From a751b3f2d884c2975c47b609987ffd8db67873f3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Hendrik Eeckhaut Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2026 17:45:39 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] Minor improvement suggestions. Mainly more bold text and a closing statement --- blog/2026-01-01-do-not-pass-go/index.md | 26 +++++++++++++------------ 1 file changed, 14 insertions(+), 12 deletions(-) diff --git a/blog/2026-01-01-do-not-pass-go/index.md b/blog/2026-01-01-do-not-pass-go/index.md index cb81d4c..0322bc4 100644 --- a/blog/2026-01-01-do-not-pass-go/index.md +++ b/blog/2026-01-01-do-not-pass-go/index.md @@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ The following article is a bit meaty, so for those who just want the key points, ## scale -To solve problems at scale, humans design systems which both encapsulate complexity and leverage specialization to achieve efficiency and predictability. This reduces the need for interpersonal trust by replacing it with systemic trust — that is, trusting the behavior of a system and not an individual. Much of societal progress can be attributed to this process of systematization, but much can also be said about the damage that is caused when the goals of these systems become misaligned, or simply when they fail to adapt to new circumstances. The modern world is increasingly characterized by both failure modes. +To solve problems at scale, humans design systems which both encapsulate complexity and leverage specialization to achieve *efficiency* and *predictability*. This reduces the need for interpersonal trust by replacing it with **systemic trust** — that is, trusting the behavior of a system and not an individual. Much of societal progress can be attributed to this process of systematization, but much can also be said about the damage that is caused when the goals of these systems become misaligned, or simply when they fail to adapt to new circumstances. The modern world is increasingly characterized by both failure modes.
-Of course, that is the impetus for the various efforts centered around building _new_ systems which apply technological innovation to decrease fragility and solve modern problems. The promise being that these new systems will be more resilient to undue influence, more efficient, and will ultimately shift power back to individuals. Certainly, the faster that future arrives the better, but _how_ such transitions will occur is not always clear. +Of course, that is the impetus for the various efforts centered around building _new_ systems which apply technological innovation to decrease fragility and solve modern problems. The promise being that these new systems will be more resilient to undue influence, more efficient, and will *ultimately shift power back to individuals*. Certainly, the faster that future arrives the better, but **how** such transitions will occur is not always clear. Today, it is the case that the majority of digital systems which we rely on as a basis for our collective reality are owned, and operated, by a relatively small number of corporate and state institutions. This existing infrastructure is the product of enormous amounts of capital investment and was built over the course of decades. Further, in terms of data _volume_, any newer contending systems pale in comparison. @@ -37,17 +37,17 @@ Today, it is the case that the majority of digital systems which we rely on as a width={400} /> -Individuals rely on these systems every day to connect with their peers and to be able to interact at great distance with people they do not know nor trust. Identity, finance, commerce, news, social media — vast portions of all human activity are intermediated through them. It is through this intermediation that privileged actors pervasively surveil, censor, manipulate and extract rents. +Individuals rely on these systems every day to connect with their peers and to be able to interact at great distance with people they do not know nor trust. Identity, finance, commerce, news, social media — vast portions of all human activity are intermediated through them. It is through this intermediation that _privileged actors pervasively surveil, censor, manipulate and extract rents_. One may ask how such a situation could persist unchecked, and there are surely many answers, but a common thread is the steady erosion of individuals' ability to exit — to choose better alternatives. ## walls -It has been pointed out by many that the reason existing systems are failing in the first place is due to the predictable outcomes of underlying incentives. In the context of digital systems, this phenomenon has recently been popularly coined as ["enshittification" by Cory Doctorow](https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/#relentless-payola). In short, it pertains to a situation where, after achieving sufficient scale, privileged actors in a system begin to alter it in order to extract as much value as possible while simultaneously degrading it and restricting the ability of others to exit. +It has been pointed out by many that the reason existing systems are failing in the first place is due to the predictable outcomes of underlying incentives. In the context of digital systems, this phenomenon has recently been popularly coined as ["**enshittification**" by Cory Doctorow](https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/#relentless-payola). In short, it pertains to a situation where, after achieving sufficient scale, privileged actors in a system begin to alter it in order to extract as much value as possible while simultaneously degrading it and restricting the ability of others to exit. The "_restricting the ability of others to exit_" part is of critical importance. After all, one would hope competitive forces in the market would apply corrective pressure when service degrades. But incumbents can and will do everything they can to stifle competition and entrench their power. This is done in numerous ways, but we will focus specifically on one: **data access control**. -If users were simply showing up and obtaining fungible services then the cost associated with switching between systems would be low. But in many cases users have a stake in a particular system due to the accrual of data that is valuable to them, such as identity information, financial records, and social graphs. If they wish to switch to a competitor this usually requires leaving all that behind. For example, on a ride sharing platform, drivers can spend years building up a history which is the basis for their reputation. Switching to a new platform which offers them a larger proportion of margins may not be worth it simply because they would have to incur significant losses in revenue while rebuilding their reputation again. +If users were simply showing up and obtaining fungible services, the cost associated with switching between systems would be low. But in many cases users have a stake in a particular system due to the accrual of data that is valuable to them, such as identity information, financial records, and social graphs. If they wish to switch to a competitor this usually requires leaving all that behind. For example, on a ride sharing platform, drivers can spend years building up a history which is the basis for their reputation. Switching to a new platform which offers them a larger proportion of margins may not be worth it simply because they would have to incur significant losses in revenue while rebuilding their reputation again.