Macquarie Dictionary Names 'Enshittification' as 2024 Word of the Year
The term describes the decline in quality of services, especially online platforms, due to profit-driven motives, reflecting broader societal frustrations.
- 'Enshittification,' coined by writer Cory Doctorow, highlights the degradation of services as companies prioritize profits over user experience.
- The word was chosen from a 65-word longlist by Macquarie Dictionary's panel, capturing a sentiment resonating with many in today's digital age.
- Other shortlisted terms included 'Right to Disconnect,' referring to legal protections for work-life boundaries, and 'brainrot,' describing the effects of consuming low-quality online content.
- The selection reflects evolving language trends that address modern challenges and experiences, including social media dynamics and workplace culture shifts.
- Previously recognized by the American Dialect Society in 2023, 'enshittification' continues to gain traction as a descriptor for a perceived decline in digital and societal standards.
The Sydney Morning Herald 