Rebooting the Internet

In a world where digital services have become an integral part of our daily lives, it's hard to imagine a time when the internet was a more benign and user-friendly place. Yet, for many of us, the reality of online interactions has become increasingly frustrating, with services that seem designed to exploit rather than empower. It's this phenomenon that Cory Doctorow, a writer, activist, and technology critic, has termed "Enshittification". Doctorow's work has long explored the intersection of technology and society, and his latest project is a scathing critique of the ways in which digital services have declined into frustrating, exploitative, and difficult to escape systems.

At the Quarterhouse in Folkestone on Monday, 16 November 2026, Doctorow will discuss his ideas and arguments, offering a vision for a different kind of internet, one that is more equitable, more just, and more humane. This event is part of the Folkestone Book Festival, an annual celebration of stories, ideas, and conversation that takes place by the sea. The Festival is a vibrant and eclectic mix of events, each one designed to spark interesting discussions and debates. As part of Folkestone is a Library, a town-wide celebration of reading, writing, and storytelling, the Festival is committed to making its events accessible to all, with every event including a £5 Cost of Living Ticket, available with no questions asked.

Doctorow's argument is not just a lament for the decline of the internet, but a call to action, a reminder that this decline is not inevitable and need not be permanent. By exploring the ways in which digital services have become exploitative and frustrating, Doctorow aims to inspire a new kind of conversation about the internet and its role in our lives. This conversation is not just for technologists or policymakers, but for anyone who uses the internet, which is to say, almost all of us. By joining Doctorow at the Quarterhouse, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with his ideas and think critically about the kind of internet we want to build.

The Folkestone Book Festival is a unique and special event, one that brings together writers, readers, and thinkers from all over the world. By hosting Doctorow's event, the Festival is continuing its tradition of sparking interesting and important conversations. With its commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, the Festival is a place where everyone can come together to discuss the ideas and issues that matter most.

To join the conversation with Cory Doctorow, tickets are with the button beside the article. The event takes place at the Quarterhouse in Folkestone on Monday, 16 November 2026, and is a chance to think critically about the internet and its future.