Going analog
Every now and then, I fantasize about going analog.
Unfortunately, this choice is not an easy one to make.
Mostly because I have an emotional attachment to social media platforms and some SaaS (they hold memories, help me stay in touch with my friends and family as an immigrant/expat, they make my life convenient etc).
But also because it's been so many years of compounded use, that it ties into so many aspects of my life now. And that's exactly how it's been designed. That's why so many of us are not only addicted, but also semi-consenting slaves to this system and to mega-corporations.
It pains me to see just how dehumanizing tech tools have become over the decades. What once held great potential has been turned against ourselves. Has it all been bad? No, of course not. I'm grateful for tech advancements and even social media for many reasons.
However, I can no longer pretend that I don't know that the ones in power are using said technologies to spy on us, to control us (our time, our energy, our focus), to dumb us down, and of course to serve their own interests no matter what.
AI brings another complex layer to an already complex question. It's a topic I think about a lot these days. I've always had a relatively neutral (but wary) approach to AI, and at the moment, I'm leaning more against than I am leaning in favor of it.
Which sucks because I am convinced that, if it was built for truly good, humanist purposes, it could help us solve many issues especially when it comes to science and health.
The current tech landscape is not one I am feeling hopeful or happy about. It goes hand in hand with our society as a whole.
Almost daily, I dream that I could get off this weird, circus-like ride.
I might not be brave enough to ditch everything and live an off-grid or nomadic life, but I think I will at least slowly take steps to rethink my online presence, in hopes of getting closer to an analog life.
Would love to hear from others who might have done the same, or are currently thinking about this topic. Feel free to send me an email to chat about this!