About Enshitification

In chats with millennials this old GenXer has come across a new term "enshitification" to me it feels a whole lot like the idea of alienation discussed by Marx. This intro is written by me but the bulk of this article is either AI generated or generated by error screens trying to use AI. This article discusses what Chat GPT has to say when presented with the question "Discuss the relationship between enshitification and alienation from a Marxist perspective". Here is what it says.

The concept of "enshitification," often popularized in contemporary discourse, refers to the decline in quality and user experience in services, products, or platforms as they prioritize profit over user satisfaction. This notion can be analyzed through a Marxist lens, particularly in relation to the concept of alienation.

Enshitification

In a Marxist context, enshitification can be viewed as a symptom of capitalist modes of production, where the profit motive leads to the degradation of quality. Companies, driven by the need to maximize shareholder value, may cut costs, reduce investment in quality, or prioritize ad revenue over user experience. This commodification can result in products or services that no longer serve the needs of users effectively, leading to dissatisfaction and disillusionment.

Alienation

Alienation, a central theme in Marxist theory, refers to the estrangement individuals feel from the products of their labor, the labor process, and their fellow workers. In a capitalist system, workers often become disconnected from the outcomes of their work, as they produce goods that are owned and profited from by others. This alienation can extend beyond labor to the consumption of goods and services.

Relationship Between Enshitification and

Alienation

Alienation from Quality: As products and services become "enshitified," users may feel alienated from their consumption experience. They engage with platforms or goods that no longer meet their needs or expectations, leading to a sense of disconnection from the very things they use.

Labor Alienation: Workers producing these enshitified goods often face alienation in their labor processes. When companies prioritize profit over quality, workers may feel that their skills and efforts are undervalued. This can lead to a demoralized workforce, contributing to further declines in product quality.

Consumer Alienation: Consumers may also experience alienation from the brands they once trusted. As they encounter more enshitified experiences, they may feel powerless in a market that prioritizes profit over their needs. This disconnect can lead to frustration and a search for alternatives, yet the cycle often repeats in a capitalist framework.

Technological Alienation: In the digital realm, enshitification is often facilitated by algorithms and automated systems that prioritize profit-driven metrics. Users may feel alienated from technology that increasingly serves corporate interests rather than enhancing their experiences.

Conclusion

From a Marxist perspective, enshitification and alienation are interconnected phenomena that illustrate the pitfalls of a capitalist system. As companies prioritize profit at the expense of quality and user satisfaction, both workers and consumers can experience deepening alienation, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of values in production and consumption. This perspective encourages a critical examination of how we engage with products and services in a capitalist society, emphasizing the importance of quality, community, and genuine human needs.