24 November

Scrolling the FB feed, have a rough look at how many posts the algorithms now show you that are actually from your friends, compared to the number that are product placements, or ‘suggested’ things you might like based on some idiot thing you accidentally clicked on (I’m currently inundated with windscreen wiper blade ads). This is what Cory Doctorow calls enshittification. The platform first gets you here, connected with all of your friends. That gives it inertia, people don’t want to lose those connections. Then it bombards you with constant advertising. At the same time it sells this direct product placement, to the advertisers. Once they’re hooked, it then siphons off their revenue to FB. I’ve been trying to think of a phrase to describe the FB experience now. I think it’s like being stuck on a Danoz Direct marketing channel.