The Tyranny of the Marginal User (nothinghuman.substack.com)

Article summary

The article discusses how consumer software tends to get worse over time, despite advancements in technology and significant investment in research and development. This is attributed to the 'Tyranny of the Marginal User', where companies prioritize gaining more users, even if they derive little value from the app, over improving the experience for existing users. The author argues that this leads to a focus on simplicity and addiction over features and user agency. As a result, software that enhances human agency and serves power users is often overlooked or acquired and killed by larger companies.

Main themes

• Tyranny of the Marginal User
• Software Degradation
• User Agency
• Addiction and Simplicity
• Business Models
• Power Users vs Marginal Users
• Corporate Influence

What commenters say

• Some argue that the dumbing down of products is a result of companies chasing the masses, while others believe it is due to the inherent limitations of mobile devices.
• The pursuit of growth and profit can lead companies to prioritize the marginal user over power users, resulting in a decline in product quality.
• Paying for software can align incentives between businesses and customers, but it is not a guarantee of better outcomes.
• The business model of free or ad-supported software can create a dynamic where companies prioritize user acquisition over user experience.
• Some commenters believe that the problem lies not with the users, but with the corporations chasing them and driving the behavior.
• Others argue that the issue is not unique to free software, and that paid software can also neglect power users if it is 'good enough' for most people.
• The concept of 'Marl' is seen as an accurate representation of the marginal user, but some argue that it is a disappointing effigy that avoids addressing the role of corporations in driving this behavior.
• There is a perceived discontinuity between free and cheap software, where the business model changes in a way that better aligns incentives between businesses and customers.