Tech Activist Cory Doctorow Details “Enshittification” of the Internet in New Book
Author and activist Cory Doctorow argues that the rapid decline in quality and user experience across popular online platforms is not accidental, but the result of deliberate policy choices, as detailed in his new book, “Enshittification: Why Everything Got Worse and What to Do About It.”
Doctorow, known for his work in science fiction and digital rights advocacy, identifies a pattern he terms “enshittification” – the cycle where online services initially benefit users, then prioritize sellers, and ultimately exploit both in pursuit of profit. He analyzes examples including TikTok, Google Search, email services, and music streaming platforms, noting their swift deterioration despite initial promise. This trend has sparked growing concern among users about data privacy and the increasing dominance of a few tech giants.
According to Doctorow, this “Enshittocene,” as he calls the current era, is driven by specific decisions made by identifiable individuals. “This era…is the result of specific policy decisions, made by named individuals,” he writes, adding that these policies are not immutable and those responsible can be held accountable. He suggests reversing these policies is key to restoring a more user-friendly internet, a concept explored further in discussions about digital rights and online freedom.
The book, released yesterday, October 17, 2025, proposes solutions to address the issues outlined, aiming to reclaim the internet’s original potential for open access and innovation. Doctorow plans a series of public appearances and online discussions to promote the book and advocate for policy changes, and has stated he will be working with advocacy groups to push for greater tech accountability, as reported by The Verge.
Airdate: Monday, October 20 at 9AM
Cory Doctorow coined a word to describe how what we once loved about the internet, and relied on, has become exploitative, corrosive, and anti-user. And now he’s written a book about it, “Enshittification: Why Everything Got Worse and What to Do About It.” He analyzes how TikTok, Google Search, email, music streaming and other services and platforms – technology that we expect to always improve – have declined so fast. But the tech activist and science fiction writer insists it can be fixed. “This era, the Enshittocene, is the result of specific policy decisions, made by named individuals,” he writes, and those policies can be reversed and the individuals can be held accountable. We talk to him about what’s gone wrong and how we can make a new, good internet.
