Cutting out the middle man does not involve technologically regressing.

Cutting out the middle man means stepping up and learning how the tech you use in your daily lives actually works. The only reason some tech bro can step in and ruin your life is if you let them keep you ignorant through convenience.

You want to cut out the middle man? Use, and support, open source. Fight to make everything that requires a server, be a server that you own in your own home (or is federated and in your local community). Use, and support, repairable technology... And actually repair your technology!

Too bad they crushed all the old cars

Pre computerized cars is going to be pretty hard. We'll run out of old beaters eventually.

Sure, why not?

Fast forward a couple of months:

• you lost contacts with 95% of your contacts you used to hear through apps. Last time you met a group of friends was when you randomly met them in a restaurant having a dinner together. "We invited you but you didn't reply". The 5% still calling you wants your money.

• your bank started charging an extra fee because you did not object when they notified a change in the contract via email. You missed a notification from the tax office and now you have to pay a small fine.

• your car cannot circulate anymore because you live in Europe and cities may ban old polluting engines.

• you read less because it started to be expensive to buy all those magazines. On the flip side you are more fit because you have to walk 2km to reach a place that sells them.

Cut out Spotify for Navidrome

Cut out Netflix for Jellyfin

Keep it all secure and accessible with Wireguard

All of the above solutions are free.

Run all of the above in docker on any old laptop. An llm can provide instructions.