My optomist 2 cents:
Obsolescence influences/creates collectable prizes/curiosities and the existence of museums. I would not be motivated to restore my 1953 Velocette LE motorcyle if they were still in production and plentiful. We would not be enjoying this forum with Apple II, Commadore 64, DOS operating system, Windows 3.0, or 9.6dial up modems. Remember the great and wonderful 64K eight inch floppy disk?? or the "latest and greatest" IBM AT(286 processor) ......less than 20 years ago??? On page 19 of the Mar/April AARP magazine there is article where an Apple IIe sold for $6300.00 and $425.00 for an 80s HP calculator.
Progress is relative......