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?
This is where I’m at. The process is fun for me, though. Setting everything up, maintaining it, seeing other people using the things I’ve put my time and effort into. Feels good.
Not for everyone, though, and I think that’s where division of labor comes in. We all have the weeds we wanna be in. Where someone sees weeds, I might see dandelions. Where I see weeds, someone else might see white clover, and we all work together to make each other’s lives easier
Having the time of my life setting things up. Not having the time of my life maintaining it. Fucking hating on securing my server.