Recently, while digging through old stuff buried in my grandma's basement, I stumbled across an ad for a personal computer in a crumpled old newspaper. It was wrapped around some random trinket, but that little glimpse of retro tech got me thinking about how much the perception of computers has shifted over the last few decades.
It’s not just the obvious transformation from thick-bezeled, beige hunks of plastic that screamed luxury to the ever-present glass-and-metal slabs we carry in our pockets. The real shift has happened in how these devices serve us. And, more importantly, how we’re seen by the companies behind them.
Once upon a time, computers were designed with the user as the priority: personal assistants, tools to improve quality of life, gateways to knowledge. Now? We’re targets, clicks to chase, data to mine, and numbers to pump. Sure, that’s not news, and I won’t rant like the countless others lamenting Google’s quiet ditching of the "Don’t be evil" mantra (Shoshana Zuboff nailed that already). Instead, I want to talk solutions and how we can take back control of the tech that runs our lives.
Own Your Tech Before It Owns You
Everyone has a smartphone these days. Well, almost. (Shoutout to my grandma and her trusty Nokia with T9 still kicking.) But here’s the thing: not everyone owns their smartphone. Sure, you paid for it, but have you truly claimed it as yours?
If you’re the resident techie in your family, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Picture this: you grab your dad’s phone, and it’s chaos: 79 Facebook notifications, 3,114 unread emails, and 47 spam alerts living rent-free in the notification shade. You might roll your eyes, but let’s be real: this mess isn’t their fault. The blame lies in the marketing machine that turned every opt-in prompt into a trap.
How Did We Get Here?
Marketers have perfected the art of making us say "yes" without realizing what we’re agreeing to. Want to save money? Get the best deal? Never miss a flight discount or forget a loved one’s anniversary? Opt-in now, and we’ll take care of it all (oh, and maybe nudge you to click on a few ads while we’re at it). It’s the illusion of choice wrapped in irresistible language and most people don’t stand a chance.
Silence the Noise
Here’s the truth: the first thing you should do when setting up a new device, or even revamping an old one, is to opt-out. Ruthlessly. Unsubscribe, declutter, and take back your peace of mind. Notifications, newsletters, and push alerts are designed to demand your attention, but you don’t owe them anything.
I’ve made it a habit to go the extra mile: I block unnecessary notifications, automate deleting junk emails, and fine-tune my apps to respect my time. And let me tell you, it feels good. The quiet, the focus, the freedom to stay in the zone without a random ding pulling you out of your flow. That’s the power of harnessing your tech.
Why It Matters
Back in the day, we had granular notification categories, allowing us to filter what actually mattered. But as the system became bloated, those categories turned into a dumpster fire of ads, clickbait, and meaningless distractions. Now, reclaiming your focus requires work.
And yeah, it’s not lost on me that this might sound a bit entitled coming from a 28-year-old. But I’ve learned to value my time. Every second spent wading through garbage notifications is time I can’t get back. And while I can’t undo the data I’ve already handed over (thanks, social media), I can fight against wasting my time on pointless ads and SEO-optimized fluff.
Stop Clicking the Clickbait
Here’s my ask: for the sake of all of us, stop giving in to clickbait. Unsubscribe from the noise, declutter your tech, and reclaim your time. Because the real power of technology lies in your ability to control it, not the other way around.
So, what are you waiting for? Take a breath, grab your phone, and start harnessing your tech. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.