keirFoxMay 23, 2025

I don't want to be on the blockchain. I don't want to mint NFTs, I don't want to vibe code. I don't want to beg you to hit the 'subscribe' button and ring the bell. I don't want to game the algorithm for your likes or your views or your shares or to be on the first page of results or to get recommended. I don't want you to gift Nitro to my server. I don't want the thumbnails of my videos to have a red circle and question mark next to a faked expression of surprise, I don't want to pay for items that give me an advantage over other players. I don't want you to take a moment to hear about today's sponsor. I don't want to pump a meme coin, I don't want to craft prompts, I don't want to influence. I don't want you to watch me react to watching a video.

I'm seriously sick of this shit. All of it.

Show threadkeirFox

"That makes you old."

Maybe. But more and more I feel a lot of this is about exchanging self in response to a perceived need to monetize one's world and/or to find people are desperate for: community.

May 23, 2025 at 7:20pmWeb
Show threadcatraxx May 23, 2025
@keirFox Yeah, i feel the same tbh.
Show threadxenia  May 23, 2025
@keirFox in my opinion, the best thing you can do is to try building it yourself, if you can. 
Show threadtriswebMay 24, 2025

@keirFox the identification of all of this being a desperate attempt to find and participate in community is spot on. Maybe mixed with the desperate attempt to survive in a capitalist hellscape that makes it this particular shape.

Maybe people need more examples of what real community looks and feels like. More good role models in large form. I don’t even think the fediverse is that thing, it’s just a free and distributed version of the existing type of online. I don’t know.

Show threadWestern ExposureMay 25, 2025
@trisweb @keirFox
We have a small (very rural) neighbourhood meet-up on Saturday nights - mutli-generational, maybe 6-8 folks. Most bring some food - home-made cake or something. And we just sit around the ol' cottage kitchen, drink tea, and chat for a few hours. The same people recently stepped up and in in all sorts of marvelous and kind ways and also took care of my animals when I suddenly landed in hospital for 10 days. There's nothing like real community.
Show threadKinene⭐🐻May 24, 2025

@keirFox "The revolution will not be televised."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwSRqaZGsPw

Gil Scott-Heron - Revolution Will Not Be Televised (Official Audio)

http://acerecords.co.uk/the-revolution-begins-the-flying-dutchman-masters#GilScottHeron #RevolutionWillNotBeTelevised #officialaudio #audiovideo #acerecords

YouTube
Show threadunlofl [Promoted Toot]May 25, 2025

@keirFox I have fantasized about living in a small town or commune of burned out/escaped techies.

We'd have a great intranet with useful tools that serve actual human needs, at our fingertips from any public or private terminal, and just block everything else. The only distractions would be silly shit your neighbors are up to. The only legal form of advertising would be a sign on the front of your shop.

Show threadGreglyMay 25, 2025
@keirFox I was just recently thinking about the “death of local”. Main Street mostly died before I was born, but even since then we’ve seen the vast decline of third places, of local newspapers and television, of true connection. Churches have traditionally served this function for the religious, but as societies have become more secular (a good thing, mind you) there hasn’t been much to take their place. (One might argue this is intentional; churches do not want competition.)
Show threadkeirFoxMay 25, 2025
@gregly I have been struggling with starting up a local tinkering group to meet and share creations but one of the challenges of this is that people who have these kinds of hobbies tend to be largely online and don’t actually do the in-person thing.
Show threadGreglyMay 25, 2025
@keirFox I sympathize. There is a local-ish makerspace I have been meaning to attend, but the “you’re just a poser, everyone will think you are weird and annoying” type negative self-talk keeps stopping me.
Show threadkeirFoxMay 25, 2025
@gregly Not at all my experience. I don’t know what makerspaces are like, but places where there are creative nerds have always been wonderfully accepting and enthusiastic.
Show threadGreglyMay 25, 2025
@keirFox Oh, I’m sure! I know my fears are unfounded and unreasonable, but they stem from a bunch of different life events and childhood trauma. Takes a lot to push past them. 😅