Cory Doctorow: You Bought it, They Break It
Summary
Trevor Noah interviews tech policy expert Cory Doctorow, who coined the term "inshittification" to describe how platforms degrade user experience to maximize profit. They discuss how laws like the DMCA enable corporate monopolies to restrict repair rights and stifle competition, citing examples from Google’s search algorithms to Medtronic’s ventilators. Doctorow argues that these systemic issues stem from policy choices favoring billionaires, but notes a growing global push for antitrust enforcement and digital rights reform.
Topics discussed
Intro: Elon Musk, Corey, and sponsor ads
The Shittification of Everything
DMCA 1201 and Right to Repair
History of Digital Copyright and DRM
Google Search Degradation and Ads
Monopolies, Antitrust, and Policy
Apple App Store Fees and Competition
Fiduciary Duty and Corporate Power
Uber, Price Gouging, and Agriculture
Sponsors and Consumer Helplessness
Elon Musk's Contradictions and EVs
History of Trust Busting and Monopolies
Monsanto, Debt, and Billionaire Luck
Corporate Mergers and Monopoly Money
Printer Ink, SIM Cards, and Car Leases
Conclusion: EFF, Hope, and Final Ads
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