disinformation economy

the ecosystem of adtech and martech products and services that enable bad actors to generate revenue for their fake news and disinformation operations; first coined by Nandini Jammi in October 2021.

"While Facebook pushes users towards the most inflammatory content on the web, there’s an entire ecosystem of advertising platforms you’ve likely never heard of that converts all that traffic into a virtually unlimited supply of ad dollars.
We call it the disinformation economy." — Check My Ads newsletter BRANDED, October 27, 2021

by newsguardian May 20, 2024

disinformation economy

the ecosystem of adtech and martech products and services that enable bad actors to generate revenue for their fake news and disinformation operations; first coined by Nandini Jammi in 2021.

"While Facebook pushes users towards the most inflammatory content on the web, there’s an entire ecosystem of advertising platforms you’ve likely never heard of that converts all that traffic into a virtually unlimited supply of ad dollars.
We call it the disinformation economy."

by newsguardian May 20, 2024

Critical Economics Theory

The radical notion that the economy is not a force of nature like gravity, but a human-made system, and therefore can be changed by humans. It challenges the idea that concepts like "market forces," "trickle-down," or "austerity" are immutable laws, arguing instead that they are often just convenient stories told by the wealthy to justify their wealth and convince the poor to accept their poverty. It’s the intellectual equivalent of pointing out that the emperor’s new clothes are not only invisible, but they’re also made of a fabric that was subsidized by the taxpayers.

Example: "When the CEO claimed that giving his workers a raise was 'economically impossible' due to market pressures, the union rep, well-versed in critical economics theory, pointed out that it was perfectly possible; they just preferred to use that money for stock buybacks instead."

by Dumu The Void February 14, 2026

Critical Economy Theory

A theoretical framework that applies critical theory's tools to understanding economic systems—not just how economies function but how they concentrate power, produce inequality, and shape consciousness. Critical economy theory goes beyond mainstream economics' focus on efficiency and growth to examine economies as sites of domination, exploitation, and struggle. It asks who benefits from economic arrangements, how economic ideology serves power, what alternatives are foreclosed by the naturalization of capitalism. Critical economy theory draws on Marxist, feminist, ecological, and decolonial traditions to understand economies as human creations that could be created differently—not natural systems to be optimized but power-laden institutions to be transformed.

Example: "Her work didn't just measure inequality—it analyzed how the very categories of 'economy' and 'value' serve capitalist power. Critical Economy Theory: economics as critique, not just measurement."

by Dumu The Void March 14, 2026

rot economy

Coined by Ed Zitron:

The rot economy is a growth-at-all-costs economy. The only thing that matters is growth of revenue, which comes from showing a never ending vomit stream of ads, rewarding managerial malpractice, and pleasing shareholders. Also see: enshittification

Ever wonder why Google results are getting worse, or why you aren't seeing your friends on Instagram? It's all because of the growth-at-all-costs economy that's swallowed the tech industry, where the user experience takes a back seat to monetizing every interaction with the platforms you used to love. - episode synopsis for “The Rot Economy,” from the Better Offline podcast

by Sickomonster January 21, 2025

Extraction Economy

An economic system where companies don’t just sell products — they design endless hidden fees, frictions, and tricks to squeeze extra money and attention out of people. Profit comes less from value and more from exploiting inconvenience, confusion, or addiction.

“Dude, canceling my gym membership took three phone calls and a notarized letter. Pure extraction economy move.”

by PatternGhost September 10, 2025

Parallel Economy

Like an equal sign (=)... Where one line is above the other...

Hym "Yes. A parallel economy. And what does this parallel economy look like? Well, it looks like THIS = Get it? They want THIS = And accuse ME of wanting THIS ÷ but THIS is only not a problem if you are THIS LINE --- rather than THIS LINE ___"

by Hym Iam September 11, 2025