Dot Social Move Fast and Break Kings, with Cory Doctorow
45 snips
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.
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Dynamics of Platform "Inshittification"
- Platforms lock in users early by being good, then degrade experience to favor business interests.
- User lock-in prevents mass departure despite worsening service, enabling platform exploitation.
Opportunities to Resist Platform Abuse
- We are at a breaking point where platform lock-in is challenged by rising union power and regulation.
- Circumvention laws and interoperability offer hopeful opportunities to resist platform lock-in.
Use RSS to Escape Lock-In
- Use RSS feeds to avoid ads, tracking, and bad UX on social platforms.
- Export/import feeds easily to switch readers, enabling freedom from platform lock-in.
