@ernie I've been finding myself in this guy's position IRL recently, which is not something I've ever done before. In general, I'm not a confrontational person, and really hate telling people what to do.

Why do I find myself here then? It's because, out of so many things individual people really can't change, choosing to opt out of big tech is one we actually can. And seeing people choosing to keep supporting those platforms is really, really hard.

@alisynthesis when I was in high school I went vegetarian. I thought I might get other people to join me. Instead, people tolerated my rice milk and couscous.

If I forced them to eat that stuff, though, they likely would have been upset. But if I found a way to make it appealing on their terms I might have had a better shot.

This has to be a more subtle conversation. I feel pointing out to people that Google used to give you a better experience is a more effective way of doing it.

@ernie I totally agree. I'm trying to learn to be patient when I talk with people about it, and to focus on my own experience instead of criticizing theirs.

A friend and I were talking about this very thing recently, and after pointing out how integrated these services are into people's lives and identities, she said:

> Lifestyles aren't created overnight, nor can they change overnight - especially if those changes take away a sense of enjoyment and ease.