The evasive evitability of enshittification

Avery Pennarun's blog post, republished by Tailscale, explores the concept of "enshittification," a term coined by Corey Doctorow to describe how successful software products often degrade as companies prioritize short-term revenue over user satisfaction. Pennarun argues that enshittification is not a natural consequence of success but rather a result of fear-driven decisions and loss of control, often triggered by market saturation or changes in leadership. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive feedback loop of user love and product improvements to avoid this decline. Pennarun suggests that companies can counteract the forces leading to enshittification by keeping a broad and user-focused vision, retaining control to prevent mismanagement, and being vigilant of market saturation. He also cautions founders against making decisions that compromise product quality and urges them to remain true to their initial values and integrity, underscoring that while enshittification is common, it is not inevitable if careful planning and commitment to user satisfaction are maintained.