What Does Enshittification Mean?

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Post on Nov 26, 2024

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What Does Enshittification Mean? Understanding the Downward Spiral of Services

The internet is rife with jargon, and lately, a word has been making its rounds: "enshittification." While it might sound like a made-up word from a dystopian novel, it's a surprisingly accurate description of a common process affecting many online services and even some real-world businesses. So, what does enshittification mean? Simply put, it describes the process by which a service, initially offered for free or at a low cost, gradually deteriorates in quality while simultaneously adding more and more restrictions and monetization schemes.

The Stages of Enshittification: A Gradual Decline

The term, coined by writer Cory Doctorow, outlines a clear pattern. It's not a sudden collapse, but a slow, insidious decline. Let's break down the stages:

1. The Golden Age: A Service Born of Passion (or Profit)

This initial phase sees a service launched, often with a focus on user experience and a genuine desire to provide value. Whether it's a free online tool, a subscription service, or even a local business, this stage is characterized by quality and (potentially) affordability.

2. The Monetization Phase: Introducing Ads and Premium Features

As the service gains traction, the desire for profit kicks in. This usually involves the introduction of advertisements, premium features, or a freemium model. While this isn't inherently negative, it often marks the beginning of the decline.

3. The Degradation Phase: Cutting Corners and Compromising Quality

This is where the enshittification really begins. To maximize profits, businesses might cut corners: reducing customer support, lowering the quality of free services, and prioritizing profit over user experience. Features might be stripped away, bugs might go unfixed, and overall functionality might suffer.

4. The User Hostility Phase: Maximizing Profits at the Expense of Users

The service, now primarily focused on profit extraction, becomes actively hostile towards its users. This can manifest in many ways: aggressive advertising, paywalls for previously free features, manipulative design choices (dark patterns), and a general disregard for user feedback.

5. The Death Spiral: A Service Beyond Repair

In the final stage, the service might completely collapse under the weight of its own greed, or it might simply limp along, a shell of its former self, surviving only on inertia and a dwindling user base.

Examples of Enshittification in Action

While many online services have shown signs of enshittification, it's not limited to the digital world. Consider:

• Streaming services: Increasing subscription prices, removing content, and introducing ads despite already high costs are prime examples.
• Social media platforms: The shift towards algorithm-driven feeds prioritizing engagement over quality content, combined with aggressive monetization strategies, is a classic case.
• Software applications: The introduction of bloatware, unnecessary features, and aggressive update schedules are also indicative of enshittification.

Avoiding the Enshittification Trap: What Users Can Do

While we can't stop every service from succumbing to the process of enshittification, we can actively fight against it. Support services that prioritize user experience, actively seek out alternatives when a service starts to decline, and voice your concerns when you see warning signs.

By understanding what enshittification means, we can become more aware consumers and promote a more sustainable and user-friendly online ecosystem. The fight against enshittification is a collective effort, requiring both user awareness and a change in the business practices of those providing online services.