Do you really think this algorithm is 'safe' from the DoD? I'm not saying people should also abandon substack. I'm saying we must adapt and evolve. Substack is a 'better' 'social' media in many ways, but have you seen all of the memes and videos lately? It's turning into Twitter and TikTok. You think that's not by design? Let's create something better. Something that actually encourages people to get offline. Something that actually changes the rules of the game... www.humbledeeds.com
I was thinking this too. Is Substack really better in the long run? For now, it's probably safe to say that it is. No advertising so far and the algorithm doesn't seem to want to sell you something all the time... Yet.
No worries! I read Surveillance Capitalism when it came out. It was a slog of a read but so enlightening. It really opened my eyes to a lot of things I was, up until that point, very naive about.
No friend, small incremental acts of resistance. We can go analog as much as possible, but it’s unreasonable to think we can “just stop using the internet.”
We need to help create an internet actually worth using. And the good news is that, by simply being here, you’re already part of that movement :)
YES. I hadn't made the leap from surveillance capitalism to surveillance fascism in my head yet, but that's what it is. Have been slowly working toward going analog for a few months and yeah, it's a little more lonely but also, the quiet is nice. I think that's the key - you can't just get rid of tech and create a void, you have to work to replace it with actual community (the thing tech stole from us!). Sometimes it's helpful to create a runway using the tools you already have (FB, IG, etc.) to build an offline community, and you can give up less data by using a browser like DuckDuckGo. Also, go create your own website! You'll be invisible to search, but there are IRL ways to work around that.
A funny thing happened to me last summer. I inadvertently left the house without my phone. What makes it more interesting was that I happened to be heading for Ohio Amish country and did so in the old old 56 year old car. Well under way, I reached for the phone to open Google maps since I hadn’t been down there for years. No phone. Momentary panic! And then relaxation and a certain joy washed over me. This is how everything used to be. Not a computer in sight.
A word popped into my head: “autonomy.” I hadn’t felt this autonomy and personal agency in years. Since smart devices came into their own.
I consulted the faded Ohio map folded up neatly in the aptly named map pocket, shook out some dust and a dead fly and presto it worked! Batteries not required. My situational awareness bloomed and I stopped at various places that weren’t on any app, and even asked local folks for a good place to eat. Found a place with home cooking again not on an app. It was the best day trip I’ve had in years. A full tank of gas (in a non computer car) and some cash is all it took. I even felt somewhat subversive that day,haha.
Many of us of a certain age could go back to that if necessary. The young don’t even feel the intrusiveness of the surveillance state. It’s like the air to them. Not their fault really. But the neofeudalists have a lot to answer for. If they are ever asked.
Great information and advice, thanks! I don’t FB or instagram and never will. Left X when it was still Twitter and never looked back. I am here, I play games on my phone and text. I read books. I read Substack. I will consider going Analog!
If this happens it will only possible be because over the past fifty or so years we've undergone -- Globally! -- intensive political, economic, governmental, and scientific centralization, even just reverting to where we were on those fronts in the latter 1970s could be more than enough to prevent it...
I agree, it's not about quitting entirely but it's about creating some space between what the online machinations have trained you to do and what you are willing to accept going forward. It certainly requires becoming more conscious about how and what you are thinking. The great thing is as a real functioning human, you get to decide.
Kash Patel, a longtime loyalist to President Donald Trump, was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation — an agency he has talked about drastically restructuring while echoing Trump’s claims of the “weaponization” of the bureau’s powers in its Capitol riot investigations and other recent cases.
Again this could not be done without the republicans towing the line 😑
Got nauseous halfway thru and decided to quit reading. Might delete substack too.
Sorry about that. I know it is a lot.
Tbh it has been a little overwhelming just writing this shit lmao
Do you really think this algorithm is 'safe' from the DoD? I'm not saying people should also abandon substack. I'm saying we must adapt and evolve. Substack is a 'better' 'social' media in many ways, but have you seen all of the memes and videos lately? It's turning into Twitter and TikTok. You think that's not by design? Let's create something better. Something that actually encourages people to get offline. Something that actually changes the rules of the game... www.humbledeeds.com
I was thinking this too. Is Substack really better in the long run? For now, it's probably safe to say that it is. No advertising so far and the algorithm doesn't seem to want to sell you something all the time... Yet.
Great work, man!
Thanks Craig! Appreciate you saying that!
No worries! I read Surveillance Capitalism when it came out. It was a slog of a read but so enlightening. It really opened my eyes to a lot of things I was, up until that point, very naive about.
So quit the internet entirely?
No friend, small incremental acts of resistance. We can go analog as much as possible, but it’s unreasonable to think we can “just stop using the internet.”
We need to help create an internet actually worth using. And the good news is that, by simply being here, you’re already part of that movement :)
I see
YES. I hadn't made the leap from surveillance capitalism to surveillance fascism in my head yet, but that's what it is. Have been slowly working toward going analog for a few months and yeah, it's a little more lonely but also, the quiet is nice. I think that's the key - you can't just get rid of tech and create a void, you have to work to replace it with actual community (the thing tech stole from us!). Sometimes it's helpful to create a runway using the tools you already have (FB, IG, etc.) to build an offline community, and you can give up less data by using a browser like DuckDuckGo. Also, go create your own website! You'll be invisible to search, but there are IRL ways to work around that.
A funny thing happened to me last summer. I inadvertently left the house without my phone. What makes it more interesting was that I happened to be heading for Ohio Amish country and did so in the old old 56 year old car. Well under way, I reached for the phone to open Google maps since I hadn’t been down there for years. No phone. Momentary panic! And then relaxation and a certain joy washed over me. This is how everything used to be. Not a computer in sight.
A word popped into my head: “autonomy.” I hadn’t felt this autonomy and personal agency in years. Since smart devices came into their own.
I consulted the faded Ohio map folded up neatly in the aptly named map pocket, shook out some dust and a dead fly and presto it worked! Batteries not required. My situational awareness bloomed and I stopped at various places that weren’t on any app, and even asked local folks for a good place to eat. Found a place with home cooking again not on an app. It was the best day trip I’ve had in years. A full tank of gas (in a non computer car) and some cash is all it took. I even felt somewhat subversive that day,haha.
Many of us of a certain age could go back to that if necessary. The young don’t even feel the intrusiveness of the surveillance state. It’s like the air to them. Not their fault really. But the neofeudalists have a lot to answer for. If they are ever asked.
Yes! So true! Beautiful experience! One is almost afraid to give it a try. Idea: a holiday in that style!
Great essay! It gives me goosebumps reading - both in a horrifying and pleasant way (for the ending).
Great information and advice, thanks! I don’t FB or instagram and never will. Left X when it was still Twitter and never looked back. I am here, I play games on my phone and text. I read books. I read Substack. I will consider going Analog!
If this happens it will only possible be because over the past fifty or so years we've undergone -- Globally! -- intensive political, economic, governmental, and scientific centralization, even just reverting to where we were on those fronts in the latter 1970s could be more than enough to prevent it...
Great read!
I agree, it's not about quitting entirely but it's about creating some space between what the online machinations have trained you to do and what you are willing to accept going forward. It certainly requires becoming more conscious about how and what you are thinking. The great thing is as a real functioning human, you get to decide.
really genuine and good work! thank you for this.
depressing as fuck but a needed read
Kash Patel, a longtime loyalist to President Donald Trump, was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation — an agency he has talked about drastically restructuring while echoing Trump’s claims of the “weaponization” of the bureau’s powers in its Capitol riot investigations and other recent cases.
Again this could not be done without the republicans towing the line 😑
Very interesting—thank you for sharing!