Catching The Last Rays of Civilisation #21 :: Tech Fuedalism

How goes it? Are you well? Are you fighting the good fight? You holding in there

I happened to come across this video featuring Yanis Varoufakis. It is simply a demoralising 16 minutes and 3 seconds, but it is crucially important to be aware of the situation: Capitalism is dead and we are living in a Tech fuedalist society. Have a listen and tell me it’s not true.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A4dMK7S6KE

So tech feudalism—a term often used to describe the concentration of power and control in the hands of a few dominant tech companies—requires a combination of individual, collective, and systemic actions. Here are some strategies you can adopt to resist or mitigate the effects of tech feudalism:

1. Digital Sovereignty: Take Control of Your Data

  • Use Privacy-Focused Tools: Switch to platforms and services that prioritize privacy and data ownership, such as Signal (for messaging), ProtonMail (for email), or DuckDuckGo (for search).
  • Self-Hosted Solutions: Use self-hosted alternatives for cloud storage (e.g., Nextcloud), calendars, and other services to keep your data under your control.
  • Minimize Data Sharing: Be mindful of what you share online and limit the amount of personal data you provide to tech companies.

2. Decentralized Technologies

  • Blockchain and Web3: Explore decentralized platforms built on blockchain technology, which aim to distribute power away from centralized entities. Examples include decentralized social media (e.g., Mastodon, Bluesky) or financial systems (e.g., Ethereum, Bitcoin).
  • Peer-to-Peer Networks: Use peer-to-peer (P2P) tools for file sharing, communication, and collaboration, reducing reliance on centralized servers.

3. Support Open-Source and Ethical Alternatives

  • Open-Source Software: Use and contribute to open-source projects that are transparent and community-driven, such as Linux, Firefox, or LibreOffice.
  • Ethical Tech Companies: Support smaller, ethical tech companies that prioritize user rights and sustainability over profit maximization.

4. Reduce Dependency on Big Tech

  • Diversify Your Tools: Avoid relying on a single ecosystem (e.g., Google, Apple, Amazon). Mix and match services from different providers to reduce dependency.
  • Limit Platform Use: Reduce your use of social media platforms and other services that exploit your attention and data for profit.
  • Go Offline: Reclaim your time and attention by spending less time on digital platforms and more time engaging in offline activities.

5. Advocate for Systemic Change

  • Support Regulation: Advocate for stronger antitrust laws, data privacy regulations, and policies that hold tech companies accountable.
  • Promote Digital Rights: Support organizations fighting for digital rights, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) or Access Now.
  • Educate Others: Raise awareness about the dangers of tech feudalism and encourage others to adopt ethical tech practices.

6. Reclaim Your Attention

  • Practice Digital Minimalism: Adopt a minimalist approach to technology, focusing on tools that add value to your life while discarding those that exploit your attention.
  • Use Ad Blockers: Install ad blockers to reduce the influence of targeted advertising and algorithmic manipulation.
  • Disable Tracking: Use browser extensions like Privacy Badger or uBlock Origin to block trackers and protect your online activity.

7. Build Local and Community-Based Networks

  • Local Alternatives: Support local businesses and services that are not tied to global tech monopolies.
  • Community Platforms: Participate in or create community-driven platforms that prioritize collaboration and shared ownership over profit.

8. Develop Critical Digital Literacy

  • Understand Algorithms: Learn how algorithms shape your online experience and manipulate your behavior.
  • Question Tech Narratives: Be skeptical of the promises made by tech companies and critically evaluate their impact on society.

9. Financial Independence from Big Tech

  • Avoid Lock-In: Use interoperable tools and services that allow you to switch providers easily.
  • Cryptocurrencies: Explore decentralized financial systems that reduce reliance on traditional banking and payment systems controlled by big tech.

10. Collective Action

  • Join Movements: Participate in movements advocating for tech reform, such as campaigns for data privacy, antitrust action, or digital worker rights.
  • Unionize: If you work in the tech industry, consider joining or forming a union to push for fairer labor practices and ethical business models.

This goes back to my many previous posts about “The System”. The System has recently been updated, and maybe you just click “Accept” without reading all the Terms & Conditions? I agree, who has the time to read that nonsense?

DeepSeek

Please, don’t start with the “It won’t talk about Tiennamen Square”. Like the West doesn’t edit or censor history. DeepSeek showed that so much of the current Western AI is all overblown BS. It has brought into focus what a shoddy, over-blow product current Western AI actually is.

Change Your Life

I get so tired of all these podcasters spewing into the ether, but I have always had some time for Chris Williamson and his Modern Wisdom podcast. Interesting guests and some insightful observations from Chris. This video distills Chris’ vision on how you can change your life in 30 days. Succinct.

Given the way the world is, change is a must as the old certainties have long been swept away. The System is constantly evolving, and you should be too. It’s the only way.

Hey, look after yourself. You can get through this.

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