On the Media Ensh*ttification, Live! Micah and Cory Doctorow in Conversation
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Jun 4, 2025 
Cory Doctorow, a tech activist and writer known for coining 'enshittification,' joins Micah Loewinger to discuss the internet's decline. They explore Amazon's market manipulation, revealing how tech giants exploit users and impact competition. The conversation shifts to Google's strategy, highlighting a troubling move from prioritizing quality to revenue. They also tackle algorithmic wage issues in labor markets and the resurgence of antitrust efforts against tech monopolies, stressing the need for user-friendly solutions in a changing digital landscape.
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Amazon's Lock-In Strategy Declined
- Amazon initially offered below-cost sales and perks to build user lock-in, like Prime and digital media locks.
- Over time, the value for users and business sellers declined as Amazon shifted to maximizing its own revenue.
Amazon Search Ads Raise Prices
- Amazon distorted search results to prioritize paid ads over best matches, raising prices for users.
- This benefits sellers who pay for ads but worsens outcomes for most customers and smaller businesses.
Amazon's Fees Inflate Prices Broadly
- Amazon charged sellers high fees, grabbing over half the revenue from third-party sales.
- Sellers raised prices everywhere due to pricing restrictions, inflating prices across the economy.
