Google’s story over the last two decades has been a tale as old as time: enshittification for growth. The once-beloved startup—with its unofficial “Don’t Be Evil” motto—has instead become a major Internet monopolist, as a federal judge ruled on Monday, dominating the market for online search. Google is also well-known for its data-harvesting practices, for constantly killing off products, and for facilitating the rise of brain-cell-destroying YouTubers who make me Fear for Today’s Youth. (Maybe that last one is just me?)
Google’s rapid rise from “scrappy search engine with doodles” to “dystopic mega-corporation” has been remarkable in many ways, especially when you consider just how much goodwill the company squandered so quickly. Along the way, though, Google has achieved one unexpected result: In a divided America, it offers just about everyone something to hate.
Here are just a few of the players hating Google today.
Strange, they don’t seem to hate it enough to stop using it.
Sadly a lot of content is only on YouTube, and you only live once.
It’s only on YouTube because people only upload it there.
People do upload to other sites, especially when YouTube won’t host it, but sadly sometimes it’s banned for a good reason.
I hope either Grayjay will take off or something like it will, because lowering the barrier to getting users to switch platforms is the right way forward. If enough creators upload to multiple sites, users can choose the site they like the most.
I wish more people used Peertube, but the monetization issue needs to be “solved” somehow.
For situations like encouraging authors of works where I lack specific solution to the issue then I fall back on old reliable: universal basic income. When people work as a matter of getting money for a better life, rather than survival, then people are able to take bigger risks when it comes to creative works.
I know, let’s add crypto somehow!
Cody Doctorow talks about this. I won’t quote the link because the whole text is basically that, why people stick to hostile platforms.
I really don’t need it explained. I know why they do it.
Sorry - I posted this link as further info for anyone who’s reading this. I didn’t want to convey that you need it; if someone else does want/need it, great.
Work in progress
The lesson is never trust any corporation ever. A lot of people fell for their schtick and feel stuck now. The cohort of users on this fediverse platform are gonna trend towards more anti-corporate and more tech savvy. The best thing we can be right now is gracious towards those realizing a titch too late how fucked everything is
That’s the nasty thing about monopolies…