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The Ensh*ttification of Everything with Cory Doctorow
The internet is getting shittier. Hell, the whole world is getting shittier. The thing is, it’s no accident—it’s by design. The tech giants who run the internet have figured out how to make bank off of making our everyday experience with the internet worse, and this process is bleeding over into the physical world. This process is called “enshittification”, a term coined by the massively influential tech writer Cory Doctorow. In this episode, Adam sits with Cory to discuss where everything went so wrong as well as Cory’s new book, Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It.
Students are using AI apps to summarise whole books in minutes. Experts are alarmed
AI-powered book summary apps are gaining popularity among students, raising concerns about declining literacy rates and the potential impact on authors’ livelihoods. While these tools offer convenience, they often lack accuracy and may not align with academic expectations. Experts emphasise the importance of critical reading skills and the unique value of engaging with texts directly, rather than relying solely on AI-generated summaries.
Under-16s ban: how hard will it be for Australian social media users to prove their age?
Australia’s planned under-16 social media ban will rely on age-assurance technology, but trials reveal major flaws. While facial age tests can take as little as 40 seconds, some users spent up to an hour, with high error rates—especially for 14- and 15-year-olds, many of whom could slip through. Errors also varied by gender and ethnicity, raising fairness concerns. Those misidentified may face intrusive ID checks, risking privacy breaches. Smaller platforms may avoid compliance altogether, leaving uncertain outcomes when the law begins in December.
Why everyone is quitting social media
Over the past five years, social media has shifted from fostering connection to maximizing profit by exploiting user attention. Features like infinite scroll and algorithmic feeds—pioneered and perfected by TikTok—prioritize virality and outrage over genuine relationships, fueling anxiety and social comparison. Once user-centered, platforms now serve advertisers, converting attention into revenue. This has sparked rising backlash, digital detox movements, and calls for balance. Though social media remains dominant, growing disillusionment suggests people are beginning to push back.
AI Is Remixing Everything We’ve Ever Made. Here’s What That Means.
Kirby Ferguson explores how generative AI transforms creativity by remixing existing human-made content. It reframes concerns over originality in the context of remix culture—demonstrating that all innovation builds on the past. The film examines whether generative AI marks the end of human creativity or offers a new evolution.
Cat soap operas and babies trapped in space: the ‘AI slop’ taking over YouTube
The article describes the rise of AI-generated content on YouTube, particularly in the form of bizarre and surreal videos. The article highlights the impact of AI-generated content on the online landscape, including the potential erosion of online communities and the monetization of low-quality content.
How will the federal government's under-16s social media ban work? Here's what we know
Australia is implementing a world-first social media ban for users under 16 to protect their mental health and well-being. Social media companies will be required to verify users’ ages and deactivate accounts of children under 16, facing fines of up to $50 million for non-compliance. The ban, set to take effect on 10 December, will apply to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, while YouTube will be age-restricted but not inaccessible.
As Australia’s teen social media ban looms, here’s how the platforms are lobbying for an exemption
The Australian government is set to announce which social media platforms will be included in the under-16s ban. Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat are lobbying for exemptions, highlighting their safety features and educational benefits. The government remains firm, citing adverse mental health impacts on young people from social media engagement.
18 months. 12,000 questions. A whole lot of anxiety. What I learned from reading students’ ChatGPT logs
Three undergraduates allowed access to their 18-month ChatGPT log, revealing extensive use for academic research, essay writing, career counselling, and more. While AI assistance can be helpful, it raises concerns about academic integrity and the potential for misinformation, especially in sensitive areas like mental health.
What is Stop Killing Games? Millions back EU petition to shape future of video game industry
Across the internet in recent weeks, influencers, streamers and video game fans have been calling for laws to "stop killing games".
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