Australia’s Macquarie Dictionary has selected the term “enshittification” as its word of the year for 2024, highlighting an increasingly prevalent sentiment regarding the perceived decline in the quality of digital products and services. This distinctive slang term encapsulates a growing frustration among users related to various online platforms. The decision, announced on Tuesday, underscores a widespread belief that the digital landscape is deteriorating, reflecting broader societal concerns.
Macquarie Dictionary, a respected authority on Australian English, notes that “enshittification” signifies the gradual decline in the quality of services and products, particularly within online environments, prompted by a focus on profit maximization. The dictionary’s editorial committee expressed that the term resonates with many individuals who sense a deterioration in numerous facets of contemporary life, especially digital engagement.
The term emerged as the top choice among a competitive shortlist that included phrases like “looksmaxxing,” which deals with self-improvement to enhance physical appearance, “overtourism,” pointing to the challenges associated with excessive tourist activity, and “sigma,” a reference to a social dynamic within modern relationships. Additionally, the committee recognized notable mentions such as “the right to disconnect,” which pertains to legislation allowing workers to ignore work-related communications outside formal hours, and “rawdogging,” a term describing a long-distance flight experience without electronic devices or reading materials.
“Enshittification” was first introduced by Canadian-British author Cory Doctorow in a 2022 essay critiquing the decline of major digital platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. Doctorow elaborated on the concept in a subsequent blog post, outlining a cycle in which digital platforms initially provide value to users, subsequently transition to prioritizing business clients, and ultimately exploit both user bases to maximize their own profits.
Macquarie Dictionary’s annual word selection aligns with a tradition upheld by dictionaries across the globe, where linguistic trends and cultural shifts are highlighted. Other institutions, such as the UK’s Oxford Dictionary, are currently inviting public participation to select their own word of the year from a list that includes terms like “brain rot” and “dynamic pricing.”
As communication and technology continue to evolve, the impact of these shifts is profoundly evident in linguistic choices, illuminating how society grapples with rapid changes in the digital landscape. In this context, “enshittification” captures an essential dialogue about the intersection of technology, commerce, and user experience in the modern world.
#TechnologyNews #CultureNews