The Prospect Podcast Cory Doctorow: How the internet went to sh*t
Nov 26, 2025
Cory Doctorow, a journalist and tech activist known for his work with the Electronic Frontier Foundation and his book 'Enshittification', discusses why digital platforms deteriorate over time. He highlights how financial incentives lead to user exploitation and the impact of AI on this decline. Cory connects policy choices to the current state of tech, advocating for stricter regulations and community preservation. He also shares insights on the importance of civic engagement and the potential for a more equitable digital future.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Enshittification Is Policy, Not Fate
- Enshittification describes platforms degrading once policy constraints loosen and abuse becomes profitable.
- Cory Doctorow argues this decay is predictable and caused by policy choices, not inevitable economics.
From Self-Determination To Roach Motels
- Early internet had technical self-determination so users could fix problems or build around them.
- Web 2.0 lowered entry costs but created platforms users couldn't easily leave, trapping communities.
LiveJournal, MySpace And Trapped Communities
- LiveJournal and MySpace communities migrated when platforms got bought and abused, and many users escaped to other places.
- But Cory Doctorow notes Facebook trapped communities by importing their old posts, preventing easy migration later.