A pattern across big tech I’ve noticed is how they get you to accept more and more bullshit with each backlash. They’ll push things too far at once and garner backlash then dial that back 80% and tell you they’re listening, pushing the baseline of what you’re willing to accept forward 20%.
Take AI. Spotify has received massive backlash for allowing AI personas on their platform and promoting them. So recently Spotify announced they’ll be tagging and de-promoting AI personas, but that’s still more than the original baseline and it’s being framed as a win. No we’re accepting more now than before AI personas existed on Spotify. Push it 100% dial it back 80%. Rinse and repeat until that 100% looks like 20% in 10 years time.
Microsoft lost an anti-trust for how it treated Internet Explorer. Now with Edge it’s more aggressive. Steering and defaults resetting after major updates. A boa constrictor doesn’t expend all its energy on one big squeeze. It waits for you to relent.
I’m not saying you should give up. I’m saying don’t accept a win on their terms. Remember what pissed you off and accept no concessions or the pattern WILL continue.

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