[Moneyguy1]

I fondly remember the Corvair. I owned a few of them including a 1968 coupe that I transplanted a 180 HP turbo engine from a 1965 Corsa. Always figured that lack of an engine in the front was a "plus" because it preceded the more modern "crumple zone" technology.

One has to wonder how many of the "convenient" things today are really necessary. Most folks would not like to turn back the clock to the days of mechanical tuners on TV sets. Yet, if one has an assortment of electronics, one has an equal assortment of remotes. Convenience? Case in point: Sony HDTV receivers have a "control S" on the back of the set which, according to their manual "Permits the opration of other Sony equipment to utilize a single remote". The kicker is that many Sony devices do not have an input jack for this feature.

The CD phenom does add convenience but at a cost. Back in time, people could not easily record music to a vinyl disc. Enter the tape player. Record and play, but relatively bulky to some. Enter the CD. Initially a non recordable item. Now one can record even movies. But the question becomes, Does one really need the capability to archive nearly everything?

Digital cameras. Another convenience. No ruined film. Don't like the picture? Erase it and try over. No waiting for the processor to return your prints. But the convenience comes at a price as well. Most digital cameras are capable of far more than the average individual understands. Most people would simply prefer a "point and click" unit

The whole thing, IMHO, breaks down to marketing. In order to keep the assembly lines running and the executives happy, today's product must be obsolete tomorrow.