Enshittification Was a Choice - Understanding Internet Platform Consolidation

Watch a thought-provoking 18-minute keynote address where science fiction author, activist, and journalist Cory Doctorow examines how specific policy decisions led to the internet's "enshittification" - the consolidation of online spaces into giant platforms that ultimately proved detrimental to both users and businesses. Explore how the internet transformed from its original decentralized state into what's often described as "five giant websites filled with screenshots of the other four." Learn why this transformation wasn't inevitable but rather the result of deliberate choices, and discover why creating a better internet future requires not just technological solutions but also carefully considered policy changes. Gain insights into how policy frameworks shaped our current digital landscape and understand what steps might be necessary to build a more open and user-friendly internet ecosystem.