A Journey Through Platform Decay
Once hailed as a utopia of endless possibilities, the internet has begun to crumble under the weight of what Cory Doctorow calls “enshittification.” With his new book, “Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It,” Doctorow explores the systemic decay of digital platforms, transforming them from havens of innovation to profit-driven labyrinths.
The Birth of Enshittification
Enshittification is Doctorow’s vivid term for the decay experienced by internet platforms as they prioritize profits over user experience. The phenomenon didn’t occur overnight. As platforms grow, they first attract users with a seamless experience. Then, over time, they subtly trap these users, making it hard to leave while gradually reducing quality in favor of monetization. Ultimately, this leads to a decline of trust and satisfaction, ushering in an era that is as much about legal and regulatory challenges as it is about technological degradation.
The Rise of AI and Its Role
In the intersection of enshittification and generative AI, like a fast-spreading conflagration, Doctorow highlights the perils brought by unchecked AI developments. As digital landscapes become saturated with AI-generated content, the lines blur, leading to sloppily crafted content that further alienates users. The spiraling overlap of AI slop and enshittification calls for a reevaluation of how we utilize and regulate emerging technologies.
A Look Into the Monopoly Crisis
Doctorow argues that the stranglehold tech companies have over their domains results predominantly from unchecked monopoly power. These monopolies, fostered by lax standards and a lack of regulatory foresight, rather than market forces alone, have exacerbated enshittification. As a result, once vibrant and innovative ecosystems now suffer, leaving little room for competition and creativity to flourish.
Solutions on the Horizon?
According to Cory Doctorow, the journey to address enshittification will require a robust approach. Deregulating and revamping laws that once served these tech giants, now merely exacerbating monopolistic behaviors, is key. Individuals can take action by advocating for interoperability and tech worker organization, ensuring platforms are held accountable, and decentralizing power structures that once fueled innovation but now suffocate it. By doing so, the internet can once again be a place of collective learning and creative freedom.
A Glimmer of Hope
In closing, Doctorow emphasizes the potential for reformation within our grasp. As governments start taking action against monopolistic giants globally, there emerges a possibility of a renewed internet—one that serves people first, guided by better antitrust policies and a resurgence of public spiritedness for the digital age.
As stated in The Verge, the drive for a better digital future is within our hands. Together, we can learn from past mistakes and forge a path forward, curbing enshittification and revitalizing the internet for generations to come.