Jan 28, 2024
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I think people forget a lot of the times that I am completely doing this by myself.
I do not have help on the internet. I am able to use the internet independently, and I have been since I was a little kid. Does that mean I wouldn’t benefit from help on the internet? No, I would greatly benefit from someone helping me write my blog posts and chat online. However, I don’t have that. And it’s a privilege for me.
I am extremely privileged to be able to express myself in a way that makes sense to people and be able to do it independently. Using the internet is sooo hard, and I struggle with it everyday, but it is so worth it. The community I’ve joined, the people I’ve met, the things I’ve done. It’s amazing.
If you’re able to use the internet independently then go you! But it’s a privilege to do so! So many of my higher support needs friends can’t use it fully independent, and I see that. I see them. I hear them.
People don’t understand that the majority of higher support needs people can’t use the internet. There is a small percentage of us who can, and even though we can, we often have lower support needs than the people who can’t.
Using the internet opens your world up to so much and I think people forget that. People forget that the world is opened up for you. That it is a place where you can learn, you can see so much. I’m glad I have access to the internet. But I don’t forget those that can’t. And I hope one day it’s more accessible and caregivers realize the importance more to those who can’t, so one day they maybe can.
Ok one more because I’m SO curious now.
What was your first social media?
MySpace
Tumblr
YouTube
Snapchat
Other (comment)
Mine was YouTube, back in around 2012. But I only used it to subscribe to like 3 people. Then it was Instagram in 2014.
maybe it’s not the best idea to share this, but i don’t see anyone else doing it, and that makes me frustrated, so here we go.
Preparing for if the Restrict Act Passes
(and general tips on withdrawing your internet presence and usage)
• download important/sensitive data onto thumb drives.
• download videos that provide important resources on certain subjects (lists of information, recipes, guides. an example would be a video on tips for ethical consumption).
• burn cds of certain songs, audiobooks, and various audio media that could be at risk of being banned.
• print out online written media, such as books, pamphlets, articles, even fanfiction.
• stock up on memory cards, batteries, and tapes for digital cameras and camcorders (if you don’t have one but want one for cheap, check your local thrift!).
• look into changing payment methods, if possible — my work allows me to choose between remote deposit and check payments. i’ll be switching over to check payments soon. i will be using Apple Pay less.
• boot alexa out the door. google home, ring cameras, etc. i might even replace my phone-controlled lightbulbs, honestly.
• unplug all devices that can access the internet when they are not being used — gaming systems, desktops, tvs.
• online friends may need to part ways to a degree. no platform will be inaccessible through the permissions this bill allows.
• check out the local DSA chapter, community clubs, or unions. mutual aid will be vital. look for community within the immediate area.
• take advantage of all libraries have to offer, from printing services and books to computers and programs.
• delete old, unused accounts.
• re-evaluate all online current services, apps, subscriptions, and sites.
• if the bill passes, all past internet activity may likely be accessible as well. just something to keep in mind regarding usage currently.
some of these things are likely overly alarmist, but a lot of them everyone should do regardless of if this bill passes. those of us with more radical beliefs will have to be cautionary no matter what. i’ve been wanting to put my internet presence and usage in check for a while now, and these are the steps i’ll likely be taking in the near future to protect my personal information and privacy. i don’t care if the chances of anything happening are slim, it’s better to be safe than sorry. not enough people are realizing this bill could block access to anything the us gov decides is a threat not only to national security, but also to Meta. this means discord, tumblr, twitch, reddit, anything.
for now, for my moots and followers— i will still be posting here and elsewhere until stated otherwise.
A survey finds that the vast majority of adults (90%) say the internet has been essential or important to them during the pandemic. Many made video calls to stay connected with loved ones and 40% used technology in new ways. But while technology was a lifeline for some, others faced struggles such as "Zoom fatigue" and worries about paying the bill for at home internet connection.
Read more: The Internet and the Pandemic
What did you do today to look after yourself?
Staying hydrated, eating more food and more regularly, cooking food for myself versus eating something easy but not very healthy, taking some small steps to get back into my creative interests. Oh and most importantly spending way less time on my phone, turns out that might not be very healthy for me lol
I just got a notification saying I'd used up half of my monthly data allowance and freaked out because my data literally just clocked over, but the message was from 10 minutes before it clocked over to this month.
Also... I dyed my hair pink. Yay.
HaloFollower does a really good job on explaining reason why we should keep net neutrality. If you want more info on it, here’s the video.
Please help us keep net neutrality, without it, we're basically fucked.