I believe having the latest technology is a luxury. To be able to buy and replace last year’s iPhone or ThinkPad computer in order to make room for the newest editions is, I think, a sign of privilege that is typically awarded to richer countries and homes. In that sense, I see buying new technology as a want, not a need, though if a guardian buys their kid some form of technology without prompting, the purchase can’t be placed on the child’s shoulders.
However, I would say that buying the latest technology out of job-related necessity could be considered a ‘pass.’ If your job is being a software developer or a data scientist, chances are, you want up-to-date computers and other technology to work.
Although, it’s hard to see these purchases one hundred percent justified. I’ll be completely honest: I don’t know much about software developers or data scientists, so I can’t speak to the relevance of their careers. But in my mind, they aren’t as influence in society as someone who produces food for the general public (though, currently, someone who knows how to code or can create more technology is becoming more pivotal in society as the age of technology accelerates).
Lastly, the constant purchase of new technology (especially in China, South Korea, America, of Japan [https://tech2sports.com/2021/09/01/here … ire-world/]) is taking its toll on the environment. Although technology can work to serve humankind (cars, electricity, etc.), emissions of coal and other fossil fuels because of these are speeding up effects of climate change. (For more on these effects, try: https://www.arcadia.com/energy-101/reso … te-change)