Enshittification - BookWyrm

eBook, 240 pages

English language

Published 2025 by Farrar, Straus & Giroux.

ISBN:: 978-0-374-61933-6

(1 review)

Explaining the process of the “enshittification” of digital platforms over time and what to do about it.

Cory Doctorow's Enshittification takes a witty yet incisive look at the tech landscape, where platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Google start off great—before they inevitably turn terrible. In this contemporary moment of digital decline, Doctorow explores how tech giants lure users in with convenience and then degrade their services over time, squeezing profit at the cost of user experience. With a mix of sharp humor and deep insight, he unveils the slow creep of "enshittification," turning the online world into a worse place, one algorithm at a time.

1 edition

Rob reviewed Enshittification by Cory Doctorow

Insightful analysis and practical prescription to tackle enshittification

5 stars

A great read. Really clearly explains why and how products and services have gotten progressively worse for the consumer and society over the past several decades. Not just the obvious offenders such as Amazon, X (nee Twitter), Google and Facebook, but also the type of products that have no good reason to be 'smart'.

Cory Doctorow does a fantastic job explaining the policies and decisions that have led us to this point, as well as what needs to happen to tackle it. He doesn't focus on individualistic actions (many of those reading will already be taking action) but what wider societal, regulatory and legislative actions need to be taken to tackle this ever expanding enshittification.