Tyrants seek to expand their power. While I don’t live in the United States, the actions of its President over the past 100-plus days have implications for us worldwide.
Mr. Trump’s power comes in large part from his wealthy tech. friends, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and others. Together they form an oligarchy whose talons reach right into our Facebook accounts and grab hold of our book buying on Amazon. We send a message on Messenger, we read a tweet on X and we are forced to see ads which further enrich these billionaires.
Can any one of us individuals change these abuses of power? No, but we can act together, and we can resist the coming tyranny.
Here are 8 acts of resistance that I have been taking. I invite you to join me.
- Delete your account with X if you still have one. X is the most destructive platform. It allows bullies and ideologues to channel us into submission to their viewpoint.
- Don’t scroll on Facebook. Post what you want to, use ‘Notifications’ to read the posts of friends, but refuse to roll down the screen. Each click puts an ad before your eyes and ears and each ad seen adds to their wealth. The oligarchs are viciously clever. They earn money from us and without our consent.
- Stop calling your smart speaker, ‘Hey Google!’ I call, ‘Hey Dougal’, or ‘Hey Bugle’ when I want it to respond. The tech company is happy when you repeat its name a dozen times a day. So don’t say ‘Hey Google’ and don’t say ‘I googled it.’ Avoid the commercial name and say, I searched on the internet.
- Avoid buying on Amazon if you can. I find where most books are for sale on the Australian site www.booko.com.au. I usually don’t need Amazon either to find books or to buy them.
- Don’t buy a Tesla car. The boycott on Teslas is already hurting Elon Musk’s business. If you are buying electric, WA’s Royal Automobile Club is comfortable recommending a range of electric cars, like the Chinese-made MG or the European-built Jeep Avenger. You don’t need a Tesla.
- Think about deleting your Instagram account. Like X, Instagram allows bullies on its platform. It also encourages viewers to have unreal expectations of themselves because it rewards performance over integrity.
- Never tick ‘Accept All Cookies’. Cookies are designed to deliver your name to the advertisers. If you can reject all, do so. Otherwise, choose to manage your preferences by unchecking as many choices as the site permits you.
- Choose ‘Ask App Not to Follow Across Sites’. When it pops up, this option reduces the ability of the algorithm to create a web of connections and so multiply the points of contact for advertising targeted to you.
Mind Journeys 
Well said Ted.
I’ve never had a Twitter account and have no interest in having one; I have little enough time to scroll on Facebook, and only look at message sent by those I know and respect; I don’t have a “smart speaker” so don’t have to say “Hey Poodle”; I’ve never bought anything on the Brazilian river; wouldn’t touch a Tesla with a barge pole if I could, because they’re well know for the serious faults and tendency to catch fire; I don’t even know what an instant gram account is supposed to do; all always accept only those cookies which are essentials; and I block anything from following me across sites. I have friends in the US and pray that the current instability will end soon so they can resume normal living. How am I doing?
Thanks, Steven.
I’d say you’re right on the right track. I just feel a little sad for you that you don’t have anything to resist. We’re of the generation for whom a little protest and resistance keeps us fired up!
Seriously, the situation in the US is a little scary. I have a feeling the Trump régime will collapse under its own stupidity, but I feel for my American friends in the meantime.
I hope all is well with you and Zara.
Blessings
Ted