Yes, you are right. It's the same thing with lens cases; in the days of old, a good telephoto lens came with a quality hard case which protected it, even from a hard blow. Good example of this would be in a dug out during a baseball game. Those hard cases would protect the lens even from a batted or thrown baseball that hits the case. Today, you can only get a soft case and in the same situation, the lens would be damaged or destroyed. Guess manufacturers have figured this out too and find they sell more lenses when the first one gets destroyed and the photographer is forced to re-buy it to replace the broken one. Many items sold out there for "protection" are nothing more than a false security and an accident waiting to happen.

In a perfect world, your thesis may have some validity. However, in the real world, involving real people, your "sustainability" models just don't work.

First, people have neither the time, nor the inclination, to do reams of research on each and every product which they consume. And the folks who espouse this, don't have the expertise, either.

Capitalism is effective because of the division of labor, folks becoming more specialized in their labor. Failure to specialize means the end of technological advance, ergo, the end of scientific advancement. Technology always precedes science.

Alternative energy sources, bio- and solar, are not sustainable. In solar, there has to be some manner of energy storage for the periods which there is no sunlight. That's battery, and it means that the energy has to be converted from DC to AC for transmission and usage. Bio fuels are hugely inefficient. The cost of production is double the cost to produce the crop. And fuels like ethanol are corrosive, even to stainless steel. Corn is a food, and the reduction in available land to produce food, causes a huge financial hardship on the poor, who have to pay more just to subsist.

The most economical means of energy production is through oil, coal, and nuclear. Oil reserves are huge, and even at current estimates of usage, will last for over 100 years. Coal is the original renewable energy source. It was created 350 million years ago through photosynthesis, and in its most economical usage, provides cheap energy to millions. In fact, its usage to the most poor of countries, would enable them to raise the standard of living and improve their economic lives. Nuclear is the most economical, and with the exception of the stupidity of the Soviet Union, has been safe beyond any other energy source. (Three Mile Island's problem was the result of human error, ignoring the reactor's warnings)

The costs of materials, whether steel, plastics, textiles, are inelastic in economic terms. Their costs as commodities on the world markets are governed there. If you want to sell iron ore or oil, you can't sell for less than the market price very long. Labor costs are also inelastic in any particular country because of unions, labor laws, etc. Labor laws in France do not translate to labor laws in South Africa. In the total cost of goods sold, indirect costs are widely variable depending on where the goods are produced; for the same reasons as labor.

Economic development must be evolutionary, as is life itself. An economic group can't skip from Step B, to Step E, and not pay a dear price. Developing countries must build infrastructure, and at times the most simplistic of means. Road, sanitary facilities, food markets, and other parts just can't be skipped.

Not regarding any one particular post...but this sentiment of "Oh! We must save the diminishing "Local Photography Stores," is so very corny, and carried way too far, by some nostalgic "bleeding hearts". We live in a real world which progresses in accord to the facts of life. I find it hard to believe that so many people value a "relationship" with a man, who sells camera's for a living, and provides you, with "his opinion," of what is the "best gear" for You, to purchase. I spend many weeks, doing extensive research,
on the internet, reading many test and evaluative reviews, on all suitable equipment, prior to narrowing my selection down, item by item, to the unit which is best suited for my own purposes. I couldn't imagine, taking the opinion of a man, who works in a retail store, and basing my purchase, on what he has to say; let alone, "building up a long term relationship, with that one individual." That sounds like something for people who are insecure and are unable to make sound decisions on their own. Further, to pay many dollars, sales tax, on an expensive item, when you don't have to, is foolishness; it shows that you are personally addicted to your fancy. For myself, a store such as B&H meets all of my needs, in every way. If you need to handle the equipment prior to purchasing it, travel to B&H, or go to one of the many "public chain stores" that are set-up to permit, allow, and enable any person, from off of the street, to come in, and to handle their merchandise, which they have placed out onto display, for "John Q. Public" to pick up and to play with, even if, he has no intention, of ever purchasing it. Such a store, for example: "Best Buy." Also, it would be a very nice thing if "Local Camera Stores" were able to flourish today, but unfortunately due to our economy and way of life, that is not the case, and as time goes by they will become a rarity. This is simply my own opinion...Have a nice day.
This is in many ways a sad thing, I admit, but it is a reality that we must live with; for we have no choice in the matter.

The problem with saving camera stores is in some ways similar to the problem of saving a particular variety of birds etc. The wild critter in question depends on how we treat their environment, but a lot of habitats are endangered by behaviors of humans that enter into that area. No matter how much we as individuals shop locally, we cannot control where our neighbors shop. And local businesses DEPEND on local shoppers. Apparently the survivors have maintained such a high level of quality in their business practices and their customer service that people continue to shop there and encourage others to check it out. Another aspect to this survival is adaptation. Just like wildlife, people and businesses have to adapt to a changing environment. As a result of adapting, brick and mortar stores like B&H and Adorama have become well-known and trusted throughout the photography community, no matter where they are located. Not every store can reach this level, but even if they only become "famous" in their own region, that could go a long way toward ensuring survival!

I've been thinking about this through these many posts. Big mail order stores are run by multimillionaires who pay their employees salaries (and possibly commission.) Local businesses are more likely to be owned by real people who are living their dream to own a business, who are invested in their community. We are in an era where that dream has become impossible for many people, no matter what they are trying to sell to make a living. It could be shoes. Maybe we'll never go back to a time before the internet, when small retail stores were the norm in every community. I don't suggest we have to live in the past. Things are the way they are. I would just like to see people support local businesses when they have a choice. I do it as much as I can.