Wonderful news. That means less electronic junk to recycle, much less pollution.

I’m actually quiet happy to own a dumbphone and no smartwatch. Having a powerful Linux laptop is great, but I came to the conclusion humans need low-tech for their mental health. Not having tech around me helps me focus, go on nice walks, write what’s on my mind and read books. I just feel happier.

If you aren’t careful, the things you own can end up owning you.

“Extra Verification steps”

I know how large social media companies operate. This is all about increasing the value of Reddit users to advertisers. The goal is to have a more accurate user database to sell them.

Zuckerberg literally brags to corporations about how good their data is on users:

https://www.facebook.com/business/ads/performance-marketing

Here, Zuck tells companies that Instagram can easily manipulate users into purchasing shit:

https://www.facebook.com/business/instagram/instagram-reels

Always be wary of anything available for free.

There are some quality exceptions (CBC, VLC, The Guardian, Linux, PBS, Wikipedia, Lemmy, ProPublica) but, by and large, “free” means they don’t care about you. You are just a commodity that they sell.

Facebook, Google, X, Reddit, Instagram… Their goal is keep people hooked to their smartphone. The recipe is very simple. You give them small dopamine hits (likes, upvotes) followed by a small break with outrageous content/emotional content. Then another dopamine hit.

Keep them hooked, gather their data, and sell them ads.

The people who know that best are former top executives :

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/05/smartphone-addiction-silicon-valley-dystopia

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/01/business/addictive-technology.html

https://www.today.com/parents/teens/facebook-whistleblower-frances-haugen-rcna15256