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?
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!