In the digital age, platforms often face a fork in the road: one path leads to long-term growth through genuine value creation, while the other succumbs to a practice that Cory Doctorow aptly described as "enshittification." This term encapsulates the gradual decline of a service as it prioritizes squeezing profits from end users and business customers over delivering quality experiences. While it may yield short-term gains for shareholders, this approach ultimately undermines the very foundation of success, leaving platforms—and their stakeholders—on shaky ground.
The Illusion of Short-Term Gains
At first glance, enshittification may appear to be a clever strategy. By introducing monetization schemes, reducing the quality of service, or altering algorithms to favor profitability, companies may see an initial surge in returns for shareholders. This immediate benefit creates the illusion of success, giving leadership a false sense of accomplishment.
However, this short-term gain comes at a significant cost. Alienating end users and business customers through higher fees, intrusive ads, reduced features, or declining service quality creates a backlash. Customers who once felt valued will inevitably look elsewhere for alternatives that respect their needs and provide better experiences. What follows is an exodus—first of loyal users, then of the business partners who depend on them.
The Domino Effect on Shareholders
Ironically, shareholders—who initially benefit from enshittification—are left in an increasingly precarious position. With user satisfaction plummeting, revenue begins to dry up. Business customers lose trust in the platform, further eroding profitability. Shareholders, once reaping rewards, now face shrinking opportunities and an unstable investment environment.
In essence, enshittification is a self-defeating cycle. By prioritizing short-term profits over long-term value, platforms risk not only their reputation but also their survival in an increasingly competitive landscape.
A Better Path Forward: Sustainability Over Exploitation
The antidote to enshittification lies in redefining success. Platforms must shift their focus from exploiting users and customers to investing in meaningful experiences and sustainable growth. This approach includes:
Prioritizing User Satisfaction: By listening to user feedback and delivering value, platforms can build long-term loyalty and trust.
Strengthening Business Relationships: Supporting business customers with reliable and fair practices fosters collaborative success and mutual growth.
Transparent Policies: Open communication about changes, fees, and algorithms creates goodwill and prevents feelings of exploitation.
Innovation and Investment: Reinvesting profits into research, development, and improved user experiences builds a competitive edge.
A Call to Action
The message is clear: stop engaging in enshittification. Platforms that choose exploitation over excellence may see a brief rise in profits, but they risk alienating the very users and businesses that sustain them. Shareholders, too, must recognize that sustainable investments are built on trust, quality, and mutual benefit—not short-sighted greed. Business do not last 100 years or more by engaging in enshittification.
In an era of rapid technological advancement and global connectivity, users and business customers have more choices than ever. Platforms that respect and value their communities will thrive, while those that resort to enshittification will find themselves left behind. The choice is simple: build something meaningful, or watch it crumble under its own weight.
How this Applies to Druwayu
This is more than a mere cautionary tale that aligns closely with Druwayu's values and teachings. Druwayu actively opposes practices that exploit or alienate individuals, whether in business, social structures, or community life. Here's how this applies:
Commitment to Ethical Responsibility: Druwayu emphasizes ethical behavior and the importance of treating all members of society with respect and fairness. Enshittification, which prioritizes short-term gains at the expense of trust and quality, goes against Druwayu's core values of integrity and long-term well-being.
Focus on Community Growth: Druwayu's teachings stress the importance of building inclusive and supportive communities. Practices like enshittification that alienate users and undermine mutual trust are inherently divisive, which contradicts Druwayu's commitment to fostering unity and shared progress.
Transparency and Objectivity: In Druwayu, honesty and clarity are highly valued. Enshittification, often driven by opaque policies and exploitative practices, violates these principles. Druwayu advocates for transparent interactions that empower individuals rather than exploit them.
Alignment with Universal Values: The virtues represented on Druwayu's flag—courage, mercy, justice, generosity, and faith—are incompatible with enshittification. Such practices undermine justice and generosity by prioritizing profits over ethical responsibility to users and society.
Commitment to Sustainability: Druwayu emphasizes adaptability and long-term thinking, encouraging the growth of systems and communities that thrive sustainably. Enshittification's focus on short-term shareholder profits runs counter to this approach, as it destabilizes systems in the long run.
By aligning itself with principles of transparency, integrity, and respect, Druwayu serves as a model for rejecting enshittification in favor of practices that prioritize collective well-being and sustainability. The call for sustainability, as emphasized in rejecting practices like enshittification, is essential for the long-term health of a country and its domestic businesses. Here's how this principle applies:
1. Stability of the Economy
Unsustainable practices, such as prioritizing short-term profits at the expense of quality and trust, destabilize industries by eroding customer loyalty. This weakens the domestic business sector and reduces the country’s economic resilience.
Focusing on sustainability ensures a steady flow of income and resources, creating a robust economy that benefits individuals, businesses, and the state.
2. Trust in Domestic Enterprises
Ethical business practices that prioritize value and transparency foster trust among consumers and international partners. This reputation boosts the country's standing in global markets and attracts investment.
Practices like enshittification, which alienate stakeholders, damage trust and discourage both consumer loyalty and international collaboration.
3. Support for Innovation
Sustainable approaches encourage long-term investment in research and innovation. Businesses that focus on improving their products or services rather than exploiting users are better positioned to adapt to market needs.
A culture of innovation not only strengthens individual enterprises but also promotes the global competitiveness of domestic industries.
4. Resilience in Changing Times
By adopting sustainable practices, businesses and governments build resilience against economic shocks, shifts in consumer behavior, and global crises.
Countries that encourage sustainable growth over exploitation create environments where businesses can thrive without collapsing under pressure from declining consumer trust or competition.
5. Promotion of Social Cohesion
Sustainable practices align with ethical values like fairness and equity, which are crucial for maintaining social stability. Businesses that prioritize the well-being of employees, customers, and stakeholders contribute to a more harmonious society.
Unsustainable models, which exploit resources and labor, can lead to social unrest, inequality, and a fragmented workforce.
6. Attraction of Talent and Resources
Countries and businesses that focus on sustainability attract skilled workers who value ethical practices. This creates a stronger, more motivated workforce that contributes to growth and innovation.
Investors and consumers increasingly prefer companies with transparent and sustainable operations, making this approach vital for long-term success.
In essence, sustainability serves as the backbone of economic, social, and environmental health. For a country and its domestic businesses, it ensures ongoing prosperity, stability, and global relevance while safeguarding the well-being of future generations.
How this Applies to Dhuwayb's concept of Ethical Capitalism
Ethical capitalism is an economic philosophy that seeks to balance profitability with social responsibility, fairness, and sustainability. It emphasizes the idea that businesses can generate profit while also acting in ways that benefit society, protect the environment, and uphold moral principles. This approach contrasts with exploitative practices that prioritize short-term profits at the expense of long-term well-being.
Key principles of ethical capitalism include:
Fair Treatment of Stakeholders:
Ensures equitable treatment of employees, customers, suppliers, and communities.
Encourages businesses to prioritize the welfare of all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
Sustainability:
Promotes environmental stewardship by adopting practices that protect natural resources for future generations.
Encourages responsible production and consumption patterns.
Transparency and Accountability:
Advocates for open communication and ethical decision-making.
Holds businesses accountable for their actions and their impact on society.
Community Support:
Encourages businesses to contribute positively to the communities in which they operate.
Supports charitable initiatives, education, and economic development.
Innovation with Purpose:
Invests in research and technologies that address societal and environmental challenges.
Aligns business goals with broader ethical objectives.
Ethical capitalism aims to create a more inclusive and equitable economy, where profitability goes hand-in-hand with the well-being of people and the planet. It fosters trust, loyalty, and long-term stability, benefiting both businesses and the societies they serve. This also aligns with our views pertaining to AI and other subjects as listed below:
Be sure to look into our Forum for a variety of posts in a variety of subjects. If you become a member, you can also help elaborate, expand on and enhance the variety of subjects that align with Druwayu and its foundations. Just remember to review our rules, policies, terms, conduct and other important links so as to not violate anything.