Haven't used a desktop in many years--and probably never will again (so I guess I have to disagree).
For me it's also that a desktop / monitor "takes up space" permanently (which I view a bit differently from "mobility").
#m=image%2Fjpeg&dim=600x600&blurhash=U5E%3ASV*5%7Dd020DRWxa%3Fa0JQ%7DO%23_18w%25zE1IU&x=0bc76c17dddc34568791c41460c6f2cf0456f9a8b2c649f4dca83c722823c0b0
It can be challenging to convince people to abandon tyranny technology
One of our readers wrote the following about why should he bother switching from Google products. We will try to convince him otherwise. He said:
“I keep thinking, to what extent does it matter that Google will know my interests to show me targeted ads? I don’t care, I actually prefer to see relevant ads if I have to see ads”
First of all, you don't have to see ads. If you use uBlock Origin browser extension or Brave Browser for example you won’t see them. Another option is a DNS block on Google. Even with a regular stock android any of these options work.
Second, you assume that the advertiser will charge you a fair price regardless. Our previous article on browser fingerprints, demonstrated from numerous academic sources that many retailers will abuse their knowledge about you to charge a higher price. For example Target charged a higher price on the mobile app when shoppers were physically closer to a store, because alternatives were much less convenient. Other examples include airlines knowing you will buy tickets because you checked the flight multiple times, and then jacking it up for you. You can find this article here:
https://simplifiedprivacy.com/browser-fingerprints-lead-to-price-discrimination/
He continues: “That Google will delete my account one day because they dislike something I said online? That would be bad, but by far less likely and, I can protect myself from this, I think, simply by having backups of my data and an email address in my own domain, using proton mail or alike, right?”
Yes, that’s exactly what we’re saying. Google can and will ban you for speech they dislike and by heavily using their services, you’ve become dependent on their will. This isn’t just about privacy, but it’s about power and self-sovereignty.
Now you might say, “oh well I’m not speaking out, and I’m not a controversial public influencer”. But what today may be normal speech or actions, may change in the future. For example, 10 years ago, would you have thought you might be forced to take a vaccine to enter a restaurant? Who knows what drugs future Google will require for accounts you’ve become dependent on.
He continues:
“What else can Google do to me? Denounce me to a dystopian government for being interested in Bitcoin, do that they can try to confiscate it? Sure but, first of all, hopefully extremely unlikely, and secondly, it’s “too late” already. I’m signed up in Gmail to many Bitcoin newsletters. They already know.”
If your Bitcoin can be taken, what is even the purpose of it? That sounds like a bank account, and Google can see all private keys kept on Android. So you never really own self-custody Bitcoin with Google, you only have temporary access.
It’s not unrealistic to think the government will confiscate your Bitcoin or try to do ridiculous tax hikes such as unrealized capital gains. Not only are people such as Elizabeth Warren actively pushing for this in Congress, but past precedent has shown the steps governments will take when their currency experiences heavy devaluation.
For example, in 1933 FDR confiscated Americans gold . Another example is India literally going door-to-door to confiscate cash, to force people in digital surveillance. Yet another recent example is in Nigeria, the forced CBDC program, which tried to end physical cash.
The idea that they “already know” and therefore you should never change is ridiculous. The knowledge about your past activity becomes less and less relevant, the sooner you stop surrendering all future data to a malicious surveillance firm such as Google. Bitcoin can be sent to an empty wallet on a Linux computer or DeGoogled phone and now you “don’t have it anymore” in the eyes of the empire.
There’s the old expression of the boiling frogs. That if you turn up the heat suddenly, they hop out. But if you slowly dial it up, they boil to death, not realizing there’s a way out.
Then again, you may not know about this example if Google AI is deciding everything you see.
If I only had 5 sats for every time someone said to me "I have nothing to hide..." or "I like getting targeted ads..." or "it's too late--they already know all about me...nothing I can do now..."
Short answer: without evil you couldn't recognize good
Long answer:
#m=image%2Fjpeg&dim=792x382&blurhash=Z4S%7Ex59Fj%5Bxu%25Mxu%25M-%3B%25M-%3B%25MofM%7BRjayj%5BayRj%7Eqt7j%5BxuRjWBM%7BM%7BRj%25MWBM%7Bj%5Bj%5Bj%5BayWBof&x=5ede3e519e38070ca213f3d64f9e82c9529746d6f9ef4e2895f43d9c96c80caf
#m=image%2Fjpeg&dim=1024x1024&blurhash=UBH1_GS%7DIoo%23%7EV%24fn5s.IoSixbj%3FIURjV%5BoJ&x=3474e2d20240a9a3937f1f0b8ae6eaeffc2f0e0c96721ae05ac6b051d94e20c3
#m=image%2Fjpeg&dim=1024x1024&blurhash=UFFYlnELXSxu%3FwROV%40s%2C%5EkS%7ER*V%40Rk%25NjZaf&x=f4f12b81dcd37f1aeaa94bb05d3886f3f0f6c5c484b059000f2390be0d1405a8
One of my all time favorites:
https://www.harvestmoonbrew.com/pigs-ass-porter-london-style-dark-ale/
Ahhhh--that feels good....sent my first Zap of 2024!
😃
#plebchain
#grownostr
#zapathon
GM nostr:npub1jnmx5cfc5g8pyr80hc6rzqccdqzgg7kevxf3vas78em2qck4lmgqpsk5lw
Have a blessed day my fren.
And a happy new year.
#m=image%2Fjpeg&dim=940x788&blurhash=%3B8DR%7EfSM00%3DfTcAVxVm-xa1HkW%2C%3DVs%24%24XSnPsAOY00WB%7EBOTV%5D%23rs%3Bb%5ES3%7DXrr%24%25T00hr%3F%25fS4%23k01%24*yXIq%5E0slE2X8R%25v%7CItAI--%5EiIVD*t6NxNZSL%5E5wK0%24Or%25KrXwg%252xVE2IW-UxtWCRkRm&x=8eb834611fd7f6af9ce250faaf2fa2845d0051df1fd6e267a30d5d8390b68d51
Love that coffee image (goes perfect with my morning cup) 😃
GM Nostr and Happy New Year!
#grownostr
#coffeechain
#plebchain
Was wondering what was up today with Primal (my preferred client 😃)
It’s pretty freaking insane but within 24 hours we’ll be setting foot on #Antarctica. 🙈
Happy new year, frens.
Do the shit you always wanted to do. 💜
#plebchain #travel #overlander https://video.nostr.build/8e37acae5f07a2ea4fd57f87158a903ed43702023da5b95a49be36f379c4048b.mp4
Wow! Good for you--please send pics. That'll be a trip you'll remember forever!!
GM Nostr - anyone have any special plans for New Years Eve? Anyone going to Times Square for the ball drop?
#plebchain
#grownostr
Great example--I'm going to start using this one to hopefully help folks understand the risks
Oh--yes! That one too--"They already know my information, so there's nothing I can do now"
And (the one I get from my brother): "I know Facebook is bad, but I need it--I get information there I can't get anywhere else"
Funny you say that, as I feel I often have contrary opinions here...
The single most troubling phrase in our modern world: "I have nothing to hide"
Not judging...just observing.
The stimulus checks were funded by printing money--and that contributed to inflation.
Yet the only people I know who didn't accept that money are the wealthy (who didn't qualify, but of course who still had to pay for those checks through taxes and inflation).
It's hard to be critical of the government while at the same time be willing to accept its gifts when they benefit us...
The year has been a wild ride. Looking back, here's 7 articles we got the most positive feedback on. Maybe you missed something and you're missing out...
7) Big Tech Abuses Medical Privacy
They are selling your problems, you won't believe this,
https://simplifiedprivacy.com/big-tech-abuses-medical-privacy/
6) SimpleX vs Session (animated video)
The animation helps make this crystal clear, so you can get the most benefit,
https://video.simplifiedprivacy.com/simplexsession/
5) Facebook is Corrupt Evil Spyware
Did you know they are tracking you OFF the platform? Even whose standing next to you?
https://simplifiedprivacy.com/facebooks-corrupt-off-platform-surveillance/
4) Pro/Con of DeGoogled Phone Operating Systems
If you're thinking of DeGoogling, this is the best place to start,
https://simplifiedprivacy.com/degoogledphones/
3) VPN Mistakes to Avoid
People think they are getting more privacy than they are. Don't be that guy,
https://simplifiedprivacy.com/vpn-mistakes-to-avoid/
2) Pro/Con of “Privacy” Phone Numbers/Services
Where do you go to get those burner numbers? These aren't blocked,
https://simplifiedprivacy.com/burners/
1) Google’s Surveillance: The Shocking Truth
How much data can Google really see? You'd be really surprised to learn,
https://simplifiedprivacy.com/googles-surveillance-the-shocking-truth/
Happy New Year
NIce of you to mention Nostr! 😃