Principled? A massive red flag? Simply idiotic?

Great post, and I agree with a lot of your choices.

Firstly, I think principles are incredibly important. If you implement a rule, and the rule leads you to something bad, then you have chosen that rule poorly. However, if it leads to an inconvience and you decide to bear it because you want to stick to your principles, I will think much more highly of you.

I do a little bit of social media, but I keep it limited. I keep in contact with a few close friends, and I use LinkedIn as a way to open doors within my career. I try my utmost to avoid just aimlessly scrolling, as I believe it is terrible for your mental health and attention span.

I also avoid data collection as much as possible, but I'm not super anal about it. A lot of people just don't care and say "they know everything anyway" or "so what if XYZ know that I enjoy this or that?"... This complete carelessness about your own privacy terrifies me frankly - I know it is so easy to give up your data nowadays, but I do believe you will pay the price for it by being subjected to propaganda and moulded in a certain way without even being aware of it.

It's the same with cloud storage. Could Google do a better job than me at securing my data? Certainly, but they're also a much bigger target, and those huge organisations are just as capable of accidentally publishing all sorts of private info belonging to their customers. Just check your email address on https://haveibeenpwned.com/ - yes, these are typically security leaks rather than accidental publishes, but the effect is the same. And again, it means you have to trust these people to manage your data in a way that doesn't violate your privacy. Nothing is stopping them from selling your information to other vendors, or peeking at your documents, or changing the T&Cs and hiking their prices up. One man was flagged to the police because he took a photo of his infant son naked to send to the doctor, and Google Photos incorrectly flagged it as child porn, and got the police involved. Sure, you can talk about how great the safety is and how it's better to have a few false alarms than miss something, but why is Google looking through your photos in the first place? Are you really okay having your privacy breached?

The rest of your points I'm pretty similar on, perhaps except for online shopping, but I feel I've typed enough to get my point across.

Hi Sparkly - good to see you.

With reference to your [point 2], the timing of your decision is interesting to me.  Believe it or not, I was an AVID early adopter of tech, gadgets, computers, software etc........until circa 2004-2006.  Before that date, I was MORE than happy to spend money BUYING things to use, because there was no catch, and it was useful and helpful to me.  I bought it, I owned it, I had control of it = ALL good.

When Google Earth first came out (I first saw it in 2005) I was amazed.........how the hell was that FREE?  The most amazing and coolest computer-based thing that I had ever seen at that moment was Google Earth......but it was free?  Who had paid to get it done?  How could they give it for free? etc.  Then, it started to become impossible to simply "buy" software to use - in standalone form.  This bothered me, and still does.  Basically - if it's free, YOU are the product - is one of my hard to shake mantras.  People generally seem not to mind this.....whereas I do.

I'm deciding whether I should "soften my heart" to some of this stuff, and start becoming a product for consumption.....that is why I started this thread.....to see what the mood of my kin is.

Thanks for posting.

We are so very different Bunny.  Interesting, ain't it ?

1. Choices

I use Instagram a lot, following accounts covering autism, my special interests, favourite actors and actresses (which I find to be a great way to learn about new films or shows that they’re in, and when new series will be released), and light relief. I hardly ever post anything. I use Facebook to keep up to date with groups that interest me, but again hardly ever post. 

I’m OK with data collection, apps, volunteering personal info, signing up to newsletters, etc. I’m OK with interest-based advertising, too, which has introduced me to many products and services that I’ve found helpful, but doubt I’d otherwise have ever known about. And I buy almost everything online.

I was initially wary of cloud-based data storage, but now store everything there. I also sold or gave away all of my CDs in favour of music streaming. On balance, I feel it’s a lot more convenient and safer. But I stick to Apple devices and services, because personal data privacy is one of their core values.

2. Value in sticking to principles

I think we should each do whatever feels best for us and allows us to feel most at peace with our decisions. And I believe that it’s perfectly OK to change those decisions over time, if and when we want to. 

1 Social media - avoid it totally. Only look at X for work reasons but don't have a personalized account

2 Generally avoid it, yes. Have my browser on a high security setting so always get prompted about cookies and always reject all but the essential ones

3 Generally avoid - still use hard drives

4 I quite like apps - still have a childlike wonder that a little picture on my phone can somehow get me onto an aeroplane!

5 Nope. The whole world can do one. Regularly give false dates of birth (will be in trouble if I ever have to remember them!)

6 Only if absolutely necessary

7 I detest shops. Getting stuff online has saved my life (but do it as a 'guest' rather than creating an account)

1. I do have a social media account, but I seldom use it. For as long as I've had it, I have opted to restrict who can view my posts and photos.
2. I try to avoid data collection, but this has only really been within the past 10 to 15 years.
3. I don't store in the cloud either, as I'm not entirely sure that I trust it.
4. As I don't own a smartphone, the use of apps doesn't apply to me.
5. I only provide accurate personal data if it is officially required, or I trust the person (i.e. friend/relative)
6. I don't "sign in" or "sign up" if possible either.
7. I dislike visiting shops. For convenience, I will order items online.

Yes, it's a great word.  I had noted it's definition....but the sound of it.....and the unapologetic humour in it......all fantastic.

Thanks again for the introduction.

Enshitification of the Internet is an actual thing, I first came across the term in a newspaper article, it's about how so much of the internet is comercialised, behind paywalls, the feeling that you can only buy the same dozen items from anywhere in the world and that genuine knowlege is becomeing harder to find.

The latest worry is being spied upon by smart devices, like airfryers and fridges. I find myself asking why would anyone need an airfryer linked to the internet? More importantly who are they reporting too?

This is an interesting sub-thread.

I have recognised this potential addictive trait in myself, and I try to nip things in the bud.

Examples:

• When I dabbled with 'recreational pharmaceuticals', I kept a chart of everything that I took (reading this I see another obvious autistic moment that I've only just recognised as I typed this ). I set an upper limit, and stopped when I hit it (I mean a hard upper limit for life, not a weekly/daily one)
• I have refused to do online multiplayer role playing games. I love computer role playing games and recognised beforehand that if I did any online ones, no one would ever see me again!

You are wise, in my opinion.  Us "addict" types are always better to be cautious of things - whether good or bad!  I don't think I miss out too much on the news that is to be found "in" social media....I do have some people who allow me to peer over their shoulders and ask them dumb questions about their "profiles" or their "feeds" so that keeps me informed on the mechanics of such places.......and I read/listen to A LOT of news from all over the world, from all manner of sources, so I think I'm reasonably well up to date.

The Whatsapp thing is an interesting one for me.  It is the one "platform/communication system" that I am most ridiculed for choosing NOT to be part of.  I can understand why.  Nonetheless, I choose not to particulate and therefore, inevitably, "miss out" to some extent on "shared communications."  To be honest though, I really don't enjoy "shared communications"......which is ironic......because I am typing this in open forum.  I don't like open forum particularly - fullstop!

Emmalephant said:

It’s so nice to talk to people who are actually interested in discussing a topic!

Yes it is.  Thank you for being here.

I appreciate your question! It is a really good one too. It’s a pretty individual process to determine the line between “shaping” and “interfering” so yes, there is no real answer to that. Let me set an example to show what I mean: Social Media usage. I, personally am not willing to give up using WhatsApp because of personal and school-related communication. So my data is already out there. Now, I still refuse to use the big social media platforms, because I principally try to avoid addicting behaviours. The consequences are that I often feel left out since many of my close friends communicate via those channels and oftentimes I don’t know about certain phenomenons or common gossip topics. Those things alone do not affect me, but the social consequences of being left out or deemed “not cool” or “nerdy” do get to me sometimes. 
In this case, I’m still deciding to stick to my principles, because I think that falling into bad habits would affect my executive functioning to a point where it lowers my quality of life. For me personally that would be worse than the current social consequences and I guess, the older I’ll get, the less important it’ll be. 

I know, it’s not always that easy, but shaping (in a positive sense) , for me, always means making the decision that “interferes” less with your day to day life.

I hope I understood your question correctly. It’s so nice to talk to people who are actually interested in discussing a topic!

I Sperg said:

I get zero junk mail, not much spam

Me too.

TheCatWoman said:

I wonder how much sites like You-Tube track what you look at?

I would imagine, to an extent and depth, that is overwhelmingly comprehensive!

TheCatWoman said:

because I live so little of my life online

I think you are wise.

TheCatWoman said:

general enshitification of the internet where people are being pushed into ever more narrow aisles of the same stuff and echo chambers of opinion.

THANK YOU CatWoman......you have taught me a new word that I absolutely adore!  Enshittification.  Priceless and beautiful!

TheCatWoman said:

I think people are already suspicious of those who don't have smartphones and a massive online pressence, I think that's only going to get worse.

Yes - this is one of the reasons why I started this thread.  Redflagism = People immediately thinking that you are shifty or a wrong'un because you don't get involved with social media - and/or talk openly about this stuff.  In my experience, it IS getting worse!

You are lucky to be able to filter things out.

I like people to be driven by their own values, but I fear this is being eroded by what I speak of.

Like you, I have always been "from first principles" thinker and doer.  I think this approach is more common amongst autists.

I do try to get out to real shops occasionally. I like Iceland because they have no music playing in there and the staff are usually friendly and helpful. I also sometimes visit Tesco Express, Boots, Superdrug and Primark. I miss Wilko, it was such a useful shop, and I also miss browsing the clothes in M&S.

I really miss Wilko, I used to get so many bulbs and seeds and other assorted garddening stuff in there. I've got used to no Woolies anymore. Our M&S is mostly a food shop, they only have a few bits and bobs of clothes, mostly undies, the nesrest large on is in llanddudno which is a horrible place to get to and get around in. Nearly all the shops are in enclosed courtyards with a carpark in the middle, they give nothing away from the outside, so for all one knows walking past they could be private property.

I do have some loyalty cards, I gave up using the Morrisons one as they kept giving me vouchers for things I never use, I think Tesco have finally got the idea of what I buy and give me coupons for the things I use, I save all my points until either I'm skint or I've got a houseful of people coming and need to stock up. Mostly though I think they have a good look at what I buy and stop selling it! They must think me incredibly boring though, they don't know I go to different shops and not just them!

I wonder how much sites like You-Tube track what you look at?

I agree.

Wilko's. Wollies and department stores.  I miss those places mate.  If we don't try to use some of the remaining shops, some of the time, then we will loose all of them altogether.  I think this would be bad, but I know that many futuristic people think that they are wasteful and unnecessary premises/service.

Iain.  I have noticed that you have experience and knowledge of these matters, so I value your opinions on this stuff.

You have "personalised" the concern to an individual, but that is certainly not my concern at all.  I have no reservations about somebody knowing EVERYTHING about me.  I am not the paranoid type.  Neither am I the naive type (I hope...although you have schooled me kindly and helpfully before here = who knew that forum design and management was so universally -p-a-t-c-h-y- in its execution.)

My concern centres around very few companies knowing virtually everything about everybody, because that makes us, collectively, very easy to control and manipulate.  This is my sole concern.

I agree that the nominal remaining resistance to the 'principle' of what HAS happened, will die with our generation.....although I do speak to a number of young people who share my concern.