All posts by Mark Jacobsen

Communication is Key

Now that we’ve discussed E2EE and FOSS, let’s start with probably the most important thing you want E2E Encrypted… your communication!

Did you know that most text messages sent from your phone or chat/IM messages sent through social media companies can be seen, read, or processed in a number of ways?

How gross is that??

Very!

So what to do? Use an end to end encrypted messaging service like Signal. Signal is cross platform (no blue/green bubble shaming) so works on iOS and Android, but also has desktop apps that work on Windows, Mac, and Linux! Add in rich media (photo/video support) as well as calling (including video calling), and you shouldn’t need any other communication tool (other than email – which we’ll get to)

Note: Please don’t be fooled by the titans saying they have E2EE too. It may be “technically” true, but usually there are manual steps or other “gotchas” involved, and often the titan has a copy of the key to read your messages. Save yourself the research and just use Signal.

Think Apple’s iMessage is special? Think again.

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself.

On E2EE and FOSS

Building on yesterday’s rant about Sellouts and Hypocrites, one of the 1st things you need to understand in order to extract yourself from the tech titans are the concepts of:

End to End Encryption (E2EE)

With E2EE you own your data. Not the software creator. They just own or maintain the software that makes it possible for you to work with your data. Here’s a good primer if you’re really interested, but the point is E2EE is what keeps the titan (FB, X, Goog, etc) from reading/using your data. Believe it or not, there are E2EE services for just about anything.

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)

FOSS (aka FLOSS) takes things one step further to prevent vendor lock-in from any 1 titan. This is usually enhanced by the FOSS taking advantage of a protocol. The web and email are two of the best examples of what FOSS has enabled. With a little bit of know how anyone can run a website and send or receive email without being forced through a single provider (be it Gmail, Outlook.com, etc). There are even FOSS social media networks!

In Summary

Yes, I know these are overly simplified descriptions, but the point isn’t to get dragged into holy wars over the pedantic differences between FOSS and FLOSS, or encryption at rest vs in transit… it’s to understand what you’re looking for and, more importantly, why!

One last point before I go… Not all FOSS includes E2EE, nor does E2EE mean the software is FOSS (we software developers have to make a living after all). No one ever said freedom comes free.

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself.

Sellouts and Hypocrites

Well, if you look at which sellouts and hypocrites were at the felon’s coronation it is obvious we’re surrounded by them, and that’s just part of why you’re reading this here. If you feel the same way I suggest you start extracting yourself from the clutches of the oligarchs. But how?…

We’ll start with the basics and delve into some specifics in future posts, but in summary… STOP SUPPORTING THE TITANS.

And supporting means using their services or buying anything from them.

Don’t be a “user”.

You’re just being “used”.

You want to keep your account for periodic check ins while you extract yourself or to spread the word that others should get out too? Go for it. Hell, I haven’t figured out how to extract myself from all of them yet.

But if you’re with me I’d encourage you to follow along and share any tips you have!

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself.

YGTBFKM Unconditional Discharge

So apparently conviction and breaking the law don’t mean shit anymore. Not even a fine. What an absolute fucking joke.

[Trump] will be released without fine, imprisonment or probation supervision for his conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

Absolute bull shit.

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself.

But yeah… the billionaires keeping their money is more important

Right? I mean that’s why we elected a billionaire who will let billionaires keep more of their billions… attempt to cut a massive portion of federal government jobs (you realize that means unemployed and likely a decent amount of welfare? Oh wait they’re just lazy but the billionaires… now, they’re just like you!).

Anyway, just another example as reported in todays Morning Brew

TurboTax finding you an extra 12 bucks each year is pretty chill, but perhaps not as chill as saving $8 billion on your taxes via an intricate network of ungovernable loopholes. According to a New York Times analysis, that is roughly how much Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, the US’ 10th-richest person, will save on his estate taxes by routing his wealth through a series of trusts and foundations.

Huang’s estate is technically supposed to pay 40% of his ~$127 billion net worth to the government, as per the estate tax law that dates back to the early 20th century, when the US realized it needed to keep dynastic wealth in check. But in recent years, the estate tax has become more of a suggestion and less of a rule as lawyers grow increasingly cunning about how to safeguard their clients’ riches and the budget-depleted IRS becomes powerless to enforce the law. A proper enforcement would have saved the government $120 billion last year, which the New York Times notes could more than triple the federal funding for cancer and Alzheimer’s research.—AE

Let’s just reiterate that last part, “could more than triple the federal funding for cancer and Alzheimer’s research.”… but yeah 🙄🤬

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself.

How to Stop Living for Other People (ft. Ben Nemtin)

Check out this article: How to Stop Living for Other People (ft. Ben Nemtin)

Note: Since this is an automatically created post there is no commentary on it other than any minimal notes I may have included. Read it and do your own critical thinking. I may get around to adding some/more of my own thoughts or categorizing it… but maybe not. Should the article be behind a paywall let me know and I will figure out a way to get it to you.Please remember to subscribe to the newsletter or feed to stay up to date!

Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself.

Sorry for the Delayed Response

Check out this article: Sorry for the Delayed Response

Brilliant!

Note: Since this is an automatically created post there is no commentary on it other than any minimal notes I may have included. Read it and do your own critical thinking. I may get around to adding some/more of my own thoughts or categorizing it… but maybe not. Should the article be behind a paywall let me know and I will figure out a way to get it to you.Please remember to subscribe to the newsletter or feed to stay up to date!

Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself.

I hate this country

How stupid can people be? Oh, this is…

Does nobody remember, or just not care about:

  • Jan 6
  • Felon
  • Liar
  • Cheater
  • “Grab them by the pussy”

Not to mention endangering women’s lives with the overturning of Roe v Wade, really not being all there mentally (sorry, there should be a max age for a president – I’m including Biden), and just being a narcissistic asshole.

I seriously have no idea how any man with a daughter, nor how any woman could vote for the pig. And speaking of women… why is it that women seem to hate other women so much? Aside from all the other things wrong with this it just perpetuates the myth that women can’t lead. How is it that an entire sex couldn’t stand up for one of their own and make this no contest?

Does “the little guy” sitting out in BFE or even suburbia think this asshole really cares about them, or is anything like them? Or is it just that the “tuff guy” turns you on?

Or maybe, you “just didn’t like either of them” so you did a “protest vote”. Well great f’n job because what you really did was vote for Mr T you spineless sack. I honestly don’t love Harris all that much, but at least I understand the consequences of being an idiot.

And if I honestly ever hear someone that voted for this POS talk about “law and order” 🤬

It’s just a sad, sad day and I fear what’s to come for anyone that dares cross this POS the morons of this country elected.

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Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself.

How to Beat Distraction and Still Enjoy Life (ft. Nir Eyal)

Check out this article: How to Beat Distraction and Still Enjoy Life (ft. Nir Eyal)

Note: Since this is an automatically created post there is no commentary on it other than any minimal notes I may have included. Read it and do your own critical thinking. I may get around to adding some/more of my own thoughts or categorizing it… but maybe not. Should the article be behind a paywall let me know and I will figure out a way to get it to you.Please remember to subscribe to the newsletter or feed to stay up to date!

Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself.

Ok, but who should you pick?

Check out this article: Ok, but who should you pick?

Stop it with the “we’re not naming names”. I’m so sick of companies pulling that shit because they’re worried about DT retaliating. The man is unhinged, and a terrible person. It sickens me that even close to 1/2 of the country sees no problem with the ugly, petty, vindictive, divisive, dangerous platform he represents.

Note: Since this is an automatically created post there is no commentary on it other than any minimal notes I may have included. Read it and do your own critical thinking. I may get around to adding some/more of my own thoughts or categorizing it… but maybe not. Should the article be behind a paywall let me know and I will figure out a way to get it to you.Please remember to subscribe to the newsletter or feed to stay up to date!

Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself.