The same s**t across all industries indeed. Bicycle industry is no different... they change something little and then create a whole marketing program to convince ppl they need that new spec'ed bicycle -- when ppl won't take 10% of what that rig is capable off. Up to ppl to judge and justify their purchases, so I don't really care.
What bugs me, however, is the blatant anti-service mentality this days, where stuff isn't fixable anymore. Or worst, the decline in quality we see on (particularly) bicycle parts. Most parts I get my hands on, very expensive stuff by the way, I see areas that need improvement in terms of project.
It's about time we get to hack products again to improve them before the manufacturers do that for us for a hefty increase in price.
Decline in quality and the throw-away ethos is annoying (and wasteful) for sure. Back in the old days people were happy to buy quality and have it last...these days they want to get more and more so opt for lesser quality and more frequent purchasing. I'm not that way inclined though.
It's so annoying that I'm spending money on tools (and soon a small lathe) just to repair the "in-repairable" stuff, or as a way to make stuff better.