A handful of companies control most of what we buy, search, and communicate through. Here's where to start pulling back.
Some people might feel that resistance is futile – nothing we can do as individuals is going to have an impact on companies as big as Amazon, Tesla, Meta or Google. But the time is right – there is a widespread loathing for Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos and their companies and platforms. As Facebook, Google and Amazon enter into the end stages of enshittification (the gradual decline in user experience as platforms prioritize profit extraction) there is a growing hunger for alternatives.
When you calculate the savings at Amazon, also calculate the costs: empty storefronts, empty sidewalks, crappy products. Plus predatory business practices and unfair labor practices. Practical alternatives and a guide to shifting your spending away from monopoly power.
Read More →Google Search used to be your gateway to the internet. Now it's cluttered with ads, spam, and an AI overview designed to short-circuit your trip. Luckily, there are good, privacy-protecting alternatives to Google Search, GMail, Chrome, Android, Maps and all the rest,
Read More →You probably hate Facebook already, for its invasion of privacy, its toxic algorithms, its reactionary politics, and its unending feed of slop and misinformation. Here's are some practical suggestions for making the break, if you haven't already. (Hint: you start by cross-posting to less toxic sites, such as Bluesky, Substack or Mastodon.)
Read More →This list only stays useful if organizers keep it current. Tell us what to add.