The Light Bulb Conspiracy


The Light Bulb Conspiracy, also known as Pyramids of Waste, is a 2010 Franco-Spanish documentary film written and directed by Cosima Dannoritzer about the practice of planned obsolescence. In 2013, Dannoritzer and Jürgen Reuß co-published a book based on the film.
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Synopsis

The film documents the deliberate limitation by manufacturers of the lifespan of their products in order to secure sales of replacement and follow-up products. In addition to describing concrete examples, the film also explores the economic and ecological consequences of consumer society. French economist and philosopher Serge Latouche speaks about the concept of degrowth.

Documented examples

Reception

American historian Robert Friedel, in a 2013 review of the film, agreed with the film's assessment that Western consumer capitalism is unsustainable, but considered its execution flawed and its approach simplistic, specifically criticizing its exploration of the Phoebus cartel. He argues that the cartel was not secret, and that there are legitimate trade-offs between the longevity, brightness, and price of incandescent bulbs; moreover, Friedel attributes the longevity of the Centennial Light to its operation at a lower-than-normal voltage, which also makes the light much dimmer.
Paul Basileo, writing for Suffolk County Community College in 2012, opined that the documentary had great value in directing viewers to instances where cultural practices are influenced by business interests, and that it would provoke discussion and be useful for studies in many fields. However, Basileo argued that the film's presentation of environmental issues did not consider geopolitics, lacked the exploration of possible solutions, and that the segment connecting consumerism and the Cold War was "inserted in a rather uneven way".

International versions

The film screened internationally at numerous film festivals as well as on television and was broadcast on German television several times on Arte and Phoenix starting in 2011. In the same year, it ran as a side event at the European Commission's Green Week.
Internationally, it was shown with the following titles:
  • Catalan: Comprar, llençar, comprar
  • Czech: Žárovková konspirace - Příběh plánovaného zastarávání
  • Danish: Glødepære-konspiration
  • English: The Light Bulb Conspiracy
  • Finnish: Hehkulamppuhuijaus
  • French: Prêt-à-jeter
  • German: Kaufen für die Müllhalde
  • Hungarian: A Villanykörte Összeesküvés – A tervezett elavulás története
  • Italian: Il complotto della lampadina
  • Norwegian: Garantert kort levetid
  • Polish:Spisek żarówkowy
  • Portuguese: A Conspiração da Lâmpada
  • Russian: Заговор вокруг лампочки
  • Spanish: Comprar, tirar, comprar
  • Swedish: Glödlampskonspirationen
  • Turkish: ''Ampul Komplosu''

Awards