Intelligence Squared Why Does It Feel Like Everything is Getting Worse? With Cory Doctorow
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Oct 17, 2025 
Cory Doctorow, a renowned author and tech policy advocate, dives into the concept of 'enshittification'—how digital platforms decay from user-friendly to frustrating. He explains that this decline is intentional and motivated by profit. Doctorow outlines a three-stage model of platform deterioration and emphasizes the role of monopolies in this process. He advocates for competitive practices, privacy reforms, and the repeal of restrictive laws to foster a healthier digital ecosystem. It’s a call to action for reclaiming our online spaces.
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Facebook's Early Privacy Promise
- Mark Zuckerberg initially pitched Facebook as a privacy-respecting alternative to MySpace.
- Users were promised only to see content they asked for, which later changed as the business model shifted.
Monopsony Amplifies Lock‑In
- Monopsony power (powerful buyers) can lock publishers and advertisers into platforms as much as monopoly power locks users.
- That interlocking lock-in makes the enclosure of surplus systemic and durable.
Law, Not Tech, Blocks Escape Ladders
- Anti‑circumvention laws removed the tech constraint that used to allow counter‑technologies like ad blockers.
- That legal lock prevents outsiders from building escapes, solidifying platform control.
