Enshittification

Enshittification is a term coined by science fiction author Cory Doctorow to describe the gradual decline in the quality of an online service or product. It's a process that often begins with a company providing high-quality offerings to attract users. Once they have a loyal customer base, the company may start to cut corners, reduce the quality, or increase the price of their product or service.

There are many examples of enshittification in the tech world. One example is the social media platform Facebook. When Facebook first launched, it was a simple and easy-to-use platform that users loved. Over time, however, Facebook has added features, changed its design, and started to collect more data on its users. As a result, many users feel that Facebook has become more difficult to use and less enjoyable.

Another example of enshittification is the video game industry. In the early days of the industry, games were often developed by small teams of passionate developers. However, as the industry grew, big companies began to take over. These companies are more focused on making money than on making quality games. As a result, many games today are rushed out the door and filled with bugs.

Enshittification can be a frustrating experience for users. It's disappointing to see a company that once made a great product or service start to decline. However, it's important to remember that enshittification is a common phenomenon in the tech world. It's important to be aware of the signs of enshittification so that you can make informed decisions about the products and services you use.

If you find yourself using a product or service that has become noticeably worse over time, you have two choices. You can either continue to use the product or service, or you can switch to a different one. If you decide to continue using the product or service, just be aware that it may continue to decline. If you decide to switch to a different product or service, you may be able to find one that meets your needs.