Item — HN Reader

I’m not sure why so many things have gotten both fantastically more advanced and much worse at the same time. Reminds me of the “premium mediocre” conundrum a bit.

In this case we can see it’s not the usual suspect (over/efficiency mindset) but maybe there is something much uglier lurking underneath? Affecting both companies and government bodies even - which should feel less “budget” pressure to be overly efficient in everything?

I don’t know what factors those are. Though they could still be that plus something else (more transparently cultural)?

1 comments

I don't think it's more complicated than money in either case.

Businesses are increasing consolidated and have market pressure to show not just profits but increasing profits year over year.

Government agencies are affected by a combination of regulatory capture and a half century of austerity

> I don't think it's more complicated than money in either case.

The trick is to make it look more complicated than that, so no one follows the money. If somebody does, call them names. If calling them a Luddite conspiracy theorist doesn't work because you used to employ them as an expert and they have a long track record, just say that they're bolstering or emboldening or platforming Luddite conspiracy theorists (who might also be racist-adjacent China-deniers.)

You buy a media in order to use it.