

Introducing "Understood: Who Broke Internet"
10 snips Jul 15, 2025
Cory Doctorow, a science fiction writer and internet activist, delves into the evolution of the digital landscape from a vibrant community to a cluttered ad-filled space. He critiques tech giants for the decline in internet quality, coining the term 'inshittification' to describe the degradation of user experience. The conversation highlights the internal struggles at Google between revenue generation and user satisfaction. Doctorow offers a path for reclaiming the internet as a space for open communication and creativity.
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Google's 'Code Yellow' Crisis
- Google received an urgent 'code yellow' alert in 2019 about slowing search query growth.
- Internal emails revealed pressure to degrade search quality so users would search more and see more ads.
Internet-Wide 'Shittification'
- The entire internet is undergoing 'shittification' where platforms worsen user experience for profit.
- Major sites like Amazon, Netflix, and Facebook exemplify this deteriorating trend.
Early Internet Optimism
- Early internet pioneers saw it as a revolutionary, open communication tool.
- Users enjoyed vibrant communities like Usenet, sharing ideas freely and connecting globally.