Why an Australian dictionary picked "ens***tification" as its word of the year for 2024

Sydney — Australia's quasi-official Macquarie Dictionary has picked "ens***tification" as the word of 2024, tapping into a growing sense that once-great digital services are bad and getting worse.

"ENS***TIFICATION -- Noun. Colloquial, the gradual deterioration of a service or product brought about by a reduction in the quality of service provided, especially of an online platform, and as a consequence of profit-seeking."

The word, coined by writer Cory Doctorow, refers to a process in which apps or digital platforms start off as incredibly useful, but gradually worsen as they seek to make a profit.