Factually! with Adam Conover
The Ensh*ttification of Everything with Cory Doctorow
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- Enshittification is a term to describe the degradation of user experiences by companies aiming to maximize profit.
- The internet and technology were initially created to improve lives but are increasingly commodified, leading to dissatisfaction.
- Activism and policy change are crucial to create a better technological landscape.
- Hope lies in grassroots movements and community organization to bring about change.
Summary
The Concept of Enshittification
Cory Doctorow introduces the term 'enshittification', describing how companies have systematically degraded user experiences across the internet and physical products. This process reflects a pattern where companies initially provide good services but soon shift focus to profit at the user's expense.
The Decline of Internet Quality
The episode discusses how internet companies have turned once useful platforms into environments filled with ads, spam, and dissatisfaction. The host and Doctorow elaborate on examples of companies prioritizing profits over user experiences, leading to a general consensus that services keep getting worse.
Activism and Solutions
Cory emphasizes the need for activism and the importance of seizing the means of computation. He discusses potential pathways to better technological futures, arguing for the deregulation of digital rights management to promote innovation and user welfare. This includes community organizing and legal reforms.
Historical Context and Future Hope
Reflecting on the technological evolution, the conversation highlights both historical problems and the potential for future improvements. Doctorow stresses that while the internet has not always been perfect, the hope lies in community efforts and grassroots movements to reclaim technology for public benefit.
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Show notes
The internet is getting shittier. Hell, the whole world is getting shittier. The thing is, it’s no accident—it’s by design. The tech giants who run the internet have figured out how to make bank off of making our everyday experience with the internet worse, and this process is bleeding over into the physical world. This process is called “enshittification”, a term coined by the massively influential tech writer Cory Doctorow. In this episode, Adam sits with Cory to discuss where everything went so wrong as well as Cory’s new book, Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It.
Find Cory’s book at factuallypod.com/books
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