The Gist Cory Doctorow: Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It
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Oct 14, 2025 
Cory Doctorow, an acclaimed author and digital-rights activist, discusses his compelling book, InShittification. He unveils his 'enshittification' model, explaining how tech platforms trap users while prioritizing profit. Doctorow emphasizes the importance of interoperability and right-to-repair laws, revealing how focused state legislation can disrupt Big Tech's control. He dives into the economic impact of community repair initiatives versus waste. Plus, Mike Pesca explores the complex dynamics of hostage releases, challenging conventional human-rights strategies.
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Use Interoperability As An Off-Ramp
- Promote interoperability to break platform lock-in by making different products work together.
- Support state-level "right to repair" and similar laws as practical steps to restore competition.
Break Big Fights Into State Wins
- Break large reform fights into narrower state-level campaigns to weaken opposing coalitions.
- Target specific industries (e.g., printers, powered wheelchairs) to win public support and set precedents.
Wheelchair Repair Crisis Example
- Cory describes powered wheelchairs dominated by two private equity firms that delay repairs and harm users.
- He highlights how DMCA-style digital locks criminalize bypassing settings, leaving users dependent on slow authorized service.
