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Governments struggle to keep pace with innovation, while the public is lulled by convenience, novelty and algorithmic dopamine. Yet all is not lost. The seeds of resistance are already being sown. Decentralized technology From Mastodon to Signal, from Linux to blockchain-based DAOs, decentralized and opensource alternatives offer an infrastructure where power can be distributed, not concentrated. They’ re not perfect, but they reject the logic of extraction and control..
Worker and user cooperatives Imagine a platform like Uber, but owned by its drivers. Or a social network where users vote on policy, not just content. These models already exist in early forms and represent a blueprint for digital democracy- where participation equals power.
Digital literacy and mass awarenes Real resistance starts with understanding the system. The more people recognize the costs of“ free” platforms, the better positioned we are to demand better alternatives. Movements for data rights, ethical AI and platform accountability are growing, and public pressure is forcing some companies to think twice.
The feudal age of technology is not inevitable, but it is accelerating. If we allow power to consolidate unchecked, we could soon find ourselves subjects, not citizens, in a world governed by a code we didn’ t write and rules we didn’ t choose. The question is not just what will happen if this trend worsens. The question is: what are we doing to stop it?
Flashmag! Issue 159 April 2025
Hubert Marlin Elingui Jr. Journalist
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