I think what is happening isn't exploitation... its in the manufacturing and marketing.
Almost everything you buy anymore is crap. I remember when my mom still was using the toaster they got as a wedding present 40 years later. I can't get a toaster to last more than 2 years!! We are in a disposable world now. I call shoes from payless "disposable" because they only last months.
So many things are made of plastic because it is cheap. I don't mind so much if it is recycled plastic. But mostly this stuff just ends up in our land fills.
I could go on and on and on but I won't! Aren't you glad?
I am guilty of collecting too many things myself. I love tools of any kind and tend to buy too many. But I'm getting better. And I only buy fabric for a specific project. Once in awhile I pick up a fat quarter or two but never more than that. I don't produce as many quilts as all of you but enough to keep me going ;)