Apple started the minimalist, option hiding, functionality axing, 1984-ish control freak movement. They even got away with selling phones without chargers, making $40 billion on lightning cables sales.
Just blame Apple.
I don’t know a single person in my bubble who needs more lightning cables. I have a dozen unused lightning cables already laying around.
I threw away every pair of headphones that came with an iPhone I have ever bought. Most of mini/micro usb cables that come with small electronics go into trash - I do not need more cables!
???? That's literally exactly what the point of every business decision is.
It’s not always a conspiracy to make more money.
If you need one there are plenty of options, including affordable 3rd party options.
Cynically it’s probably a way to adjust for inflation or whatever by keeping the same price but reducing the amount of stuff you get.
Someone commented this yesterday but the calculation was crap. What source do you have?