Trying to get less for free.
The news that Discord is going to be requiring users to upload copies of their IDs to access the full version of the product is just a reminder for me that free, centralized software and websites aren't a thing I want anymore. I don't think I can say I am militant about online privacy and I don't think other people need to stop using these products, or that, realistically speaking, any harm will come to the vast majority of people who don't. I just don't want to anymore.
It feels unpleasant. I feel used. I feel like these websites and applications are trying to take advantage of me and my attention instead of offering me a service, even though I am not arguing that they do offer services.
A lot of people who feel the same way are exploring FOSS (Free Open-Source Software) and I've done some of that too, but for the most part I just want to pay people money. I like supporting people who are providing something I consider a valuable service, and I like being able to ask them to support me if I'm having any kind of problem.
Folks I'm paying money to:
- Email, instead of using Gmail for free I'm paying an annual fee for a custom domain, and paying Proton Mail $5 a month to run my email. Result: no ads!
- Website, instead of using a social media website as my "home", I am paying an annual fee for a custom domain, and paying Bear Blog $5 a month to host this blog. Result: no ads!
- Photos, we have a paid account on Family Album, and invite our relatives to see new pictures of our kids.
It's not really just about the ads, though. I want to be somewhat in control of these spaces and what I will see there (and what other people will see there too). I'm just so sick of apps hijacking my mind.
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