The Rise of Low-Quality Content and the Hunger for Something More

In this week's Future Story, we explore, in the words of Cory Doctorow , "Enshittification ": in simple terms, the decreasing quality of online platforms and shallow reposts—the picture of a repost—are driven by a monopolistic platform position, attention-grabbing, our individual need for positive feedback, and AI-generated content.

I mix it with the movement of Gen Z's ‘rediscovering’ the public library with the #BookTok trend, which has more than 30 million mentions on TikTok and is where people suggest books to read.

Finally, we add the search for authenticity and how to foster happiness by teaching it in school.

Enjoy the next 7 minutes, and let me know what you think about this trend.

Are we losing control of the quality of internet content?

On the run? No problem; the story is also available on our favorite Podcast Platform with my cloned AI voice!

Doris: 2034, Germany

Stuttgart's bustling heart couldn't drown out the digital noise buzzing in front of Doris's head in her augmented reality glasses. She craved a different kind of refuge. The imposing library doors beckoned a promise of respite from the constant barrage of notifications and shallow feeds flooding her augmented reality feed.

Doris pushed open the library doors, a wave of hushed reverence washing over her. The scent of paper, a stark contrast to the digital's cold sterility, filled her senses. Her eyes, accustomed to the flickering news, now focused on one warm leather spine of a book, a welcome change.

"Holding a book, feeling its weight, reminds me of what's real in a world that often feels too virtual."

She wandered deeper, the rhythmic hush a balm to her ears. Suddenly, the augmented glasses that she wrapped around her wrist shattered the tranquillity. A celebrity feud, another clickbait headline she saw on the display. She silenced it and pulled her sleeve over the glasses, her gaze hardening with a new resolve to reclaim her peace.

Doris paused, drawn to a title on a nearby table: a 35-year-old man, deeply engrossed in "The Internet Con," captures her attention. A pang of recognition shot through her. The book dissects the digital era's descent into "Enshittification," a term resonating with Doris, though she listened only to a summary quite some time ago. This book, she realized remembered distantly, speaks of an internet trapped in the mundane cycle of repetitive content dictated by monopolistic platforms. This shift towards seeking authentic experiences signals a societal awakening, particularly among the youth, who flock to the library not just for study but as a crucible for personal expression and a sanctuary for the authenticity of physical books.

In this man's absorption with "The Internet Con," Doris sees a reflection of her quest—seeking identity and connection in a landscape increasingly dominated by virtual facades.

The sun dips lower as Doris locks the library's doors behind her, the day's tranquility giving way to the evening's anticipation. Her rhythmic and sure steps lead her through the city's twilight-lit streets towards another sanctuary—where the past and present blend in the harmonious vinyl crackle. The record shop, her labor of love, represents authenticity in a world increasingly defined by digital replication.

As she pushes open the door, the familiar scent of aged vinyl and the soft, ageless hume welcomes her into the space she and her friends have nurtured into a haven for analog enthusiasts. The walls, lined with records spanning decades and genres, tell stories of musical revolutions and cultural shifts, each album a testament to the enduring power of tangible art.

Max, a towering figure with a salt-and-pepper beard, leaned against the counter, flipping through a stack of records with the reverence of a curator handling priceless artifacts. His presence, as much a part of the shop as the records themselves, signals the start of an evening that promises more than just musical exploration.

"Doris!" boomed Max, his voice laced with barely contained excitement. "You won't believe what I just unearthed!" He carefully lifted a dusty vinyl record from the stack, its worn cover adorned with a cryptic symbol. "This might just change everything."

The music washed over them as Max, voice warm with nostalgia, began dissecting the album's production. Doris tried to focus, but the day's events gnawed at her.

The conversation steered towards technology's shadow. Max leaned forward, voice dropping to a whisper. "AI was supposed to be a utopia, remember? Now it feels like a dystopian sci-fi flick." A glint of determination flickered in Doris's eyes.

Max's mention of "The Internet Con" threads their dialogue together, encapsulating the collective unease with a digital landscape that has promised much yet delivered a reality fraught with complexity and compromise.

Remember when the internet democratized information?" Max chuckled, shaking his head. "Now it's a swamp."

Their conversation exposes a deep yearning for authenticity, a shared desire for real connection in a world dominated by the virtual. This hunger has drawn them, and countless others, to havens like the library and the vinyl shop.

As Doris flips the "Closed" sign, the final notes of the record vanish. Reflecting on the day, she finds solace in contrasting the digital noise outside and the authentic connections within these walls. Here, art, truth, and connection remain vibrant.

Fueled by Max's insights, Doris springs into action with a vision. She wants to contribute and sets a step to mix her love of music with the need she hears from her friends for more authenticity and to take control. She arranges some chairs and sets up night sessions for more digital self-defense. Here, amidst the vinyl and music icons, Doris empowers all to take more control; encryption has become a tool, VPNs are a lifeline, and there is an ethical demand for tech. Eager faces, young and old, fill the sessions, mixing discussions with beats.

The shop's evolution is meteoric. Word spreads through the community, and Doris's humble endeavor soon becomes a space buzzed with discussions that leap from the latest vinyl releases to the intricacies of data privacy, from the soulful depths of jazz improvisation to the critical need for supporting ethical technology platforms. This unique blend of topics attracts a diverse crowd, united in their quest for a more authentic, balanced existence.