Universal Paperclips comes to mind.... part of the issue is that companies peruse the goal of infinite growth, yet this stands in contrast and contradiction to the economic maxim of "wants are unlimited, but resources are finite". this relentless chase is fueled and exacerbated by the culture of "disposable" and made worse with planned obsolescence,pushing us to replace products faster than ever. We need to find ways to balance this, in order to achieve sustainable progress.