I do the same!

I also put the rest of the default stuff in a panel at the top. move the clock to the middle with a couple of spacers. Swap the application launcher for application dashboard. and now I’ve got gnome workflow but I don’t have to install extensions for basic stuff like the system tray.

I’ve been rocking it for a couple weeks now. So far it’s been great

I think there can be an intermediary step where things get a little better before they get much worse. I’m thinking of Youtube, which pre acquisiton, iirc, was getting slow and bad. Google infrastructure made it faster, but then, well…

This is really just the first step of enshitification - first they make things good for users, then introduce advertisers, then claw back all the value for themselves.

Or put another way

• "don’t worry you favourite thing will stay the same - we don’t want to mess with a winning formula!
• “these changes will benefit users!”
• “we have to comply with industry standards and best practices. please read our updated terms of service.”
• "in order to compete in a dynamic marketplace, we’re introducing an add supported tier!
• “we’ve made changes to our subscription model!”
• “we’ve made changes to our subscription model and we’re introducing adds on paid tiers! suck it!”
• “sure, you paid for it, but our agreements are expiring and we don’t value you as a human being!”
• “really, where else are you going to go? lololololol”

They’re not really the same vibe, but they do have an extremely far future setting, vast intelligences called Minds that run society, and my favourite part, luxury space communism. Most people recommend you start on book two - The Player of Games since it’s a better example of what the series is. While that’s true I stated on book one - Consider Phlebas - and liked it, so up to you I guess.

Wishlisted!

As a fan of the Culture series and really any far, far future stuff, this looks to be my jam.