The argument I keep seeing in favor of degradation is "we need it to make a market for new manufacturing" I don't like that idea, but if I assume it just to see where it goes: won't the blueprint market disappear if blueprints have unlimited uses? For that matter, ships need levels and wear-out too. We will be able to craft ships, and if we need a sink for make crafting work, and if ships are craft able, then we need ship sinks. I feel like any consistent following of the premise ends with a game almost no one wants.