[api]

It is way, way past time for a new tech-individualist project. The PC revolution was not merely a product of market forces or of legislation. It was the product of a movement that included things like the Homebrew Computer Club and the Whole Earth Catalog.

One of the biggest rocks we need to move is to push against this tide of cynicism, futility, and crazy conspiracy mumbo-jumbo. All these things keep people from doing anything by either making them give up before they started or by channeling their effort toward dead ends. You can't struggle for a better future if all your effort is being channeled into fighting reptilian shape shifting space aliens hepped up on adrenochrome or some other piece of fantasy bullshit.

[adamrezich]

I completely agree with your first paragraph but struggle to make any connection between it and your second paragraph

[api]

The relationship is definitely tangential, but the idea is that people need to start doing actual things instead of imaginary things to fight for their autonomy.

[mindslight]

I agree with you, but something bothers me about your wording. I think it's the idea that the people doing the conspiratorial-imaginary things could switch course and do something productive. I very much wish that were the case. But the times I engage with the conspiratorial people and try to convey that there are ways to regain your autonomy, they seem to end up "othering" me for not just echoing their mumbo jumbo talking points.

I'm talking something very simple like trying to get across to them that GPS satellites do not "track you", but rather it's software on your phone itself that is betraying your location. They just don't seem interested when I say that they can choose better apps, or even point out that my phone gives up much much less surveillance data than theirs. It's like they don't even consider it possible to self-actualize, and all the conspiratorial nonsense is just a coping mechanism.

Perhaps this could change with an off-the-shelf Free anti-surveillance device (just use this and your problems will be solved), that would gain popularity via social proof among themselves. I just don't think the energy, money, or interest to develop such devices are going to come from said communities.

[aaron-santos]

The conspiratorial premise is an external locus of control. Everything else is world building.

[zepto]

In many ways it makes little difference whether the conspirators are lizard aliens, or a cabal of capitalists in a smoke filled room.

[ElevenLathe]

...or a cabal of capitalists who never really meet at all but just "coordinate" via the market, media, armies of accountants and lawyers, etc.

[zepto]

Indeed - if your mind is fixated on that cabal and it leads to hopelessness, it is just the same.