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diff --git a/self-host.html b/self-host.html index 990386c..1808ed8 100644 --- a/self-host.html +++ b/self-host.html @@ -12,84 +12,100 @@ <h1>Why do I <a href="https://wiki.r-selfhosted.com/getting-started/what-is-self-hosting/">self-host</a>?</h1> <h2>Digital freedom/independence</h2> - <p>To put it simply, I do not want to depend on the existence of corp. X for data that is important to me. - Many things could happen to corp. X such that your data could become inaccessible or worse: + <p> + To put it simply, if you use another service to store your data, <em>you do not own it</em>. + You are <em>trusting</em> corp. X to store it, secure it, and make it accessible to you. + Beyond the obvious privacy pitfalls with this <em>trust</em>, there are many other things that + could go wrong with your data being stored this way: <ul> - <li>Corp. X could vanish/close/"declare backruptcy" (as with many cryto corps. lately).</li> - <li>Corp. X could make a policy change and lock you out.</li> - <li>You could forget to pay the bills a few times and get locked out.</li> - <li>Corp. X could get hacked, and ransomed for data. This is the new fad!</li> + <li>Corp. X could vanish/close/"declare bankruptcy" (as with many crypto corps. lately), and you lose your data. + </li> + <li>Corp. X could make a policy change and lock you out from accessing your account.</li> + <li>Or you could "forget" to pay the bills a few times and get locked out.</li> + <li>Corp. X could get hacked, and your data gets stolen. This is the latest trend!</li> </ul> - I have a lifetime's worth of file, photos, media, passwords etc. and I 💤 much better at night knowing - I am avoiding most if not all of the risks above. + </p> + <p> + Personally, I don't feel comfortable depending on the existence of corp. X <em>for data that is important to + me</em>. + I have a lifetime's worth of files, photos, media, passwords etc. and I 💤 much better at night knowing + I am avoiding most if not all of the risks above. </p> <h2 id="privacy">Privacy at the population level</h2> - <p>I am often asked some variation of: + + <p>Normies often ask me some variation of: <ul> <li> - <em>"Why do I care if corp. X has my data? I have nothing to hide!"</em> + <em>"Why do I care if corp. X has my data? I have nothing to hide!"</em> </li> <li> - <em>"Since I'm aware of targeted advertising, it won't work on me, - so why should I care if corp. X has my data?"</em> + <em>"Since I'm aware of targeted advertising, it won't work on me, + so why should I care if corp. X has my data?"</em> </li> - </ul> </p> + <dl> <dt> - To such questions, I would pose the counter question: + To such questions, I respond with the following question: </dt> <br> <dd> - <strong> Do we have a moral responsibily to ensure we leave the world in a better state than we inherit, - or the very least, not in a worse state?</strong> + <strong>Do you want to contribute to a dystopian (<a + href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orwellian">Orwellian</a>) future?</strong> </dd> </dl> <p> - If your answer is <em>no</em>, then no need to read further, the following will not change your mind. + If your answer is <em>yes</em>, then no need to read further, the following will not change your mind. </p> <dl> <dt> - If your answer is <em>yes</em>, but you aren't convinced that these are related, + If your answer is <em>no</em>, but you aren't convinced that/how these are related, then the <em>argument goes something like this...</em> </dt> <br> <dd> - We live in a world of mass data collection/survailence. <br> - This enables corp. X to use ML (Machine Learning) techniques to build/train AI (Artificial Intelligence) - models that aim to predict human behaviour. <br> - That in and of itself is not my cause for concern here. <br> + We live in a world of mass data-collection/surveillance. <br> + This enables corp. X to use techniques such as ML (Machine Learning) to build/train models (or "AI" - + Artificial Intelligence) + that aim to predict human behaviour. <br> + That by itself is not a problem here. <br> The problems arise when corp. X use these techniques for profit - without regard for the harm they cause at a <em>population level</em> (intentionally or not). <br> - I have unfortunately lived through enough of these cases to be able to cite a few recent examples of this: + without regard for the harm they cause at a <em>population level</em>. <br> + I have unfortunately lived through enough of these cases to be able to cite a few recent examples: </dd> <br> <dd> Instagram (etc.) designs its apps/products based on user behaviour data - to keep its userbase on its platform for as long as possible [0]. - You might think you are "too smart" to fall for these tricks, and you may be right, - but what about the millions of boys, and girls who aren't as wise as you? - Do they deserve to suffer from mental health, body image, confidence issues for the rest of their lives? + to keep its user-base on its platform for as long as possible [0]. + You might think you are "too smart" to fall for these tricks, and you might be right, + but what about the millions of adolescents using these platforms who aren't as wise as you? + The data they collect, and techniques they develop from <em>your usage</em> enables platforms + to target not just your, but <em>all</em> users on the platform, including the most vulnerable. + <br> + Unfortunately, many of these kids will end up suffering from mental-health, + body-image, self-esteem issues, and for some it <strong>will be fatal</strong>. + I do not think this is morally acceptable, and is primary reason I refuse + to participate in social-media platforms. </dd> <br> <dd> - You could say "well thats due to bad parenting", but the point remains that + You could say "well that's due to bad parenting", but the point remains that more and more of the digital world is having <em>real world</em> negative consequences regardless of your individual participation level. For example: </dd> <br> <dd> - It is well documented that Facebook's (etc.) targetted advertising - played a significant a role in the 2016 US elections [1]. + By now, it is well known that Facebook's (etc.) targeted advertising + played a significant a role in the 2016 US Elections [1]. Many of the policies implemented during this time has real world consequences to millions - of people potentially for many generations. + of people, and will continue for many generations. <em>This affects us all.</em> - Even if we don't have/use Facebook, we (most of us) cannot <em>opt out</em> of policy changes. + Even if we don't have/use Facebook, we (most of us) cannot <em>opt-out</em> of policy changes. </dd> </dl> @@ -97,7 +113,6 @@ To summarize, it might not be a problem if individuals disregard their privacy at the individual level, but in aggregate, a <em>population-wide</em> disregard has dystopian consequences. - (This is also the primary reason I refuse to participate in social media.) </p> <dl> @@ -106,19 +121,13 @@ </dt> <br> <dd> - <strong>Do I want to contribute to a dystopian (<a - href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orwellian">Orwellian</a>) future?</strong> + <strong>What can I do?</strong> </dd> </dl> <p> - If your answer is <em>yes</em>, then continue to live as you are. - </p> - - <p> - If your answer is <em>no</em>, than we must put an end to mass data-collection by - not voluntarily giving our data to corp. X, and finally acknowledging the value of our privacy. - Fortunately, there are a few ways you can <em>say no!</em> + Start by <strong>valuing your privacy</strong>. + Next, you can follow some of the tips below to <em>say no!</em> <ul> <li> <strong>Limit your exposure to these services.</strong> If a friend stops talking to you because @@ -137,6 +146,12 @@ as a starting point and try to search (Ctrl+f) for your service. For eg. Twitter, and Instagram both have popular options available. </li> + <li> + Check out my list of tools and programs I use. Not for normies. + </li> + <li> + Support govts policies that respect user-privacy. + </li> </ul> </p> |