stellargmite

Presumably IRL they live in a fairly secular, non theocratic society, so perhaps its their chance to start a virtual cult. Strange that they're non specific about this higher being. Guess I could bring one of my equally fictitious higher beings on one of their fictitious raids.

You're right, but also They get alot more from the deal than you acknowledge. The service has never been free. They already had a profitable model, and now they want even more. I call it evil, but in a sense it’s standard corporate behaviour.

The two approaches you mention need not be mutually exclusive. I ditched google services more than 10 years ago, while loving somewhere they did some truly despicable antidemocratic things. but so what? They're a corporation. There are political lobby groups, privacy foundations and advocacy groups you can contribute to. Despite being respectfully evangelical with those around me, most other than a fringe really don't care enough about this. Doesn't mean I’ll stop. I will still suggest alternatives. They're my principles. you're working in their interest if you tell your allies to give up. I understand and share the cynicism around political process especially in democratic nations with disappointing levels of corporate influence over legislation, we can only engage in it best we can, as well as exerting our rights as consumers. The critical mass required may seem insurmountable but negativity toward those effectively on your side is not going to help either.

To a degree perhaps. It has also monopolised industries that feed into each other. Even if you choose not to use their consumer products, you are being used by them as the product in these industries if you use the web at all, which is most of their business model. That isn't consumer choice. Political intervention is one hope, which in some countries I guess there is some consumer power over, if consumers were to collectivise to a degree more valuable than the lobbying power of this monster. The internet was turned into the yellowpages with sharp teeth by google .

Thanks for the headsup. This is the final push I needed. Been running Jellyfin for 6months or so but need to put more time into it. Plex has been great, and I’ve also been paying (though felt a little conflicted) a sub which I’m willing to do if it keeps a worthwhile project on an honest trajectory aligning with my needs and restrictions, for a good service or product. However they're now doing exactly why I started on the self hosting path. Who’s to say the third party is jot going to be a heavy handed industry body, corrupt authority , let alone the problematic world of adsales? They’re walking a very strange line and seem very confused about their purpose. Other than the all ruining ‘growth’. Seeya plex.

Shane Jones is less useful and more damaging than a cloud of noxious gas. A pseudo pompous diluted boris johnson . It is very disappointing that anyone would be impressed with the hot wind emanating from his flatulent person, enough to vote him into parliament. That he behaves proudly this way at the behest of the backward ecology ending fossil fuel industry, adds insult to the injury.

They would still have everything else to make up for and improve, but maybe it would be a start. Unfortunately self criticism is not in the programming, and its a very dangerous failing. Saying that, the boom in mental health awareness in China is an interesting cultural development occurring since covid, and Beijing has been involved in it.

I ditched it around 2014 when I noticed it had effectively become the yellow pages. Its pretending to be one thing to the ‘user’ when its actually serving someone else. This is transparent of course but the balance/compromise or tradeoff of it still providing some utility to the user despite this is what may vary for different people. My threshold was low. That and the privacy violations. Unfortunately its a corporation.

Was never a fan fan, but as you say they were always there. I saw them many times and often unintentionally at various festivals. They always gave 120% of themselves when performing . Bloody hard workers. I was lucky to see their final final show day after homegrown. 2 albums played back to back and another whole set . 3.5 hours. That is not easy to do and they gave everything never waning, and showed appreciation to their hometown. It was an appropriately epic and very emotional night. It only took 30 or so years to win me over but I’m now a fan.

Thanks both. I’ve seen enough. Beyond problematic on substicks part.

Mind providing a bit more context to this so I can look it up ? I’ll boycott substick if need be.

No apology needed. Only ever taken the thing 4 times in my life so some user perspective appreciated.