Fighting the tech bros by thinking smaller

Hello again, dear reader.

In case you're new here, I'm Alastair Johnston and you're receiving this newsletter because you subscribed over at my blog or via a link from Substack. I'm grateful for you giving me some of your time and attention and hope I always inform or entertain you here. If not, please feel free to unsubscribe, I won't be offended.

As soon as I clicked "‘open account' the screen changed. For a split second I saw "Welcome to Facebook". Seconds later the screen refreshed, another page opened. "Your account has been suspended". I was told it would be deleted permanently in 60 days. I could dispute this if I clicked on this link...

…which told me to upload a full video scan of my face, from all sides for ID.

I felt very slightly sick. (OK to be really honest, I felt slightly sick after verbally saying “Oh Fuck Off Zuckerberg!!” ) Apologies for the cursing, but it’s the truth.

After a pause, I did the only thing that felt correct. I told my work colleague that I would not be able to sign up and manage the work account. This "ID" was a step much too far into the machine. I would not play this stupid Facebook game.

I should have stuck to my guns. I've been off Facebook for a few years now and never missed it. I even recently closed my Instagram account. I was done with it all. But I'd thought that perhaps using just a work account to manage a page would be OK. My mistake.

This isn't about stopping fake accounts. This isn't about making Facebook a safer place. This is what happens when you look into the eye of Sauron directly. It wants you. It wants every bit and byte of my data, my life, to sell and monetise and misuse.

A few days earlier Elon Musk waded into the scene. Criticising UK court decisions, courting the far right in Germany, offering money to UKIP. Meddling like a spoilt over privileged frat kid.

Zuckerberg bent the knee. Offered piles of cash to a convicted criminal, and said he'd reduce the fact checking on his empire. Under Bezos' ownership the Washington Post censored a critical cartoon.

Jimmy Carter passed away. A man full of dignity who strived to use his position to make things better for the ordinary citizen. A man with grace, faith and morals. The next US President in waiting snarled about taking Greenland and renaming the Gulf of Mexico…

This last week or so has felt very dystopian. I've tried to be stoical, tried not to get angry or upset, but failed. It all felt too much.

But then I thought about a few other events that took place recently.

My wife losing her mobile phone, only for it to be picked up by a neighbour. A neighbour who speaks poor english and travels miles on public transport to work hard all day suporting his growing family. When he returned it and I offered a reward, he point blank refused.

Running in the park with my son in the snow that has arrived here. Smiling to locals, who all smiled back and said hello, even the ones battered by years of poverty, poor diet and often substance issues.

Thinking of buying a new paper shredder to replace an existing knackered one, only to pop into the nearby British Heart Foundation charity shop to find the same model that sells for £40, available used but immaculate with a 12 month warranty for a mere £5!

One of the things I am looking to do more this year is to be more local. To shop and do more in my lovely community over here in Liverpool. To buy more local, to buy more used. To do more small good things in the place that I call home. To have an impact in the small ways, to do small things. because maybe these small things will build and grow and help others to do the same.

I'm not going to get distressed at the state of foreign affairs. I may say my piece and be honest of how I feel, but I can't change those things. But I can try to do the right thing and the good thing over here where I am with the people I meet.

• Do more local.

• Read more books, preferably paper, if possible bought second hand, if bought new bought from local businesses.

• Be more present

• Create and feel more joy

• Reduce online and increase offline

That’s it for now.

Be kind and live well!

Comments? Insights? Join the discussion or email me.

P.S. This newsletter is free to all. But if you enjoy it or would you’d like to support my work both here and on my blog, there are a number of ways you can help me.

1. You can become a patron with a paid subscription. I have paused paid subscriptions for a short while - more details explaining things soon.

2. You can buy me a coffee/beer

3. You can leave a like by clicking the ❤️ below. It really helps more people find my work.

4. You can spread the love by sharing this newsletter with a friend who might enjoy it.