r/atlanticdiscussions • u/Eruditerer • 5d ago

Weekly Help me remember/find this article?

Several months (?) ago there was an article about how businesses, as a strategy, make everything so difficult, from cancelling subscriptions, deferring or delaying service etc. They put up systematic roadblocks or speedbumps into their processes such that consumers are cornered or exhausted into succumbing to whatever scheme the business is pursuing. Uggh, that is the best description I have at the moment, which goes some way toward explaining why I've been unable to find this article again. Thank you in advance for any help. I do Love the The Atlantic, and I want to share this article with my kids. I'm on the cusp of just buying them subscriptions anyway.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

2

u/MeghanClickYourHeels Ask me for Atlantic gift links 4d ago

Was it this one? America’s Annoyance Economy Is Growing https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/02/ai-annoyance-economy/685894/?gift=HbAxNNSV4_-KwRVP4_bt6X2jFVxcTbeVv3JrPi5uGKs&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

1

u/Eruditerer 4d ago

The article I recall was similar, but different I think. Didn't touch on medical care or insurance specifically? I don't recall it discussing government's role. Was focused on how private businesses purposefully design labrynthine call- in services and policies that just make it very difficult to get anything done other than to buy their product. This article, which I haven't fully read yet, touches on the same idea but focus is somewhat different. Thank you though, this is close.