No, it is not a bad idea because it ruins the economy, it is a bad idea because the economy dictates it to be.
So its not like the economy is dependent on whether you make a long lasting device or not; whether or not a long lasting device is made depends essentially on the economy. The key is determining the dependent variable.[/QUOTE
So the economy will be the one to give me permission to build a new mouse trap. Interesting concept. BUT I DON'T THINK SO. No one tells me what to think or what i may invent. Or when I can do either of them. The end.
So you build your thing, it cost a lot to manufacture, so you have to sell at a high price, so now the regular guy on the street cannot afford it. The demographic will be miniscule. But you knew that. You build quality goods for those that can afford them.
Companies that make components for ecigs manufacture 100's of 1000's of units as cheaply as they can so they can sell them for a price the world can afford. That makes their products viable. The man on the street won't buy expensive components for ecigs. Only a few will.
Bugatta only make 10 veyron's a year. Why do you suppose they do this ?. It's because they know people cannot afford to spend £1,000,000 ($1,500,000) on a car. They don't go thinking "we've built the best car in the world so we'll mass produce and sell 100's of 1000's of them". They won't ever sell them and they know it !. If they did mass produce the veyron they'd go out of business, and so would ecig companies that made the expensive components you mentioned in your first post.
At the end of the day you get what you pay for. You spend £6 on a clearo then expect it to last a month at most. Buy an aga t+ and you see the difference. I don't see how anyone is getting ripped off.