King produced the Guide in 2017 and opined that "the promise of technology is one of empowerment. Computers are tools. They make it easier, or even possible, to do certain tasks. Technology’s basic purpose is to help. While developers often mean well, much of our technology is less than helpful. Today’s web services leave us dependent on telecommunications companies, put control of our data in other people’s hands, and open us up to pervasive surveillance. Planned obsolescence takes our hard-earned cash and turns it into products that we need to replace every couple of years. Online
media stores now sell us permission to access books and movies instead of files that we get to own.
Rather than feeling empowered, I feel vulnerable. Certain technologies make me feel weaker and more exposed than I did before using them. I’ve reached a point where I’ve started to do without.
For Example:
1. Modern Day Luddite
Am I a modern day Luddite? From a glimpse at Wikipedia, Luddites weren’t protesting the existence or advancement of technology, they took issue with the way technology was being used to weaken their livelihoods. That is something I can empathize with. Watch the YouTube video here: Who were the Luddites?
Yet at the same time, I’m someone who pulls in an income working on the web. So I’m aware of the extent to which certain technologies have enabled me to have the life that I have. I have nothing against computers and the internet. But I did delete all of my social media accounts (and I’m not the first writer at MakeUseOf to have done so). I stopped backing up my data on a cloud storage service. I don’t stream music. Recently, I switched from using a smartphone back to a feature phone with a qwerty keyboard.
I don’t oppose all new technologies, but I do have deep reservations about some of them. What software can I trust to stick around? Am I dependent on others to get work done? Do I own what I think I own? Can I fix it myself? Most importantly — am I actually gaining anything from this? Is this service serving users, or are users serving the service?
In some ways, this isn’t that different from how the Amish approach adopting new technology. They don’t embrace new gadgets simply because they’re new, or even because they might be convenient. They only accept those that won’t compromise their values or way of life. Technology isn’t neutral, and they’re aware of this.
If you share the same concerns, this guide will help you take control of your digital life and only use the technology you need. What technology do you need? I can’t tell you that. I can only help you raise questions and find alternatives.
And if people want to call you a Luddite, let them.
Read on ..............................
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