this post was submitted on 23 Sep 2023
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Technology

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The Internet Is About to Get Much Worse (www.nytimes.com)
submitted 1 year ago by JRepin@lemmy.ml to c/technology@beehaw.org
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/5400607

This is a classic case of tragedy of the commons, where a common resource is harmed by the profit interests of individuals. The traditional example of this is a public field that cattle can graze upon. Without any limits, individual cattle owners have an incentive to overgraze the land, destroying its value to everybody.

We have commons on the internet, too. Despite all of its toxic corners, it is still full of vibrant portions that serve the public good — places like Wikipedia and Reddit forums, where volunteers often share knowledge in good faith and work hard to keep bad actors at bay.

But these commons are now being overgrazed by rapacious tech companies that seek to feed all of the human wisdom, expertise, humor, anecdotes and advice they find in these places into their for-profit A.I. systems.

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[–] jarfil@beehaw.org 72 points 1 year ago (4 children)

serve the public good — places like Wikipedia and Reddit forums

Sorry, lost me at Reddit.

[–] storksforlegs@beehaw.org 47 points 11 months ago

Reddit is a flaming monetized dumpster now but it used to be what the article is describing. (mostly)

[–] Franzia@lemmy.blahaj.zone 18 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Exactly and the idea they serve the public good? They don't serve us, we built what's good there.

[–] lol3droflxp@kbin.social 5 points 11 months ago

I think they meant the community. Same applies to Wikipedia, not like the site would be worth anything without dedicated users.

[–] noctisatrae@beehaw.org 7 points 11 months ago

Reddit has been welcoming for some years tbh

Now I don’t want to hear about it!