Enshittification

What's Enshittification Happening?

A growing trend has emerged in recent times, leaving many questioning the quality of products and services we use every day. According to Google Trends, the term "Enshittification" has been trending, with a significant volume of traffic in the United States. But what is Enshittification, and why is it making headlines?

Official Coverage

Australia's oldest dictionary, the Macquarie Dictionary, has chosen "Enshittification" as the word of 2024. According to Al Jazeera, the term refers to the deterioration of products and services, often resulting from a reduction in quality (Al Jazeera, 2024).

Similarly, The Jakarta Post reports that the Macquarie Dictionary defines Enshittification as "the gradual deterioration of a service or product brought about by a reduction in the quality of service provided" (The Jakarta Post, 2024).

The choice of Enshittification as the word of the year suggests a growing awareness of the issue among consumers. It highlights the frustration people feel when they notice a decline in the quality of products or services they use.

Background Context

While the term Enshittification is relatively new, the concept is not. Many critics of corporate culture and business models have long argued that companies prioritize profits over customer satisfaction, leading to a decline in quality. This trend is often associated with the rise of digital products and services, which can be easily replicated and updated without significant investments.

Unverified sources suggest that Enshittification may be linked to anti-corporate activism, criticisms of companies, and the history of the internet. However, these claims are based on unverified sources and should be treated with caution.

Impact Analysis

The impact of Enshittification is multifaceted. On one hand, it highlights the growing awareness among consumers of the importance of quality products and services. On the other hand, it raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of business models that prioritize profits over customer satisfaction.

As consumers become more aware of Enshittification, they are likely to demand better quality products and services. This, in turn, may lead to increased competition among companies, driving innovation and improvement in the quality of products and services.

Future Implications

The implications of Enshittification are far-reaching. As consumers continue to demand better quality products and services, companies may be forced to re-evaluate their business models and prioritize customer satisfaction. This trend may also lead to increased regulation and oversight of industries, ensuring that companies meet minimum standards of quality.

In conclusion, Enshittification is a growing trend that highlights the importance of quality products and services. As consumers become more aware of this issue, companies will be forced to adapt and prioritize customer satisfaction. The future implications of Enshittification are significant, and it will be interesting to see how companies respond to this trend.

References:

Al Jazeera. (2024, November 26). What many of us feel: Enshittification named word of the year. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/26/what-many-of-us-feel-enshittification-named-word-of-the-year

The Jakarta Post. (2024, November 26). Australian dictionary picks 'enshittification' as word of the year. Retrieved from https://www.thejakartapost.com/culture/2024/11/26/australian-dictionary-picks-enshittification-as-word-of-the-year.html