“Enshittification is when you combine the banality of evil with an internet-connected device and a federal law that criminalizes doing anything with that device that the manufacturer dislikes.” (p 141)
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| Why “everything” got worse — easy answer: in this book, “everything” pretty much adds up to Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, the iPhone, and maybe Google. |
Does Cory Doctorow have a life outside of the online world? He probably does. However, you wouldn’t know it from this book, despite a brief acknowledgement of the mess the US is in because of our hideous administration in Washington. The book is a weird read because it’s so devoid of what I would call real life. Does the man ever eat? Read fiction? Go for a walk? I understand that every book has to have a focus, but this book reaches a lot of conclusions based on a kind of hyper-focus that makes it seem distorted.
Here’s a summary of what he means by everything: “We are living through a Great Enshittening. Somehow, humans have unleashed the Enshittocene, in which all of our artifacts and hyperobjects are turning into piles of shit.” (p. 55)
Ok, there’s occasional mention of history:
“Never let anyone tell you that the Luddites were afraid of technology or angry about ‘progress.’ That’s a lie propagated by history’s winners, whose great fortunes required oceans of blood from child laborers, murdered protesters, and enslaved Africans in the ‘New World’ who provided the cotton for their machines.” (p. 196)
The book is a dense read: in fact, I had to read the first half of it twice. There’s a lot of real information about the very recent history of technology. But the author considerably overstates the claim that he covers everything. In fact, as I said, it’s hyperfocused.
UPDATE: Cory Doctorow’s summary of the current state of the main points of the book, in case you want the abbreviated version:
Stuff from Real Life: Good and Evil
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| New table and chairs in my little House at Pooh Corner. NOTE: Of course I know that’s Paddington, not Pooh. But Pooh built a house (at Pooh Corner) and Paddington didn’t have a house of his own. So it’s the HOUSE that I named, not the bear. Bears are generous and share with one another.  The house Pooh built for Eeyore. |
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| Renewed effort to go to the fitness center. |
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| New recipe: Len’s Shrimp Curry Dinner. |
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| There’s always something to try at Trader Joe’s. |
HEADLINES FROM RECENT NEWS
Rubio Tells Lawmakers Trump Wants to Buy Greenland
President Trump has said since his first term that he wants to acquire Greenland, and he asked aides for an updated plan on Monday. European leaders reject the president’s assertions.
Trump administration halts more than $10bn for childcare and family assistance
Democrats condemn move in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York, calling it ‘vindictive’ and ‘cruel
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| We have had some snow but not excessive! |
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| Dreaming of Paris which is snow-covered this week. |
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| It’s always good to think about penguins! |
