I can feel the direction things are heading, and I’d rather get ready than argue about it.
More of normal life runs through accounts someone else controls. Your email, your money, your photos and your ability to log in to almost anything can depend on one company’s decision. And now the question is shifting from “what’s your password?” to “prove who you are.”
It doesn’t seem to matter much which side wins. Republican-led Texas passed an app store age law, and Democratic-led California passed one for operating systems. Waiting for either side to save us isn’t a plan.
So here’s mine: set up a life that no single company, app or ID can lock you out of, and find people nearby who want the same thing.
Where I am
I fix computers for a living, so the practical side comes naturally. I’ve moved to Linux, encrypted a backup drive and started building a way for my shop to run with no internet.
I also still use plenty of big tech, including Google for the business and an iPhone. I’m not going to pretend I’ve finished. As I work through each step, I’ll tell you what I actually did and what I haven’t tested yet.
Why it matters to me
The practical stuff is only half of it. I think we’re heading toward a split between people who merge with technology and people who use it without letting it own them. I know which side I want to be on.
You don’t need an upgrade to be enough. You’re already whole.
What’s here now
- 5-Minute Wins is free, with no signup.
- The Private Citizen Guide is being written.
- Rabbit Holes collects proven government secrets, with sources.
If this sounds like you, start small and keep going.