looking at things clearly. 40 years ago, we watched tv on 3 channels. We drove cars that were junk 5 years later. We had to accumulate huge quantities of stuff to listen to a variety of music. Today, even those of modest means have smart phones that entertain, bring news and weather, stream the whole world's music straight to you. Cheap used cars often easily last decades and go hundreds of thousands of miles. Everything is cheaper and better. People have learned how to make things as time passed, and the trend is only accelerating.