From Digital Dystopia to Utopia: A Call to Move Away From 'Enshittification'

From Digital Dystopia to Utopia: A Call to Move Away From 'Enshittification'
👋 Hi, I am Mark. I am a strategic futurist and innovation keynote speaker. I advise governments and enterprises on emerging technologies such as AI or the metaverse. My subscribers receive a free weekly newsletter on cutting-edge technology.

In the vividly coined term "enshittification," a concept emerges that encapsulates the gradual degradation of online platforms, a phenomenon not just limited to social media giants like Facebook but potentially encompassing the entire digital ecosystem.

The term, rooted in a blend of humor and critique, outlines a journey from user-centric beginnings to a phase where platforms prioritize profit over user experience, leading to a landscape cluttered with dissatisfaction and diminishing value. This trajectory isn't just a critique of business practices but a wake-up call highlighting a broader societal challenge: how to reclaim and ensure the digital spaces that shape our lives remain enriching and empowering.

The narrative of "enshittification" isn't just about digital decay; it's a rallying cry for proactive change, urging a shift from passive consumption to active, engaged stewardship of our digital futures.

Could this be the moment we pivot from highlighting problems to implementing solutions, moving from diagnosing the "enshittocene" to actively crafting a "disenshittified" digital age and build an internet that works for humanity instead of for profit-seeking organizations?

Read the full article on Financial Times.

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Dr Mark van Rijmenam

Dr Mark van Rijmenam

Dr. Mark van Rijmenam, widely known as The Digital Speaker, isn’t just a #1-ranked global futurist; he’s an Architect of Tomorrow who fuses visionary ideas with real-world ROI. As a global keynote speaker, Global Speaking Fellow, recognized Global Guru Futurist, and 5-time author, he ignites Fortune 500 leaders and governments worldwide to harness emerging tech for tangible growth.

Recognized by Salesforce as one of 16 must-know AI influencers , Dr. Mark brings a balanced, optimistic-dystopian edge to his insights—pushing boundaries without losing sight of ethical innovation. From pioneering the use of a digital twin to spearheading his next-gen media platform Futurwise, he doesn’t just talk about AI and the future—he lives it, inspiring audiences to take bold action. You can reach his digital twin via WhatsApp at: +1 (830) 463-6967.

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