Podcast – Cory Doctorow's craphound.com Enshittification isn’t caused by venture capital
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Jan 20, 2025 Join a deep dive into the troubling trend of 'inshittification' in social media. Discover how platforms like Facebook went from community hubs to user hellscapes, questioning the motivations behind these changes. The discussion reveals insights into corporate greed and the demand for profit, challenging the narrative that venture capital alone drives these transformations. Explore alternatives like federated systems and the importance of prioritizing user rights. It’s a thought-provoking take on why understanding these dynamics matters for everyone online.
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Enshittification and Constraints
- Enshittification is not solely caused by the profit motive.
- Constraints like competition, regulation, and labor relations influence how companies treat users.
Zuckerberg's Facebook
- Mark Zuckerberg, despite early investment capital, didn't initially enshittify Facebook.
- This suggests that factors beyond venture capital influence platform behavior.
Profit Motive and Enshittification
- The profit motive alone doesn't cause enshittification.
- Lack of consequences for mistreating users and captive audiences are key factors.
