2024 Word: Macquarie Chooses Enshittification

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Post on Nov 26, 2024

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2024 Word of the Year: Macquarie Dictionary Chooses "Enshittification" – and What It Means for Us

Hey everyone, so you've probably heard the buzz – Macquarie Dictionary just crowned "enshittification" as their 2024 Word of the Year. Seriously, I almost choked on my coffee when I saw that. Sounds kinda harsh, right? But honestly, after thinking about it, it's kinda perfect for the times we're living in.

I'll admit, when I first saw it, I was like, "WTF is enshittification?". I mean, it’s not exactly a word you hear every day, is it? It sounds like something out of a really bad sci-fi novel. Turns out, it's a pretty accurate description of a whole bunch of things happening in the world right now – and a few that happened to me personally.

<h3>What is Enshittification Anyway?</h3>

According to the Macquarie Dictionary, "enshittification" describes the process of something being gradually made worse, especially through neglect or deliberate acts of degradation. Think about it – that perfectly sums up so many of the frustrating trends we see today. From the slow decay of public services, to the erosion of trust in institutions, to those companies that deliberately make their products less user-friendly to push you towards a paid upgrade... it's all enshittification in action.

I had a personal experience with this a couple of years ago. Remember those old, reliable photo printers? Simple, easy to use, and did what they were supposed to do? I had one that lasted for years, but when it finally kicked the bucket I got a “new and improved” model. Guess what? It was a complete nightmare to use! The software was clunky, the print quality was worse, and the ink cartridges? Don't even get me started. That, my friends, is a textbook case of enshittification. They made a perfectly good product worse to push sales of overpriced, less functional upgrades. Total scam!

<h3>Enshittification in the Digital Age</h3>

The digital world is rife with examples, too. Think about those websites that are deliberately difficult to navigate. Or those apps with confusing interfaces and endless pop-up ads. It's all part of a larger strategy – enshittification designed to frustrate users to the point that they pay for a premium version or subscription.

This is related to the concept of planned obsolescence, which I’ve also written about before, though enshitification has a slightly different connotation. It's not just about products breaking down; it's about the deliberate degradation of the overall experience.

<h3>How to Combat Enshittification</h3>

But here's the thing – we don't have to stand idly by and watch everything around us get progressively worse. We can push back against this tide of enshittification.

• Vote with your wallet: Don't support companies that engage in these practices. If a product or service is frustrating or clearly designed to be worse than its predecessors, stop using it and let them know why.
• Speak out: Leave reviews (constructive ones, of course!), share your experiences on social media, and contact companies directly to express your dissatisfaction. Your voice matters!
• Support ethical businesses: Do your research and consciously choose businesses and organizations committed to quality and customer satisfaction. And let them know you appreciate it!

Enshittification might be a bleak word, but recognizing it is the first step to fighting back. It's about reclaiming control over our experiences and demanding better. It's not easy, but it's totally worth the fight. And let's face it, life's too short for crappy products and frustrating services.