Comment by superloika
2 days ago
> If you want to make a meaningful contribution, however small, then make it a point to educate people about the control they are giving to large corporations like Google.
This is a fool's errand. We live in a time without virtuous values, where convenience is king. The masses don't care about cookies or consent, they accept all. They only understand direct punishment.
Generalizing like this is a fool's errand, if anything. We care, and we are part of the "masses". If this is something you care about, share with others: there will be those who value it.
HN is NOT part of the “masses” in the sense “masses” is being used here.
A difference is being drawn between HN users who are interested in tech, and the everyone else. Most of humanity has little interest in Tech, and would rather spend their time on other things.
This also means they are less aware of ways to keep themselves safe, or less on top of whatever current threat is sweeping through the internet.
After multiple interactions on this site, I can say with some confidence that the average HN commenter does not have the same experience with technology that the average user does.
This divergence is resulting in different priorities and conversations.
I agree about HN being technically literate. I have non-technical friends that definitely care about privacy, their rights, maintaining a healthy economy, freedom in general. Then I have friends that don't really pay attention to that. I'm saying don't lump people into a single silly generalization.
Edit: I think that, given that us HNers often self-identify as tech priests, advocacy and education should follow naturally from that.
>This is a fool's errand.
It is absolutely not. Awareness is what people need right now because nobody is saying anything different then the established line. The more people that put there voice into this, the better off we are going to be.
I'm hosting a Surveillance Capitalism Presentation soon that I designed myself, I'll likely post it on the net when I am done. If you are interested in hosting a zoom call or an in person awareness campaign like this. Email me from my website[0] campaign form[1] and ill notify you when its online and you can download it and use it yourself to host your own venue.
[0]: https://www.scottrlarson.com
[1]: https://www.scottrlarson.com/forms/form-contact-campaign/
> The masses don't care about cookies or consent, they accept all. They only understand direct punishment.
Honestly, I can totally see where the cynicism is coming from, however if you think about it, that's a pretty condescending view. This effort might be Sisyphean, but things are not as dire as you might think.
People are already seething at how much their lives are being enshitified by Big Co. Even if 10% of voters reach out to their representatives, it would be a tidal wave. Politicians are terrified of the popular will and this is not a hill they are willing to die on. Just see the success of the right to repair movement as an example.