Word of the Day… not actually daily, but whenever I encounter one I think worth sharing and there are not too many on my landing page. Words have always fascinated me, and I am a fan of all types of word play, especially puns. I have a hard time not looking up a word that I am unfamiliar with or not sure of the definition. I like those authors that stretch me by throwing in unexpected terms.
- Noun: Enshittification
- an informal word used to criticize the degradation in the quality and experience of online platforms over time, due to an increase in advertisements, costs, or features. It can also refer more generally to any state of deterioration, especially in politics or society.
- For an expanded dive into this word follow this link to Wikipedia: Enshittification
- Synonyms:
- encrappification
- platform decay
- Encountered: While reading an article on Paul Krugman’s blog: Why Does Everyone Hate AI?
- Usage: “Why have Americans turned on tech companies? While it surely reflects growing awareness of the psychological and societal harm done by social media, much of it also reflects the enshittification of tech products.”
Unfortunately, the process of enshittification applies to much more than online platforms. Politics are deeply into this process, and it strikes me that our culture is also.
I will have to admit I am not a fan of AI for any number of reasons, but mainly because the way it is blurring the line between reality/truth and computer generated versions that frequently have little to do with either reality or truth.
To see more Words of the Day, visit this link: Words of the Day