There’s a word for this but it escapes me that describes how a lot of modern tech is actually a step back for consumers but it’s more beneficial/profitable.
It used to be impossible to be this user hostile. You could not build a VCR that was unable to record the Superbowl.
Tech fixed only that.
Enshittification is just what capitalism means
Preventing capitalism from doing exactly what it wants to do requires regulation and enforcing competition. Competition does not happen naturally. Competition is expensive and low profit and kills businesses, so they try to avoid it.
Gas stations next door to each other don't do price wars anymore, because it demonstrably did not improve profits. Sure, you could lower your price slightly and maybe get a few more customers than you do now, but they will just lower their prices and at the end of the day you both end up making less money.
So you just don't compete. Instead of lowering your price, you match their price.
