Epson, Enshittification, and the Environment?

I do a lot of scanning for my work. My Microtek scanner of many years died and could not be repaired because Microtek went out of business. The only replacement option was an all-in-one printer and scanner. I chose Epson.

The software that comes with these all-in-one devices is not usable for anyone doing serious work. I was grateful to find VueScan software that was about as good as the free software that came with the Microtek. VueScan cost $100 but at least I could get back to work.

That was in 2021 and all was well. Until a few days ago when Epson recommended a firmware update. I tend to be a trusting person, and I did the update. Bad move. The scanner still worked, but the VueScan software would no longer work with it.

I searched online for how to roll back the firmware. It looked grim. I dread calling tech support. But within minutes I was actually talking to Ian who was obviously in the Philippines. He assured me that I did not have to waste time figuring out how to roll back the firmware: It is simply not possible.

And Epson does not care if their update killed VueScan. They said it is not their problem. Even though obviously it is their fault. After a couple of rounds of “escalating” my case and long waits on hold, I managed to speak to Milton in the U.S. He did something the others could not: He explained exactly how diabolical Epson was in making sure that problems like this cannot be solved.

I asked what would happen if I offered a million dollars for the previous firmware version. He said it would not help. Because even if I got a copy somehow, Epson designed the printer to refuse to install previous versions of firmware. In other words, they actually hired someone with the specific goal to make it impossible to fix problems like this. They knew exactly what they were doing.

I told Milton that Epson is sending a message to the world: “We are evil. We want your Epson devices to become unusable. We want you never to buy our products again.” I told him I am a journalist and I promised to write this up.

I told this to a friend and she said there is a name for this: “Enshittification.” Another friend had told me this term a week earlier in another context. It really is a thing you can read on Wikipedia. Please do. They credit Canadian writer Cory Doctorow for coining the term in 2022.

They give many examples of businesses who get you hooked then try to squeeze you for their gain. In the case of Epson, their updates claim to be bug fixes. But they really seem to be to prevent people using third party supplies.

Windows diabolically invented the “registry,” which requires you to reinstall every single program when buying a new computer. With Linux or even the old DOS operating system you could just copy everything over from the old computer.

I would be OK still using Windows 2000, but Microsoft forces you to switch to new versions. Which in turn forces you to switch to buying new computers. Apple also periodically obsoletes their iPhones.

Can you imagine the environmental impact and waste caused by enshittification? Complex devices now are trashed after little use.

My mentor Virgil Elings sold our scientific instruments with a lifetime guarantee and support. The new owner immediately turned support into a “profit center.” Meaning their interest is opposite to the user’s interest.

Four years ago, I wrote about how fashion is the opposite of progress, giving many examples. Here are a couple more: cookware without insulating handles so you have to use an oven mitt, and complex touchscreens in cars instead of simple knobs and switches.

A year ago, I wrote about the evil subscription model that replaced ownership. This forces endless spending to keep using what you already have; with new versions often enshittified.

What is to be done? We have banned single use bags. Perhaps we need to charge companies for enshittification?