I’m starting to wonder what the real benefit even is anymore. Between the technofeudal landscape we live in, where billionaires own the means of communication, data is constantly mined for profit, and surveillance is baked into every layer, it feels like I’m standing at the beach, using my bare hands to push back an endless tide.
Even when I take the so‑called “liberated” path through Linux, self‑hosting, and privacy tools, it often feels futile. The web itself is poisoned. Browsers are turning into tracking engines. Sites rely on manipulation and dark patterns. Social media is full of misinformation and ragebait.
Even open-source projects are being pulled under corporate influence (ex: Firefox adoption of AI).
It feels exhausting to route around a web that’s already been captured.
So I’m asking myself: what’s the point? Why not just step away?
Why not trade the illusion of digital control for actual peace, get a dumb phone, a CD player, and check out books, movies, music, and games from the library as my entertainment?
Does anyone else feel this way? Have you found ways to reconnect with technology?
I think you’re asking the wrong question here. You should be asking “Is my tech stack doing what I need and working for me?”.
If yes, then just keep doing what you’re doing.
If not, then figure out what’s wrong, and take steps to fix it.
Trying to “compete” - as it sounds like you may be trying to do - IS futile. But what are you competing over? Why would you feel the need to compete with the things you hate? That’s not where your battle is, it sounds like.
As you say, tools are just tools. Even a dumb phone and CD players are “technology.” You can use a hammer to build a house, or you can use it to break into a house and kill the owner. The tool itself really doesn’t hold any sin.
Some people prefer to use older tools, though. It often gives them more of a feeling of connection, especially if we’re talking about the things they grew up with. So, there’s nothing wrong with choosing older technology just because you feel like it, either.
This is exactly it. The Muskrats, Benzos, and Zuccs of the world want people to think that the future is only on the cloud, because it benefits their business.
The problem with that is that most people are tech illiterate, and will see the cloud as an easy way to just exist with less wires.
Reading comments from people who just do not care whether they own their software, and now hardware, is alarming.
It’s people like us who have to be loud about it.
I control what I can and avoid the rest. I spend more time outdoors, completely disconnected these days, though I recognize that’s a privilege everyone is not able to enjoy.
Not to mention the way the minerals are mined needed for all this tech.
We could cut that way down if I could just repair and replace parts more. We’ve gone so single use commodity on all this tech and don’t repurpose or repair like we should.
I completely agree. The good parts of the web are on the margins, now. Everything is hyper-surveilled otherwise. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to avoid that, too. Even if you don’t own a smartphone or use a computer, what are the odds your face has been digested by a company like Meta to train their AI? Or that your car’s license plate has been picked up by a Flock surveillance camera?
When I was young I thought more technology would lead to better, liberated lives. I studied computer science because I’m genuinely interested in programming and computers.
Now I think we have passed an inflection point. More technology will worsen our lives. It’s harmful to the planet and climate.
Also, the people who get into programming now seem to lack curiosity and are only in it for a paycheck (for which I cannot blame them, because the avenues to a good, stable life are receding rapidly). And the places we are putting the most collective effort, as directed by our capitalist overlords, is either in furthering surveillance technology to be used against us or otherwise vulnerable populations like Palestinians, or toward unchecked society-rending technology like generative AI.
check out this book
https://interesi.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/technopoly.pdf
Tech is a tool, you don’t need to connect with it in any transcendental way. According to this guy ^ Neil Postman, you may feel this way because we live in a TECHNOPOLY
Well said. Yes, I do feel the same way.
So, why not just step away? It depends on your attitude and your aspirations, I guess. If it’s solely for your own peace of mind and if you can actually detach yourself emotionally from knowing about the evils going on around you, then yes, i’d say stepping away is a great idea. I won’t judge some level of blissful ignorance.
For me personally, I kind of can’t convince myself that things are fine or not my business. They are not fine and they do affect me, and I know it. So I choose to fight it, and I find peace in knowing I do my best, and that I’m just getting started. No shortage of big ideas. Also, it’s a great feeling that I actually do something that matters. Even if I don’t succeed in the end, I didn’t just play along with this shitshow. Also, I now have a few people I got close to that are on a similar mission, and not being alone in all this feels great.
At the same time, I did kind of step away, at least partially. I quit certain platforms and cut off some kinds of contents, and carefully balance screentime. Sometimes you just need a break and protect your sanity.
About the issues themselves, in short: I think what’s needed are more coordinated efforts, with an agreed and sound strategy. We need better systems for collaboration. People need to come together and design resilient ways of organizing what they do. We do have a lot of power to bring about change, but we must join forces more, and we must dare to think outside of the estabished approches.
I’ll be to FOSDEM in Brussels in two weeks. Really looking forward to connecting with like-minded people!
Edit: Don’t hesitate or wait for my validation, live life the way you want, with as much or as little modern tech in it as you please.
Have you found ways to reconnect with technology?
My rule is that I interact with technology on my own terms and volition. I get upset if I get led or ‘tricked’ into an app or consuming some form of media. I access tech when I want to and am looking for something, and try to reject the idea that content should come to me in a steady stream. If I am watching brainrot it will be because I want to click and scroll through brainrot videos, not because it was the next one to play after the video I actually wanted to watch.
If you want bliss at this endless beach, build your own little FOSS sandcastle. If it washes away, build it somewhere else, and find other people that like to build FOSS sandcastles.
I‘ve gotten a library card last year and that a fantastic decision.
Why not trade the illusion of digital control for actual peace, get a dumb phone, a CD player, and check out books, movies, music, and games from the library as my entertainment?
You can do this, while also choosing to use some self-hosted services or internet-services that work for you.
That sounds like a reasonable and healthy attitude to take.
I’ve started buying 2nd hand physical games, got a cheap record player, buy books from little bookshops, clothes from goodwill and don’t shop online. Not ready for a dumb phone yet.
I grew up in niave 90s with ‘internet will set us free’ thinking. But oligarchs turned the things i liked into poison, so i avoid drinking the poison as much as i can.
An analog watch and a paper journal have been the biggest upgrades to my life I’ve made in years.
Add a fountain pen! You’ll enjoy it.
Until you buy twelve to hold each color you want to swap between daily and build an ink collection that could float the Titanic because this blue shades different from that blue.
It’s so fun though.
I’ve been casually spending weeks deGoogling and deMSFTing my life. I say casually because I’m not rushing to wipe it all out. I’m also not super paranoid about fully self-hosting, I’m using what seems to be a mix of convenience plus privacy.
I deleted all social media a decade ago, I use a generic Google acct for my phone, I use Proton for email (generic as can be info) and a few other services for convenience without feeling like it’s selling/hoarding all my info. I’ve got all family using at least RCS if not Signal.
I also don’t use fingerprint, facial recognition, or any smart speakers with live mics. I have my home network pretty locked down, with most devices segregated that is anything “smart”.
I feel I’ve accomplished quite a bit having done this, but I know there’s so much more I’d like to clear. My biggest downfall is credit cards. Sucked into cash back and perks, but looking to move to prepaid/reloadable debit cards so that I can still buy online as guests with minimal info. I mean, they might have my physical address, but I don’t feel like paying for a PO Box at the moment. “Credit” is such a fucked system. I don’t care if I run my credit closing these accounts, maybe keeping 1 for emergencies. That’ll take time too.
get a dumb phone, a CD player, and check out books, movies, music, and games from the library as my entertainment?
Totally valid idea.
Ever considered browsing gemini pods? It’ll be like surfin’ the web in the 90s, quite a few rabbit holes.
Does anyone else feel this way? Have you found ways to reconnect with technology?
Occasionally, yeah. I’m on the linux-selfhost-etc path and intend to stay on and amplify it. I see it as a little personal challenge and not as a tide to hold back (although it is).
I also ensure i’m not on my smartphone 24/7 and prefer the outdoors or hanging out with friends.I Work with tech at work.
I Work with computer-free problems in spare time (ie get a hobby like gardening).
You could go and join the Amish!?
