Enshittification

This episode of 99% Invisible dives into the concept of 'inshittification'—a term coined by author Cory Doctorow to describe how digital platforms and smart devices, once designed to serve users, increasingly degrade in quality and usability to benefit corporate profits. The story begins with Roman Mars and producer Chris Berube exploring everyday frustrations with smart devices, using a farmer’s struggle with a John Deere tractor as a central case study. When software issues cause the tractor to derate and become unusable, farmers like Jared Wilson are locked into expensive, manufacturer-dependent repair systems. The episode reveals how digital locks, parts pairing, and lack of interoperability prevent independent repairs, turning once-simple mechanical tools into profit-driven, unfixable machines. The narrative expands to include smartphones, printers, and wheelchairs, illustrating how this pattern extends across consumer goods. Yet, there is hope: a growing Right to Repair movement is pushing for legal change, with successes in Europe and several U.S. states. Companies like John Deere and Apple have begun offering limited repair tools, but challenges remain. The episode ends on a defiant, punk-rock note—urging listeners to demand better, more sustainable, and user-empowering technology.