Cory Doctorow, a Canadian writer, introduced the term “enshittification” two years ago to describe the troubling decline of online platforms. This concept has resonated with many, highlighting the frustrations users face as essential services deteriorate. Doctorow explains that the Internet is experiencing a significant degradation, leading to a sense of despair among users.
He identifies four forces—competition, regulation, self-help, and tech workers—that could potentially limit this decline, but notes that these safeguards have been weakened as corporations prioritize profit. A stark example of this is Amazon’s aggressive tactics against Diapers.com, where the retail giant lost $100 million just to eliminate competition, only to raise prices afterward.
Ars Technica has explored various instances of enshittification, with smart TVs standing out as a prime example. While advancements in image quality and usability have been made, many features have become invasive, raising concerns about user privacy.
As users continue to navigate this “great enshittening,” we encourage you to share your experiences in the comments! Let’s shed light on this pressing issue together. ✨
