By SekhmetDesignLots of random thoughts and updates in this month of February. I don’t know if it’s the weather outside (currently going through another snowstorm in a week) that is making me nostalgic these days, but a lot of my thoughts went back into my memories. I feel reflective a lot. Reading Joan Westenberg text, “I miss the Internet” made me nostalgic of that late 1990s/early 2000s Internet era. I miss that time a lot, even if it was a damn Far West sometimes…
IndieWeb
I’ve been diving deep into the IndieWeb sphere over the last two weeks, transforming my blog with IndieWeb add-ons to integrate with their feeds and community interactions. What I’ve discovered has blown me away: the IndieWeb scene is vastly more extensive than I initially imagined, and that discovery fills me with happiness. As a counter-culture to today’s commercialized/corporate Web, it’s like finding an oasis of authenticity. I’m loving it.
I find myself losing track of time exploring the IndieWeb circles, absorbing thoughtful blog posts from individuals scattered across the globe. The experience is truly fascinating, evoking memories of my teenage years when I first ventured onto the Internet – that pure excitement of encountering new perspectives and ways of life…oh, how I missed that feeling!
There’s something deeply satisfying about expanding my RSS reader with these newly discovered bloggers. I’m immersing myself in their daily musings and insights, engaging with their thoughts and preoccupations. The whole experience has rekindled memories of the vibrant Montreal blogosphere from the mid-2000s, where monthly meetups brought together a lively community together. Ohhhhh how I miss that period! SO yes, the IndieWeb movement has reignited that same spark of connection and discovery: surfing these independent corners of the web has brought back a euphoria I thought was lost to a bygone era – a feeling I didn’t realize how much I missed until I found it again.
A couple of interesting links to discover new blogs:
De-bigTech-ify my digital life
The 2024 Presidential Inauguration was my tipping point. Watching Big Tech CEOs kowtow to what I saw as authoritarian tendencies made me realize it was time for a change in my digital life. While my individual actions might seem small in the grand scheme of things, I decided to align my digital life with my values rather than continue supporting companies that appeared to embrace authoritarianism and fascism. And like Laure Waridel said like 20 years ago, “Acheter, c’est voter.“. So I am making sure my money goes where my values stand by.
As an early Android and Google enthusiast, I believed in their “Don’t be evil” motto. Like many in tech during the early 2000s, I was inspired by the promise of technology making the world better. However, recent developments—from aggressive AI implementation to concerning political alignments—pushed me to seek alternatives.
My Digital Migration: so far
Email and Storage: I invested (last year) in a two-year Proton subscription, moving my emails, calendars, password management, and cloud storage to their platform. While I’ve noted some recent concerning statements from Proton’s leadership, their non-profit status and strong board oversight provide some reassurance – for now. I’m staying vigilant and open to alternatives if needed. This article kept me calm: for the moment, I’ll keep a close eye on the situation.
Browser Choice: Firefox has become my primary browser, though it’s not without issues. Their quiet implementation of AI features (Orbit) was disappointing, but their independence from Big Tech and strong extension support make them the best current alternative.
Search engines: I’ve been a fan of DuckDuckGo for so long. Since the enshittification of the Google Search page results, I’ve decided to switch my search engine and test new ones. For now, I’m also testing Kagi.com, which is nice so far. I alternate between DuckDuckGo and Kagi.
Social Media Evolution: The decentralized social media landscape has been a revelation. Mastodon, Bluesky, and Pixelfed have proven to be engaging alternatives to traditional platforms, offering genuine community interaction without the overwhelming advertising and AI-generated content that now dominates Facebook, Instagram, and X. Threads occupies a middle ground—despite Meta ownership, the communities I’ve found there remain valuable. I’ve largely abandoned Twitter/X and minimized my use of other Meta platforms due to their declining signal-to-noise ratio. This journey has made me more mindful of my digital consumption, especially given the prevalence of disinformation and trolling. While perfect solutions don’t exist, taking steps toward digital independence feels like a meaningful stance against the growing concerns about Big Tech’s influence on our society.
On my life these days
This month has brought a welcome surge in social activities after January’s quiet. Between catching up with old friends, attending tech meetups, and enjoying live performances, my calendar has been pleasantly full. I’ve particularly enjoyed making new connections at industry events, which have added fresh perspectives to my professional network.
The upcoming Nuit Blanche presents a dilemma. While the all-night arts festival promises unique experiences, braving February’s freezing temperatures with my teenage daughter requires careful consideration. The potential for memorable mother-daughter moments weighs against the reality of Montreal’s winter chill. Not sure yet of our decision over attending the events or not…
The current political turbulence south of the border has cast a long shadow over Canada these days, and I find myself grappling with a deep sense of fatigue. While the United States’ influence on Canadian society is undeniable, I’ve chosen to channel my concerns into meaningful action rather than despair. As a proud Quebecer, I’m strengthening my commitment to our distinct cultural identity. This means deliberately directing my purchasing power toward Canadian and First Nations businesses, fostering our local economy and indigenous communities. Beyond economic choices, I’m focusing on personal resilience – both mental and physical. The possibility of Quebec and Canada’s political landscape evolving significantly in the coming year requires preparation in case of shit happening. While the future remains uncertain, I believe in staying ready to stand up for our values and sovereignty. We’ll see how it goes in the future…
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