The article reflects on the evolution of the internet, once seen as a liberating platform for communication and commerce, now deemed a chaotic and adverse environment, primarily due to oligarchic control. Initially, the internet fostered equal opportunities for individuals and small businesses, promoting free expression and competition against large corporations. However, this vibrant public square has deteriorated, with major platforms focusing on profit over user experience, resulting in a phenomenon termed “enshittification.”
Both Tim Wu’s The Age of Extraction and Cory Doctorow’s Enshittification analyze the shift towards a tech oligarchy, where a few powerful entities exploit users as resources rather than serving them, reminiscent of feudalism. They argue that the problem stems from anti-competitive practices that stifle innovation and maintain power for the elite.
Restoring the internet’s original promise requires breaking this oligarchy through effective anti-monopoly regulations, enabling a return to a more democratic and equitable online environment. The authors express hope that reasserting control over the digital public square is possible with the right political will and actions.
