Macquarie Names 2024 Word: Enshittification

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Post on Nov 26, 2024

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Macquarie Dictionary Names "Enshittification" Its 2024 Word of the Year: What It Means and Why It Matters

Hey everyone, so you've probably heard the buzz – Macquarie Dictionary just named "enshittification" its word of the year for 2024. Yeah, I know, it sounds kinda harsh, right? Like something you'd mutter under your breath after a particularly frustrating day. But honestly, I think it totally nails the feeling of so many online experiences these days.

I mean, who hasn't felt the slow, creeping degradation of something once good? It's like that favorite local cafe, you know? The one with the killer coffee and awesome vibe. Then, BAM! – new owners, cheaper beans, plastic cups, and suddenly it's just… blah. That, my friends, is enshittification in action. And it's not just limited to cafes!

My Own Enshittification Story (and how I learned a thing or two)

Remember MySpace? Oh man, MySpace. Back in the day, it was the place to be. I spent hours customizing my profile, adding all the crazy graphics and music. Then... the ads. More ads. Then the pop-ups... It became sluggish, cluttered... It totally lost it's mojo. It just got slowly worse, bit by bit. That was a prime example of what the word "enshittification" describes.

I was super bummed. Seriously, I lost my digital home. But, I learned something from that experience: It's not just about making something popular – it's about maintaining quality. This is a lesson in digital product management, website design, and honestly life in general. We all need to be wary of the creeping creep of the gradual decline.

What Causes Enshittification?

This word highlights a crucial issue: the gradual decline of something due to a cynical disregard for quality, often driven by profit motives. It's about cutting corners, prioritizing short-term gains over long-term sustainability. Think about free services that slowly introduce more and more ads or subscription fees. Or software that gets bogged down with unnecessary features, making it clunky and hard to use. It is often a side effect of prioritizing profit and scale over the user experience.

How to Combat Enshittification (Tips and Tricks)

So, what can we do about this? How can we avoid being victims of enshittification? Well, I've got a few ideas, based on my years of witnessing and even experiencing this gradual decay:

• Vote with your wallet: If a service starts to suck, stop using it. Seriously! Let those companies know that you won't tolerate it. This is, seriously, one of the most important points.
• Support independent creators: This is often a better alternative to large companies. Often, they maintain higher standards and are more focused on quality than on aggressive growth.
• Read reviews and ratings: before committing to a product or service. See what other people are saying. It’s a great reality check.
• Speak up: Leave feedback, contact customer service, let your voice be heard! Companies are more responsive than you might think.

Enshittification is not inevitable. We have the power to resist it, but only by being actively involved. By supporting businesses that value quality over sheer profit, we can influence the market. It takes effort, but hey, isn't it worth saving our favorite things from a slow, agonizing decline? I know I'll be more conscious of the creeping degradation of services from now on. I hope you will, too!