Ever wondered how the vibrant, boundless promise of the internet morphed into a frustrating maze of ads, broken features, and corporate greed? That's the shocking reality Cory Doctorow dives into, and it's a wake-up call for anyone who once believed in the web's golden age. But here's where it gets controversial: Doctorow argues it's not just evolution—it's a deliberate decay we can actually reverse. Stick around, and you'll discover why platforms like TikTok and Google Search have deteriorated so rapidly, and what you can do to help rebuild a better online world.
Join us for an insightful episode titled 'Cory Doctorow on Why the Internet Got So Terrible, So Fast, and What to Do About It,' airing live on KQED this coming Monday, October 20th, at 9 AM. In this conversation, renowned science fiction author, tech activist, and journalist Cory Doctorow introduces a powerful new term he's coined: 'enshittification.' This word captures the troubling transformation of the internet's beloved features into something exploitative, harmful, and downright anti-user. Think of it like this—remember when social media was all about connecting with friends, or search engines delivered spot-on results without endless distractions? Now, it's often a slog, where companies prioritize profits over people. And this is the part most people miss: Doctorow isn't just complaining; he's penned a whole book on it, 'Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What We Can Do About It,' to dissect the phenomenon and offer solutions.
He examines how everyday tech giants—such as TikTok with its addictive algorithms that push endless content loops, Google Search that bombards users with sponsored links over useful answers, email services cluttered with unwanted promotions, and music streaming platforms that lock away your favorite tunes behind paywalls or degraded free tiers—have spiraled into decline. These are tools we once trusted to get better over time, yet they've worsened at breakneck speed. But Doctorow, ever the optimist, insists change is possible. He describes our current era as the 'Enshittocene,' a direct outcome of specific choices by identifiable policymakers and executives. Imagine a world where decisions to prioritize shareholder gains over user experience led to this mess—Doctorow boldly states that these policies can be rolled back, and the people behind them held responsible. It's a bold claim that sparks debate: Are tech moguls truly to blame, or do consumers share some responsibility by choosing convenience over ethics?
In this episode, we sit down with Doctorow himself to unpack what's gone awry in the digital landscape and brainstorm ways to forge a healthier, more user-friendly internet. As a guest, we're honored to have Cory Doctorow, the acclaimed science fiction writer, technology activist, and journalist whose latest work, 'Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What We Can Do About It,' is a must-read for tech enthusiasts and skeptics alike.
What do you think? Is the internet's decline inevitable, or can we truly hold the tech elite accountable and reclaim our online spaces? Do you agree that individual choices play a role, or is it all on the corporations? Share your thoughts in the comments—we'd love to hear your take and spark a conversation on building a brighter digital future!
