Whether one commends or condemns such an attitude, it does, in fact, seem quite widespread. It has led to some very detrimental results as well as to other beneficial contributions, but it does appear entrenched. So much so, in fact, that smart corporate strategists often institute a systematic search for new innovations to be commercialized. Either market share or return on investment can become all-consuming motives. Since the goals involved are either productivity or profitability, these goals also seem firmly established.
Market economies thrive on such transactions regardless of their long-term consequences.
It is, however, precisely some of these consequences which have increasingly proven to be so problematic. The question is how to eliminate such negative effects without at the same time ruining the economy. To repeat, it must be remembered that there is nothing inevitable or immutable about the design of a particular technology. The size, weight, colour or performance characteristics of products and processes are decided on the bases of commercial and political considerations rather than scientific or technical limits. Alternative design specifications are quite feasible, embodying different features and producing different results.