Dive into the trends of 'encrappification' as internet platforms deteriorate, leaving users with less value. Explore the manipulation of algorithms and excessive ads that plague online experiences. The discussion also covers the impact of venture capital on the legal tech industry and calls for more competition to combat monopolistic challenges. Lastly, weigh the pros and cons of general versus legal-specific AI tools while considering how technology can enhance creativity and hobbies.
The phenomenon of 'encrappification' illustrates how platforms degrade user experience over time, prioritizing profit over end-user satisfaction.
Differences between general and legal-specific AI tools highlight the varying impacts technology can have on specialized professional fields.
Deep dives
Internet Deterioration and Crappification
The concept of 'crappification' has emerged as a descriptor for the growing decline in internet quality. This term, coined by Cory Doctorow, captures a trend where platforms initially provide value to users but later degrade that experience to prioritize business customers and profit. The cycle involves companies trapping users in their systems, extracting value from them, and ultimately allowing the platform's quality to deteriorate as they shift focus away from end-user satisfaction. Examples like Facebook's manipulated newsfeed algorithms and Amazon's ad-heavy search results illustrate how once-beneficial services can morph into frustrating experiences for casual users.
The Frog in Boiling Water Analogy
The discussion of crappification also draws on the frog-in-boiling-water analogy, illustrating how users become accustomed to the gradual decline in service quality. As platforms worsen their features, users often remain locked in due to the effort required to switch or uncertainty about alternatives. This creates a paradox where many choose to endure a subpar experience rather than seek better options, leading to a collective acceptance of decline. The conversation reflects the broader sense of frustration among users who recognize the changes but feel powerless to initiate a shift.
Impact on Legal Tech
The crappification trend is also notable within the legal technology landscape, where funding and venture capital create pressure for platforms to show rapid returns. This can lead to feature creep, where increasingly costly services provide less value to users, who may find themselves paying more for the same or deteriorating features. Concerns are raised about potential ads invading legal tech platforms or significant monetization strategies being imposed, further fragmenting a field that once promised accessibility and improvement. The example of outdated legal resources left with no updates underscores the risk of degradation in the reliability of platforms that users once counted on.
Potential Solutions and Consumer Responsibilities
Proposed solutions to combat crappification include enforcing antitrust laws, promoting interoperability, and enhancing consumer protections. These approaches aim to dismantle monopolies and foster competitive environments that compel platforms to improve services. Additionally, there is a push for individual users to take proactive roles, advocating for fair practices and supporting ethical tech models that prioritize user experience. The discussion emphasizes the importance of digital literacy and collaborative effort among consumers to initiate change and push back against the trends of degradation.
The all-too-common deterioration of internet platforms seems to lead users through a bait and switch that leaves them with little more than a bunch of crap. Why do platforms tend to start off with appealing, engaging features that eventually disappear? Dennis and Tom talk about a recently coined term, which, for the purposes of this podcast, they call “encrappification”, and what, if anything, can be done to stop it.
Later, the guys discuss the pros and cons of employing general use AI platforms versus legal-specific AI tools.
As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation that you can use the second the podcast ends.
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