Mass-produced software is stealing your agency, but malleable software can give it back
Malleable software: Restoring user agency in a world of locked-down apps (2025)
Ink & Switch argues that rigid, mass-produced software erodes user agency, citing examples like doctors forced to fill irrelevant fields in electronic medical records and teams abandoning flexible processes when moving to web-based trackers. They propose malleable software: an ecosystem where anyone can adapt their tools with minimal friction, going beyond settings, plugins, mods, and open source. They also discuss whether AI-assisted coding can finally democratize software creation.
In the physical world, the act of crafting our environments comes naturally, because physical reality is malleable.
- Norwell_io
Missing the Winamp skin days. We truly had more agency modifying our tools back then, unlike today's locked ecosystems.
- piterrro
This whole article is true and to the point but... reality is: most people still don't build their own setups: work, home - most of them follow a sh*tty software or decorate with Ikea. I think this applies only to a small group of users how will be willing to go extra mile and prompt their ideal interface for whatever they need to do.
- finn888
Miss the days you could script or tweak everything. Modern apps feel like sealed black boxes with no escape hatches.
- apatheticonion
I believe it is critical for regulators to force mega-corporations (and software vendors in general) to permit third party clients.
I use services like YouTube every day, why can I get sued if I write my own YouTube client that's better than the one provided by Google? Why can I get sued if I create a chat client that aggregates the myriad of chat services I use?
I'd argue that this even extends down the stack. Why is there only Android and iOS? It's because hardware drivers are practically impossible to write for undocumented hardware (which is virtually all hardware). Vendors should be compelled to document their hardware such that drives could be produced for them.
Asahi Linux is a testament to a team attempting the impossible and making unbelievable progress - but it's still not competitive with first party drivers.
I want a world where I can run Linux on my MacBook Pro and my phone. I want a world where I can flash a custom firmware to my TV that removes the bloat and spyware. I want a world where I can use the services I depend on in ways that are better than what the vendor can produce. I want a world where I can rebuild applications and games lost to time.
I have the skills and desire to do these things.
But nah. Not allowed.
- willtemperley
Looks like Microsoft were listening to Ink & Switch and borrowed their multiple-values-in-a-cell idea.
Feb 2025:
https://www.inkandswitch.com/ambsheets/notebook/
September 2026:
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/excelblog/excel-now...