The Light Bulb Conspiracy

Directed by

Cosima Dannoritzer

Written by

Cosima Dannoritzer

Produced by

ARTE France, Media 3.14, Article Z, Television Espanola, Televisio de Catalunya

Documentary, Spain, France, 2010, 74 min

Does the ever-lasting light bulb really exist? How can a computer chip ‘kill’ a product? Why are millions of computers shipped round the world to be dumped rather than repaired? How did two artists from New York start a popular revolt on the internet which resulted in the life span of millions of iPods being extended?

The Light Bulb conspiracy combines investigative research and rare archive footage to trace the untold story of planned obsolescence - the deliberate shortening of product life spans to guarantee consumer demand. As an influential advertising magazine already put it in the 1920s: "The article that refuses to wear out is a tragedy of business" – and a tragedy for the modern growth society which relies on an ever accelerating cycle of production, consumption and throwing away.

Debate with :

• Cosima Dannoritzer, director
• Joan Úbeda, producer Media 3.14
• Anne-Laure Wittmann, "Friends of the Earth", reference for "Sustainable production and consumption", coordinator of a report on planned obsolescence

Know more

• See the press kit of the film