@tetron @pluralistic absolutely. I agree that it’s not really a “new” cycle, but wasn’t specifically referencing the bird place.

I’m sure it’s happened in other industries throughout history, but I don’t recall in my lifetime seeing SO MANY cornerstone internet companies actively devalue themselves and their partners/competitors.

Garbage “AI”-generated content that can’t be detected as spam and locking out access to information by multiple web companies has simultaneously devalued web search.

Corporate greed is breaking the modern web experience that so many people have relied upon for decades. I don’t see how this doesn’t negatively impact the bottom line as a result of the horrendous user experience and lack of utility/value of the services in these attempts to siphon profits from users and workers.

How is this not lose-lose for everyone?

@jay to me, these are signs of a company in decline. I don't see this as an attempt to boost company performance or morale, but instead as a way to pressure more people to quit without having to pay severance.

It gives execs cover to blame stock perf on low level workers not being in the office instead of top level strategy/vision. They still might be able to fool the market for 5+ years (sell real estate, lease it instead, optimize $$ per q, etc).

Sad for the workers and customers, if true.