Cory Doctorow is a prominent science fiction author, activist, and journalist known for his writing on technology, policy, and social issues, particularly his concept of "enshittification."
His work on enshittification has gained significant attention and has been discussed widely in tech and media circles.
- Doctorow coined the term "enshittification" to describe the process by which online digital platforms, initially offering value to users, then degrade their service and features to prioritize business customers and shareholders and subscribers have upgrade to a more costly membership to get the same service thy had before..
- He argues that this is a predictable outcome of two-sided markets where platforms mediate between users and business customers, but the platform gains dominance over both groups and is able to exploit them ,shifting value from both groups to itself.
- Arguing that they prioritize their own financial gain ie profit , over providing a quality search experience.
- He gives Amazon, Spotify, Netflix , Google search as examples of enshittification.
While its in Cambridge dictionary here its still only in Merriam Webster as a slang word.
The Black Mirror: Common People (2025) episode explores this well. Where it got so bad he had to kill his wife to escape the cycle he was put in.
Season 7, Episode 1
https://www.imdb.com/review/rw10443959/?ref_=tt_ururv_c_1_hd
It will be easier to quote a reviewer
That's How the Subscription Kills You
10 April 2025
"Common people" is a thought-provoking eps that masterfully explores the dark side of modern subscription-based systems. It begins innocently - with a free offer that seems too good to resist. You accept it, enjoy it, and slowly begin to rely on it. It integrates seamlessly into your daily life, offering convenience, pleasure, and even a sense of control. But just when you're fully invested, the trap is sprung. Essential features that once felt like a given are suddenly locked behind a paywall. The system begins to tighten its grip, and if you want to continue experiencing the same level of comfort and functionality, you're forced to subscribe.
What makes this film so compelling is the way it mirrors real-life consumer behavior. It captures the psychological manipulation behind free trials and freemium models - how companies build dependence, then monetize it. The story is told with a dark, almost sinister tone, gradually immersing the viewer in a world where freedom of choice is an illusion, and the price of convenience is far higher than it first appears.
Brilliantly written and emotionally resonant, this episode doesn't just entertain - it warns. It holds up a mirror to our digital habits and asks us to consider: in a world where everything is a subscription, how much of our freedom are we willing to give away?
What makes this film so compelling is the way it mirrors real-life consumer behavior. It captures the psychological manipulation behind free trials and freemium models - how companies build dependence, then monetize it. The story is told with a dark, almost sinister tone, gradually immersing the viewer in a world where freedom of choice is an illusion, and the price of convenience is far higher than it first appears.
Brilliantly written and emotionally resonant, this episode doesn't just entertain - it warns. It holds up a mirror to our digital habits and asks us to consider: in a world where everything is a subscription, how much of our freedom are we willing to give away?
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