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Move Fast and Break Kings, with Cory Doctorow
Apr 24, 2025
In this thought-provoking discussion, Cory Doctorow, a blogger, journalist, and digital rights activist, dives into the concept of 'enshittification,' revealing how corporate greed erodes our online experiences. He highlights the dangers of platform monopolies and the urgent need for regulatory reforms to reclaim user agency. Doctorow also champions the benefits of RSS feeds over centralized platforms, explores behavioral economics through the Ulysses Pact, and shares insights from his upcoming book, 'Picks and Shovels,' focused on the tech landscape and its challenges.
01:01:52
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Quick takeaways
- Cory Doctorow's concept of 'enshittification' illustrates how platform monopolies sacrifice user experience for profit after locking in users.
- The tech regulatory landscape is hindered by corporate concentration, enabling firms to shape favorable regulations that suppress competition and innovation.
Deep dives
The Concept of Shittification
Shittification refers to the gradual decline of user experience in online platforms due to monopolistic behavior. This phenomenon begins when platforms initially offer good services that attract users, leading to their lock-in. Once users are dependent on a platform, companies exploit this dependency, prioritizing profit from business clients over user satisfaction. Examples such as Amazon’s search engine ads highlight how platforms can prioritize paid placements over the best search results, resulting in diminished service quality for users.
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