Back in the day, perhaps not so long ago or so far away, a high school class was studying and discussing current issues in American society. The specific topic of the hour was the idea of ‘planned obsolescence’. In the end it was generally accepted that the practice of manufacturing products with limited longevity was solely for the purpose of lining, then relining the pockets of the big corporations at the expense of the little consumer. When the first product wore out a new one would have to be purchased to replace the first. It was agreed that this practice was one stimulated by greed in that we had the technology to make products that could last for a lifetime of service, but was not done so only in order to increase profits through replacement sales. The class dismissed for the day feeling that they had discovered and identified an evil that could be rectified through legislation, giving our society a little more social justice at all levels. Their vote had been unanimous. This was something they could do to help make a difference and make America a better nation.

The next class meeting was reserved for a comprehensive test that covered nearly one-third of the semester’s material. It was a very difficult test and all were glad when they had finished. As usual, some thought they had done poorly while others thought they had done well.

The next day as the teacher returned the graded tests, the room was filled with groans and gasps, and various utterances of dismay and disbelief. Every student had received an “F” on this very heavily weighted test. The teacher was peppered with questions as everyone tried to speak at once.

After the class was quieted down, the teacher explained the 100% failure. Every student had gotten at least one question wrong. This was a direct analogy to the production and sale of any item that was not perfect in its service and durability. And, after all, everyone agreed that this was unacceptable practice. The students protested that the cost was too high in time and effort to ‘pass’ these types of tests and that no one would be willing to pay the price to take this course in the first place.

The teacher smiled and handed each student their ‘curved’ grades on another sheet of paper.