Fixing My Digital Life

The internet is heading in a dark direction.

I'm sure we all knew that at some point, the internet was going to become absolute shit. With the UK passing the Online Safety Act which will require websites to ask for ID, our privacy is even more at risk. If I'm correct, YouTube is going to start using AI to determine users' age in the US as well. If YouTube's AI deems a user is under the age of 18, the user will have to provide either a credit card, ID, or selfie scan to prove otherwise. Plus, I'm sure it won't be long before the US tries to pass a similar bill as the UK's. 

If you're wondering why I'm focusing on the US so much, it's because I live here.

The CEO of Spotify recently donated over $700 million to a defense firm in Europe called Helsing. Helsing is now implementing AI into their weapons. Some bands have removed themselves from Spotify because of this, and many people, including me, have cancelled their Spotify subscriptions. I don't want any more of my money to fund AI war weapons. 

Even language learning isn't safe since Duolingo decided to be "AI First," and fire a bunch of their employees. Good thing there are plenty of other language learning resources out there.

Netizens, we need to do better. These companies aren't going to listen if we keep giving them what they want. If YouTube asks for your ID, don't give it to them. If you use Spotify, cancel your subscription. If you're using Google Chrome, download a different browser. Right now I'm using DuckDuckGo, but Ecosia is also good because they plant trees! 

Physical media is back, baby! I've been looking into mp3 players to buy. I could buy a portable CD player, but those are too big and clunky. I've been looking into the Innioasis mp3 players. Specifically the Y1. Plus, there are a plethora of ways to get music files without forking out a bunch of money, but I worry about putting a virus on my computer. I wish Limewire would come back, but without the viruses. Maybe I can buy a cheap, refurbished Chrome Book that I don't care if it gets a bunch of malware on it or not. 

It might also be time to start making our own websites again. I've been looking into Neocities, and I love it so much! I really want to learn how to make my own website on Neocities. I think that'll be a fun project. I learned a little bit of HTML to customize my page on here. I can definitely learn more HTML to make myself a whole website!

I also encourage people to start using their libraries more! Check out books, movies, and CD's, even if you don't use them! This makes the library look good so that they'll keep getting funded! I currently have a Chinese history book checked out right now called The Long March: The True History of Communist China's Founding Myth by Sun Shuyun. I've been enjoying this book so far. I've only ever heard of The Long March, but didn't know much about it. I had been wanting to learn more about Chinese history, so I decided to check it out! 

Knowledge and education is key! The more educated the population is, the harder it is for the government to control us. You don't need a formal education. Read more books and articles. Watch more documentaries. Listen to more educational podcasts. Learn more about where you live and the world around you.