Cory DoctorowOct 16, 2024

No matter how hard we all wish it were otherwise, the sad fact is that there aren't really individual solutions to systemic problems. For example: your personal diligence in recycling will have no meaningful impact on the climate emergency.

--

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this thread to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/10/16/keep-it-really-simple-stupid/#read-receipts-are-you-kidding-me-seriously-fuck-that-noise

1/

Pluralistic: You should be using an RSS reader (16 Oct 2024) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow

Show threadTubbDooseOct 16, 2024
@pluralistic I do believe people underestimate their individual power in these dynamics though. For one, there is no way to solve a collective action problem if no one even knows theres an action to be taken. Boycotts are the only honest way to raise awareness of the argument for boycotting XD. Second, our decisions influence other’s decisions. My refusal to use instagram reduces the marginal value of the silo to everyone who would want to communicate with me.
Show threadTubbDooseOct 16, 2024
@pluralistic I do think raising the power of rss would have good results but I’ve tried spreading the word of rss and it doesn’t go well. Everyone just says they don’t read blogs or news or webcomics and they are fine with their youtube subscription feed. Explaining that the reason they don’t read blogs or news or webcomics is because they lack rss which is the distribution to make that consumption possible never works. I just seem like a nerd tryng to change their habits for no reason.
Show threadCory DoctorowOct 16, 2024
@tubbdoose They can get Youtube updates via RSS, too.
Show threadTubbDoose
@pluralistic I moved my youtube subscriptions to my rss reader a few years ago and its been a great lifestyle improvement. But its really hard for me to sell it to other people. They don’t seem to have problems with youtube like I do so it is not at all easy to convince them of the benefits of an rss reader. That doesn’t mean its not worth trying but it is a lot more difficult than I feel it should be.
Oct 16, 2024 at 5:56pmWeb
Show threadLucyinchatOct 16, 2024
@tubbdoose @pluralistic I simply use sideloaded software that fixes my problems with YouTube.
Show threadTubbDooseOct 17, 2024
@anoraktrend I like the rss reader cause it brings youtube videos together with everything else I'm in interested in on the internet. But I also use a browser extension to hide the homepage and recommended feed for when I do click on a youtube link. Its weird how life changing having the power to do that is.
Show threadMrMozzOct 16, 2024
@tubbdoose @pluralistic if somebody has Android Newpipe is a good gateway to RSS. Subscribe and search still work the same way, you get the floating window player and it's a good way to get used to the idea of keeping track of your own feed for people.
Show threadGraniteGeekOct 16, 2024
@tubbdoose @pluralistic My brother is an rss reader fanboy and would sympathize - I've never made the jump
Show threadGlobaltomOct 16, 2024
@tubbdoose What RSS reader do you use?
Show threadTubbDooseOct 17, 2024
@Globaltom I use inoreader but only cause it was the one recommended in the blog post I read that convinced me to use rss like 4 years ago XD. I can't say if its better than others. There was a redesign update recently. Still getting used to it