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Front Burner The internet sucks now, and it happened on purpose
19 snips
May 19, 2025 
Cory Doctorow, a renowned novelist, blogger, and technology activist, discusses the troubling trajectory of the internet. He reveals how deliberate industry choices led to the current state of incessant ads and bots. Cory introduces the concept of 'unshittification,' detailing how platforms have shifted from user-friendly to profit-driven models. He humorously shares anecdotes about search engine struggles, while examining Google's evolution and systemic roots of our digital woes. Ultimately, he calls for an engaged response to reclaim the internet.
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Google's 2019 Code Yellow Crisis
- In 2019, Google had a 'code yellow' crisis because search query growth was behind forecast.
- Engineers debated making search results worse to increase user queries and ad views, boosting revenue.
Early Internet's Open Spirit
- The early internet was open, vibrant, and fundamentally anti-commercial, with diverse people connecting freely.
- This environment allowed innovations like Google to emerge, fueled by competition and user-focused design.
Google Ads Blend With Search Results
- Google redesigned ads on search results to blend them with genuine links, increasing ad views without clear labeling.
- This change reflects prioritizing advertising revenue even at users' expense.