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Recent comic: Cutting out the Middleman

I suspect that some readers might interpret this cartoon as a call for Luddism, but mostly it's a reflection of thoughts I've been having lately about out-of-control data harvesting and a growing surveillance state.

#tech #technology #privacy #data #comic #cartoon #surveillance #consumers #corporations

in reply to Jen Sorensen

more Luddism please! Nothing wrong with refusing to participate in harmful technology!
in reply to Jen Sorensen

With Stephen Colbert being cancelled and the major networks capitulating to fascism... going back to a pre-internet lifestyle may actually be the way out.
This entry was edited (4 months ago)
in reply to Jen Sorensen

Honestly, I'm thinking of going back to all of that. Though I'd be using public transportation, mainly buses. Or trains.
in reply to Jen Sorensen

I bought a pre-computerised car in 2021 for exactly this reason. I've not quite got to the other stuff yet, but I can feel it coming.
in reply to Jen Sorensen

But.. But there are steps in between in "Electronic Communication" and "writing a letter like it's 1850.".

Print Media? From news happening to receiving a printed copy.. Just takes too long.

Nonono. Technology is awesome. Just learn how to use it - and what to use. Right tool for the right job. Not all tools at once!

And please, no drilling holes in heads to relief a headache...

in reply to Jen Sorensen

The original Luddites were very technologically apt, maintaining and constructing their own looms. They engaged in the destruction of machines belonging to the industrialist willing to reduce pay and quality.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite

in reply to Jen Sorensen

The way things are going, I genuinely expect some loom-smashing due to a lack of profits being shared with us working-class.

But also, I definitely want a reduction in shitty, unnecessary tech...

in reply to Jen Sorensen

we need much more luddism these days. Cheers and thank you for this. I'm very worried about my next car in particular.
in reply to Jen Sorensen

Sometimes the simple things work the best.

Overcomplexity leads to multiple failure points.

in reply to Jen Sorensen

Old technology is generally more repairable, and tends to last longer. I have a plate warmer that dates from the 1950s (estimated, could be earlier) - simple plug, lead, and connection to a long resistance that just gets warm, so is unlikely to burn out, not even a switch or light, made mainly from metal, with some plastic (Bakelite?) ends. Nothing to go wrong means it will last as long as I need it.
in reply to Jen Sorensen

just careful plugging that *sony* walkman in any digital devices, never know what it will try to install
in reply to Jen Sorensen

I think for most people it's not realistic to cut out the middle man entirely but maybe it's a good start to reduce your presence. I've been on a years long journey to de-google my life. There's lots of videos and blogs out there but I recommend people start with customizing their privacy settings first. It's zero cost, monetary and functionality, and is instantly rewarding.
in reply to Jen Sorensen

Living that pre-Internet life is, I'd wager, more environmentally friendly as well, provided one is doing it "instead of" rather than "in addition to."
This entry was edited (3 months ago)
in reply to Jen Sorensen

My car is a well-maintained 2006 Camry, and I will drive it until the wheels fall off.
in reply to Jen Sorensen

Hits a nerve. I currently drive a 2008 car. I'd love to replace it, but I'll have to go into the dashboard and remove or disable the cell antenna there. Ugh.
in reply to Jen Sorensen

We actually hosted a panel discussion on the problems that modern #technology both solves and creates.

We discussed questions surrounding personal #data collection policies and processing, the influence of smart tech, and the right to refuse their use.

You can hear our experts speak on the topic in Czech and English here 😀

👉 inspirationforum.com/video/sma…

This entry was edited (4 months ago)
in reply to Jen Sorensen

HELLO!! I would love to hire someone to get my Rogue to stop stalking me! I can drive to you. Midwest.

I am too paranoid to be joking. And is it really paranoia if it's true?

#Job #TechJob
#Hiring
#ServiceRequested

Or I'll have to seriously consider
slate.auto/en

Oh ffs Slate is Bezos' thing. Goddammit.
mastodon.social/@mac4ever/1145…

This entry was edited (4 months ago)
in reply to Jen Sorensen

Oh man I got in a big fight about this cartoon on lemmy because they were all like, “Well ackshully, there’s still a middleman if you buy print media, stationery and flip phone,” and I was all like, “I don’t think they mean that kind of middleman; have you ever had a page in a paper book ask if you want an AI plot summary, or a ball point pen make you subscribe to ink to continue writing.” They still didn’t get it.
I guess every comic has to pass a literal correct test over there.
in reply to Jen Sorensen

A big problem I have with the collection of data is, that they also make it hard or impossible for you to use them by your own as you like.

Sure the other big problem is that the data will be miss used from bad actors against you. But a lot of people are good in underestimating this risk. It's to abstract.

in reply to Jen Sorensen

Luddism suffered muchly from the propaganda of capitalists methinks. Luddites were not so much opposed to modern technology as opposed to workers being replaced by machines with many put out of work. I think this interpretation is more in line with what you are saying with this comic. People being replaced by AI.
in reply to Jen Sorensen

I'm also way more worried about what happens to the data than the often low quality of the 'help'.

"They're taking our jobs", is not the risk we should be worried about 😅

This entry was edited (3 months ago)
in reply to Jen Sorensen

This isn't Luddism, though. This is exactly how evolution of most technology progresses...

1. New technology enables mass production. (printing press)
2. Old tech practitioners go out of business. (scribes & calligraphers)
3. New tech enables cheap, common, and banal output. (self-publishing)

At this point, the old tech practitioners transition from being Luddites to Artists.

And this time, the evolution from step 1 to step 3 has happened over an incredibly short timescale...

in reply to Jen Sorensen

Focusing on being a little bit more Neo Luddite and cooperate with our peers

That's the key, IMHO.

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