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2. What would be flat out impossible to do? Let’s say I wanted to cut Google and Amazon out of my life completely so I blocked anything from their servers getting through to my computer – how much of the Internet would I lose just by blocking those two corporations? I expect a lot.
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NY Times journalist Kashmir Hill did this as an experiment back in 2020.
In case it is valuing tasty and delicious food. So lots of such places are out.
I probably would have made this move ages ago if it were just me. But my wife was big into posting videos on TikTok so shes less concerned with privacy as I am but there is harmony when both parties are in sync in their tech.
She has a lot less patience for tech frustration than I do.
I suppose this is a problem for some. But these things are tools. It is up to each of us on how we use them.
As an example when I go to dinner with friends, my phone stays silent in my pocket, only to be taken out when specifically called for. Like when we are planning our next get together, and I check my calendar.
It takes discipline and practice to do this. I find it a bit of cop out when the tool is blamed.
Say no more. 
Well, that answers a lot of questions I had. Thanks!
Thats fair. Most people do not have the discipline considering the people vying for our attention have the backings of Trillions in research to get your attention.
Also the Eink Space is just kind of cool in an era where all our devices have become boring glass slabs. When my iPad gives up the ghost I want to replace it with a Remarkable to serve as a digital typewriter. Its scratching the tech geek itch Apple used to in the iPod era.
My approach has been the Watch as a phone approach when I want to go minimal and to keep my iPhone fairly bareboned. I probably have like 7 apps on there that isnt Apple defaults.
But ultimately the anxiety is is that we now live in a world where keeping the internet in our pocket, all of the trauma, headache, and frankly obscene and pornographic material within arms reach is now a societal expectation. Our brains arent built for that kind of stimulus and we have not figured out how to moderate its impact like we did with media past. All brought to us by 5 Companies with more wealth than most industrialized nations.
If this was regarding my original post, then no, nostalgia isn’t the purpose.
I’m not going to go into my political beliefs or personal philosophy, but I feel so much of our digital life has turned into consumers being a part of a attention and data economy that we don’t always agree to or fully understand.
I could expand on that for paragraphs but I suspect nothing I say will be a new thought that everyone on this forum hasn’t worked through in some form or another already.
You’re absolutely right in another comment you made that these are all just tools. Like any other tools I use, I use it based on how effective it is and how much I like using it – and possibly how much the use costs me, either financially or in cost of maintenance, prep, etc. In other words, how reliable and accessible the tool is to me.
So let’s suppose that I decide the cost I’m willing to pay for the digital tools and entertainment I use is no longer one I feel comfortable regarding the data and attention economy. I’d rather use a different set of tools. What would that look like? What could I reliably pull off and what would be blockers for me that there may be no solution for, at least not one that I’m willing to put up with.
The end result may look like nostalgia but it doesn’t have to be. I like my digital tools and don’t want to get rid of them.
That looks fascinating.
Years ago I went to meet an old family friend of a woman I had recently started dating. He liked to visit with out-of-towners at the Boston Logan Airport, regardless of whether they came into town on an airplane or not. He just liked airports and eating in airports.
He brought me this as a gift (handed over in a brown paper bag).
Not sure if that was a coded message for me to stop dating his long-time family friend or just an eccentric gift, but it was an interesting read. I still have the copy (just in case I ever need it).
I’m curious about this one (unless it’s simply because the sound is better with Sonos).
Doesn’t Sonos tie directly in with Alexa now? Or can you get speakers that aren’t smart speakers still?
You could just get a “dumb” speaker and then use a Raspberry Pi or like device to smart it up if you want. that is what I do with my Crosley Record Player and Radio. I put AirPlay on my record player and it works great.
I’ve actually been thinking about getting some wired speakers and a receiver. Right now I’m streaming to either a Homepod (I have a mini and an original), neither of which have great audio to my ears, or to two old Denon speakers that are bluetooth only and probably a few tech cycles away from being bricked.
My dream speaker set up? About 8 small speakers, with round bulbous bodies not too dissimilar to the HomePod minis, each with 8 articulated legs that are tethered to whatever streaming device I’m currently using (phone or laptop) and that will follow the device from room to room. If I’m in any one room for too long they’ll automatically begin climbing to a higher vantage point in the room for better sound coverage.
That’s all I want from robotics. Nothing else.
Companies are not all the same. Thankfully, there are still many businesses that believe in the products they make or the services they offer, want to make a fair and reasonable profit to sustain their operation and support their employees, who pay their taxes, meet their obligations and do their best to treat their customers and suppliers well.
And it’s not just the size of the business that determines whether they are like that or exploitative.
One thing that is relatively new is vast amounts of cash owned by a very few individuals, mostly generated by being in the right place at the right time as new technology was launched. Some of those individuals will do what capitalism always has done, use their wealth to gather even more wealth, usually by taking it off others, and with wealth goes power. There are many fewer checks and balances on individuals, especially in privately owned, huge corporations, than there is when the company is owned and accountable to a multiplicity of shareholders.
There’s a lot wrong with a lot of things, IMHO, but while I’d share the need to be sceptical, I’d caution that being overly cynical won’t help.
“Not to mention their recent embrace of right-wing authoritarians.”
Please keep your politics to yourself on this forum. Others could criticize Apple for their embrace of left-wing dogma.
There are plenty of other spaces for you to express those where its appropriate. Many of us appreciate this forum specifically because it is not “political.” Please don’t respond with the “everything is political” argument; most people understand the difference between forums where partisan discussion is appropriate and those that are not.
From the FAQs for this forum: “The world is far too polarized. We want this to be a safe place for you to share your enthusiasm for getting the most from your Apple products, without bringing in politics or current events in ways that are not pertinent to the discussion at hand. Remember that and enjoy!”
If you want a secure smartphone check out the CalyxOS for Android phones from Calyx Institute I don’t want to run Android but I do take advantage of their internet hotspot offer when traveling. Unlimited T-Mobile data for about $40 per month.
Regardless of what you think of the man. This OS was Edward Snowden Approved for Privacy. Runs exclusively on Pixel phones.
Yes.
20 characters post.
Wondering if you’ve explored https://www.optoutproject.net
The creator, Dr. Vertesi, has crafted a step-by-step way to de-big-techify.
You know, after thinking this through a bit more yesterday, and taking my chastisements in this thread to heart, I’ve come to a better understanding about why I’ve thought about switching from time to time.
@karlnyhus is right, Apple is a massive trillion-dollar company who cares about profits above everything else. But… I think he’s only right to a point. For one, they weren’t always that way. I came to this community back when Apple was still the plucky underdog, and it’s been a heck of a fun hobby to watch them grow. I’ve meet some great friends through this, and owe at least part of my career to my fascination with the Apple community.
But that’s the point, it’s about the community, those of us here on the forum, the friends I’ve made IRL. It’s about supporting small businesses that care about the same things I care about, privacy yes, but quality and craftsmanship as well.
Apple owns and manages the platforms, and we have legitimate concerns about how Apple manages the platforms. But in the end, my devices have a net positive impact on my life, and the community that’s built up around the devices supersedes the importance of Apple itself.
@Jeagar52 I recognize this forum is not the place for political discourse. I sometimes forget that not everyone here is on the same political spectrum. I’m sure there are even some here that support the insanity happening in the American government right now. For those that do, you have my deepest sympathy. I’ll be sure to keep my politics to myself, and I’ll expect you to do the same.