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THE REALISTS Blog

Understanding and Resisting Big Tech

Dozens of articles shedding information on Big Tech, surveillance capitalism and the dark side of online advertising.

Digital Literacy

How to guides about how to use technology more mindfully – and not be used by it.

Modern Day Narcissus - artwork by Dan CretuLongread

The envy of others?

Are we naturally inclined to seek the envy of others? Are online platforms designed to put us in competition against one another? Which came first: the chicken or the egg?
E.R.
May 10, 2023

Our Most Popular Posts

Cal Newport on social media
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Video: Cal Newport on why you should quit social media

A Channel 4 interview with internet pioneer Jaron Lanier, author of "Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now"
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The Real Reason Why Instagram Is Hiding “Like” Counts

I believe the real reason has to do with surveillance capitalism: extracting more precious user data and increasing the time spent on the platform.
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Quote: Tech Billionaire Parenting

"Melinda Gates's children don't have smartphones and only use a computer in the kitchen. Her husband Bill spends hours in his office reading books while everyone else is refreshing their…