Join “A Drink with the Idler” as we chat to Cory Doctorow about the tech bro takeover of the Internet and what we can do it about. 

Misogyny, conspiratorialism, surveillance, manipulation, fraud, and AI slop are drowning the internet, says leading tech critic Cory Doctorow. For the monopolists who dominate online – X, TikTok, Amazon, Meta, Apple – this is all part of the playbook. The process is what Cory has dubbed ‘enshittification’. First, the platform attracts users with some bait, such as free access; then the activity is monetised, bringing in the business customers and degrading the user experience; then, once everyone is trapped and competitors eradicated, the platform wrings out all the value and transfers it to their executives and shareholders.

Tom will be chatting to Cory about the tech bro takeover of the Internet and what we can do it about.

The discussion between Cory and Idler editor Tom Hodgkinson will be followed by a live Q&A when you will be given the chance to ask James your own questions.

We’ll have a philosophical “Thought for the Week” from Dr Mark Vernon and the event will be hosted by Idler Academy director Victoria Hull.

This is an online event. It should be like meeting up in the pub for an interesting conversation. We leave the meeting open at the end so you can carry on chatting.

Cory Doctorow is a science fiction author, activist and journalist. He is the author of dozens of books, most recently Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What To Do About It and the novel Picks and Shovels. His next book The Reverse Centaur’s Guide To Life After AI will be out in June.  Born in Toronto, Canada, he lives in Los Angeles and London. His website is craphound.com.

Tom Hodgkinson is editor of the Idler and author of the best-selling manuals, How to Be Idle and How to Be Free. His new book is How to Live Like a Stoic: A Handbook for Happiness. Other publications include a book on parenting, the Ukulele Handbook and a manual for creative entrepreneurs, Business for Bohemians.

Dr Mark Vernon is a psychotherapist, writer, broadcaster, and teacher. He presents several Idler Academy online courses. He has a PhD in philosophy, and degrees in theology and physics. His most recent books include The Idler Guide to Ancient Philosophy (Idler Books), Love: All that Matters (Hodder) and Jung: How to Believe (Guardian Shorts) – and he has books on friendship, belief and the good life too. Mark can often be heard on Radio 4’s Moral Maze. He began his professional life as a priest in the Church of England. For more, visit markvernon.com.

Victoria Hull is director of the Idler Academy, producing the Idler’s live and online events and courses.