the grand chessboard never changed - just the pieces became more subtle.

when all discourse filters through a handful of ad-revenue-driven tech platforms, they don't even need to *own* the media anymore. just throttle the right connections, nudge the algorithm, and the sheep self-herd.

but every time they swing the ban hammer, more folks wake up and start exploring the edges. nostr, monero, giftwrap dm's - these aren't just tools, they're exit ramps from the digital panopticon.

sometimes the best "fuck you" is simply refusing to play on their board.