John MeadowsSeeing the boycott US vibe spreading in Europe now as well as Canada. I am also thinking this is a worldwide opportunity for us all to rethink our spending habits, and try to move away from mindless consumerism, which destroys our bank balances, our planet, and our souls. #boycottusa
MΔMΔNTΕ MΕRiππͺπΊπ©πͺ@Jgmeadows well said ππ½!
Bridge&Tunnel Jeff@Jgmeadows This USA/Canada dual citizen approves of the boycott!
Yora@Jgmeadows I have been thinking for some time that the real problem is not the spoiled manbabies in the white house, but the very thing that "America" stands for.
The American dream has always been a pyramid scheme for the whole world. That's the real poison.
@yora Well put!
Alison Wilder@Jgmeadows as a really pissed off USian, I'm totally for this. In fact, I think I'm going to boycott us too. Or at least all Fortune 500 companies.
@alisynthesis Boycotting large corps who bend the knee to Trump is always a great idea!
@Jgmeadows I'm focusing on the tech companies. In fact, I'm teaching a seminar at my local library soon to help other people do it too!
Flyover blue@alisynthesis @Jgmeadows I want to know how to do it too. Can you make it simple enough for olds?
@flyblue @Jgmeadows I'm going to try. I don't think there is any getting around that people will have to sacrifice a little convenience to go in that direction. But I'm certainly not going to try to force people to be technical when they're not!
Once I have the series written, I'll probably try to put something online. I don't know if it will be in video or blog post form, but if you keep an eye out, I'll eventually say something about it.
For now, check this out:
https://www.optoutproject.net/the-cyber-cleanse-take-back-your-digital-footprint/
@alisynthesis @flyblue Thanks for posting that link! I will definitely have a look!
I am on a mix of Apple (not ideal) and Linux. At least it's not Windows!
Left Twitter very soon after Musk took over, and also left Instagram.
The trick will be leaving Gmail; I have been on it so long! I will need to chose a new provider and then start the painful process of migration. It certainly happen overnight.
Then there is Facebook. (Sigh) I can't convince all my relatives to leave overnight!1/2
One thing I find deliciously subversive is that fact that there is a huge (over 800k) Buy Canadian / Boycott US group on FB, using the enemies resources to fight back and organize. π
Leaving streaming services is tougher. I have left a couple since I am on the only one using them, but others are used by by the family and I can't just lay down the law.
Canadians will do what they can, and to hell with those who prescriptively demand perfection.
2/2
@Jgmeadows @flyblue My mom is having a really hard time with Facebook for the same reason. I haven't ever been on it, so I didn't have that problem.
To leave Gmail, here's what I did. I forwarded my Gmail to a new email service. (I chose to not let the new emails stay on Google servers.) Then I just started using the new email. I didn't migrate anything and I didn't delete my Gmail account. I know that's not canon in terms of deplatforming, but that was the way it worked for me.
@alisynthesis @flyblue Exactly my plan for Facebook!
Great minds think alike!! π
@Jgmeadows @flyblue If you're just a little bit techy, I recommend setting up your own domain for email so that you're not locked into any service.
I didn't actually migrate my old emails, and it has turned out that I have not gone back to find an old email in gmail once since moving. Same as dual booting a Debian/Windows system. I just have never booted back into Windows, LOL.
One thing I want to look at is using Thunderbird to download all my Gmail in Mbox format, so it can be stored locally, and be searchable, without need to keep the account active online. Need to do some reading.
@Jgmeadows @flyblue Yep, that should be very doable!
@alisynthesis @flyblue I switched to Vivaldi for my browser some time ago (but still have half a dozen browsers installed, lol). I love its great blocking/anti-tracking and workspace features.
@alisynthesis @Jgmeadows I started using tutanota, and duck duck go. Would Vivaldi be a better choice? I donβt use any social media but this, so I have that part down. Iβm still using a little bit of windows. Which Linux is easiest/best. I used it many years ago but that seems like a previous life at this point.
@flyblue @alisynthesis Which Linux is best such a religious argument. A lot of people suggest Linux Mint as a good intro. At least they are all free to try!
As for browsers, there are quite a few, and it can be personal preference. I do like Vivaldi myself but I would never presume to say it's the best. I'd say it's worth a look (and it's also free of course!)
@Jgmeadows @flyblue I love my Debian 12/Gnome! But yeah, you just gotta try some distros out. Don't be afraid to wipe and reinstall!
@alisynthesis @flyblue I like Debian 12 (on my Thinkpad) too! But I like KDE; I hope we can still be friends. π
@Jgmeadows @flyblue to the death! π€£
Auntie Mame@alisynthesis @Jgmeadows Moving my investments out of the country, get healthcare and Rx overseas, and try to permanently GTFO here. I hope to see Canada and EU open favorable visas for US emigrants, in the meantime, sanction DT. Hit him in his wallet.
@ymasumac @alisynthesis I would love to see Canada start scooping up progressive Americans!
@Jgmeadows @ymasumac I've looked into Nova Scotia very seriously, and it's HARD, especially as a self-employed person. I think I could get it done, but it would literally take years.
So yeah, at the moment, Canada doesn't want me, but I'd really love to see that change.
@alisynthesis @ymasumac I wish our government would be more strategic and innovative in this area!
@alisynthesis @Jgmeadows I did the math for a Canadian visa, but since Iβm almost 50, Iβm too old by 1 point (Iβm also self-employed). My ancestors settled Quebec City, Iβm trilingual (with French), progressive, and have an advanced degree. I hope that counts for something somehow. Take me!
@alisynthesis @Jgmeadows Iβm 2nd gen foreign born Portuguese, which qualifies for P citizenship. Last time Voldemort took office, I dug up all needed paperworkβ¦ and discovered my mother was adopted by her stepmother, so that broke the legal citizenship link. I might revisit this route and see if the Portuguese government would be sympathetic.
Including applying for a PhD overseas to get a student visa. Waiting on admission decisionβ¦
Iβm pulling all possible levers to GTFO.
@ymasumac @alisynthesis I wish you the best of luck! I've never been but I hear Portugal is amazing!! And if you speak French, I wonder if there is a Quebec shortcut? They really want more French speakers.
@Jgmeadows @alisynthesis Oooooβ¦ Iβll look into that! Fortunately Iβm in Chicago and have quick access to lots of consulates.
@Jgmeadows @alisynthesis My first trip out of the US was in 1978, I was 3, to Montreal. I still remember the cobblestone plaza reaching down to the waterfront. I went back in 2018 to revisit.
But seriously, I work in commercial and film production. Have produced work in Toronto. I should try to find employment with an ad agency or production company in the city. If they want to know how to work with US unions, I could help.
But seriously, I work in commercial and film production. Have produced work in Toronto. I should try to find employment with an ad agency or production company in the city. If they want to know how to work with US unions, I could help.
@ymasumac @alisynthesis There are always possibilities!!
NotAnneShirley@Jgmeadows @ymasumac @alisynthesis , it sounds like history repeating itself.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/united-empire-loyalists-reach-canada
United Empire Loyalists reach Canada
On May 18, 1783, the first United Empire Loyalists, known to American Patriots as Tories, arrive in Canada to take refuge under the British crown in Parrtown, Saint John, Nova Scotia (now New Brunswick), Canada. The town was located on the Bay of Fundy just north of the border with what is now the state [β¦]
@alisynthesis @Jgmeadows Latin America, Asia, and African countries I hope would also get on board!
RM@Jgmeadows this is happening in my family. No buying Oreos because they are American.
@rowlandm Glad to hear it!
CynBlogger βπ@Jgmeadows
Learning to differentiate between βI wantβ and βI needβ is critical as we face threats from trade wars and deteriorating economies, but the environmental, human & wildlife disasters due to exploitive #ClimateCrisis looms largest in our horizon.
Weβve been so slow to react, our reactions have been so weak and ineffective, and our refusal to face what is inevitable is just stupid.
There is no economy on a dead Earth. Greed is killing us all.
@cynblogger Very well put!!
The Penguin of Evil@Jgmeadows This would be great but what I am seeing is everyone going "dump Amazon" followed by "hey I bought all this shit I didn't need on Temu but is was cheap" 8)
@etchedpixels People need to think through it some more. (And I speak not as a paragon of virtue in this area, but as someone who is trying to do better.)
Melissa B@Jgmeadows I have posted some musings and ideas on this, using the hashtag #SpendingStrike Always looking for more.
@MelissaBenyon Thanks for the tag reference! Now following.
@MelissaBenyon One #SpendingStrike idea (I hope it fits) is buying used, and seeing if your local library has volunteer "Fix it"days where you can bring in small appliances for repair instead of buying a new one.
I'd also suggest if people don't want to buy a new PC for the "privilege" of running Windows 11, consider trying out the free Linux Operating system to get years more useful life out out a computer that the large corporations wants you to think is obsolete.
@Jgmeadows Good tip on the computer, thanks.
FeralFood@Jgmeadows @MelissaBenyon
Since I can no longer run my ancient Photoshop/illustrator (now gimp/inkscape) or my ancient msoffice (now libre office/google docs) on my current PC, its really just games on steam tying me to windows. And nothing truley resource hungry. And I understand theres some decent emulation/wine support on Linux now (havent looked into deeply yet).
So yeah, playing chicken with Microsoft's #windows11 announcement for now, but 2025 might just be the year of #linux on the desktop! Lol.
Might be different if I had to do 'work' on it, but that's what the work laptop is for (amusingly, that's a Mac).
@FeralFood @MelissaBenyon I am not a gamer, but I am hearing of people having success with Steam on Linux.
LukefromDC@Jgmeadows US goods globally could end up being treated as Israeli goods are and for some of the same reasons.
Note that Nazi Germany faced boycotts well before WWII
JΓΆrg Wagner@Jgmeadows We only can take influence to that decisions if we do no more buy US products. When the economy, especially the workers in the US recognize the shit, Mr Orange and his dangerous Kindergarden is doing, maybe they will stand up.
@Jgmeadows I believe that as long as trump is making all this trouble, Americans should boycott all American stores, products, and everything else that is American. there will are still plenty of other alternatives instead of going American.
DoNotPunchDown@DoNotPunchDown From a geographical point of view, Canada has to punch down.
πππ Too funny!
βπ»
wimvdputte@Jgmeadows - I started a few weeks ago. Trowing all US goods out of the window.
No more google mail, calendar, drive, etc... Moved to Proton.
No more Chrome, moved to Vivaldi.
No more FB, moved to Mastodon (but I keep my account for now. Not posting, not visiting, but unfortunately neccessarey for my contacts).
I do alot of sports and I'm in IT a bit. Have to buy a new sport watch, but it will be Polar or Suunto, no Garmin.
Need a new laptop, no more Apple but EURO-made PC, etc..
It will take some time to get rid of (almost) everything, but we'll get there.
No more google mail, calendar, drive, etc... Moved to Proton.
No more Chrome, moved to Vivaldi.
No more FB, moved to Mastodon (but I keep my account for now. Not posting, not visiting, but unfortunately neccessarey for my contacts).
I do alot of sports and I'm in IT a bit. Have to buy a new sport watch, but it will be Polar or Suunto, no Garmin.
Need a new laptop, no more Apple but EURO-made PC, etc..
It will take some time to get rid of (almost) everything, but we'll get there.
@wimvdputte I'm still on Apple but when the gear I have eventually is obsolete I will put Linux on it. (there is a team doing great work on getting Linux to work on Apple Silicon and I wish them continued success!!) I do run Linux on an older thinkpad and it is great!