consumer Archives - Friend Michael https://friendmichael.com/Tags/consumer Father, husband, geek, entrepreneur, creator. Mon, 30 Dec 2024 13:45:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 Through the Lens of Truth: Documentaries That Demand Action on Privacy, Power, and Consumerism https://friendmichael.com/Blog/through-the-lens-of-truth-documentaries-that-demand-action-on-privacy-power-and-consumerism.html Mon, 30 Dec 2024 13:45:52 +0000 https://friendmichael.com/?p=1114 Documentaries like The Great Hack, Citizenfour, and Risk have become essential viewing. They shine a light on the hidden forces influencing our lives—whether it’s the exploitation of personal information, the courage of whistleblowers, or the ethical dilemmas of mass surveillance. These films, along with others like Terms and Conditions May Apply and Buy Now, don’t just tell stories; they challenge us to question the systems we’ve come to accept. This evolving list will serve as a resource to explore the critical issues of privacy, transparency, and consumerism, highlighting films that provoke thought and inspire action in our ever-connected world.

The Great Hack

A wake-up call, urging us to scrutinize how our personal information is collected and used. It’s a reminder that in the quest for convenience and connectivity, we must remain vigilant about safeguarding our privacy. https://www.netflix.com/title/80117542https://www.netflix.com/title/80117542

Citizenfour

Both a chilling exposé of mass surveillance and a powerful testament to the courage it takes to challenge systemic abuses of power. It’s a must-watch for anyone concerned about privacy and the balance between security and freedom. https://www.amazon.com/Citizenfour-Edward-Snowden/dp/B0CPGXHSX9/

Risk

A documentary by the Academy Award-winning filmmaker Laura Poitras (Citizenfour). Spanning six years, this raw and intimate film offers an unfiltered look at the man behind WikiLeaks, the ethical dilemmas he faces, and the global stakes of his mission to expose the truth. As the world grapples with issues of transparency, power, and freedom, Risk pulls back the curtain on the personal and political battles that define one of the most polarizing figures of our time. https://www.paramountplus.com/movies/video/ihqBAog_JYddMJ8_R9QW_R0z82VJuAR4/

Terms and Conditions May Apply

Do you read the Terms and Conditions connected to every website you visit or app you use? This film reveals what corporations/governments are legally taking from you and the consequences of clicking “I accept.” https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.5cb65817-d16a-e3a5-d94c-c24d1b93fa7a

Buy Now

A 2024 documentary that exposes the manipulative tactics employed by major corporations to drive consumerism, often at the expense of environmental sustainability. Directed by Nic Stacey, the film features insights from industry insiders and whistleblowers, revealing how companies design products for obsolescence and utilize persuasive marketing strategies to encourage continuous purchasing. The documentary also highlights the environmental consequences of overconsumption, such as the accumulation of electronic waste and pollution in developing countries. By shedding light on these practices, Buy Now encourages viewers to critically assess their consumption habits and the broader impact on the planet. https://www.netflix.com/title/81554996

]]> Your Data Deserves a Biometric-Safe Level of Security https://friendmichael.com/Blog/your-data-deserves-a-biometric-safe-level-of-security.html Sat, 30 Nov 2024 20:19:00 +0000 https://friendmichael.com/?p=961 Imagine locking away your most valuable possessions—heirlooms, cash, documents—in a biometric safe. Why? Because they’re irreplaceable, and keeping them protected is non-negotiable. Now, consider this: your personal data is just as valuable, if not more. It’s the key to your habits, interests, decisions, and even your future actions. In the wrong hands, it’s a weapon that can be used to shape your feed, influence your behavior, and even manipulate your intentions.

Take the example of Bluesky’s open engagement versus the throttled experience on X (formerly Twitter). The Mississippi Free Press posts the same content on both platforms but sees 20x the engagement on Bluesky. Why? Because X intentionally throttles links to control user behavior. This is data weaponization in action—your clicks, likes, and time spent are being used to drive their agenda, not yours.

2025 will demand vigilance. Protecting your data is as essential as protecting your identity. Simple steps, like using a VPN (ProtonVPN is a great start) and/or enabling private browsing, can make a world of difference. These tools may not be foolproof, but they’re better than doing nothing.

Your data deserves the same care as those precious items in a safe. Lock it up, guard it well, and stay mindful of who might be trying to pick the lock.

]]> Protect Your Privacy with One Simple Change: Start Using TOR https://friendmichael.com/Blog/protect-your-privacy-with-one-simple-change-start-using-tor.html Sat, 16 Nov 2024 17:20:22 +0000 https://friendmichael.com/?p=917 In today’s digital world, privacy is one of the most valuable currencies you have. Every click, every search, every page you visit adds to a profile about you—one that companies, advertisers, and sometimes even malicious actors can access or exploit. But there’s a simple change you can make today to reduce your attack surface, clean up your consumer profile, and reclaim your privacy: use TOR.

The TOR (The Onion Router) browser encrypts and anonymizes your internet traffic by routing it through multiple servers, making it nearly impossible to track your online activity back to you. This one behavioral shift can have an enormous impact:

1. Reduce Your Attack Surface: By hiding your IP address and encrypting traffic, TOR makes it much harder for hackers, advertisers, or governments to target you.

2. Clean Up Your Consumer Profile: TOR helps eliminate the endless tracking and profiling that happens with mainstream browsers, keeping your online behavior private.

3. Protect Your Privacy: In an age where data breaches are rampant, your personal information is a goldmine. TOR adds a critical layer of protection to ensure your data remains yours.

If using TOR feels like too big of a leap for now, there are other privacy-focused options to consider:

• Safari: With built-in anti-tracking features, Safari works to keep advertisers from building a profile about you.

• Brave: This browser blocks ads and trackers by default, ensuring a safer, faster browsing experience.

Additional Tips for Everyday Privacy:

• Browse with Private or Incognito Mode by default. This reduces cookie tracking and session data.

• Avoid logging into personal accounts (especially with TOR) when researching or browsing sensitive topics.

• Use a secure, privacy-focused search engine like DuckDuckGo.

Taking control of your privacy starts with small, intentional steps. Whether you dive into TOR or start by switching to a privacy-focused browser, remember this: your data is your power. Protect it.

]]> Wireless consumer VR: slip it on and Go. Anywhere. https://friendmichael.com/Blog/wireless-consumer-vr-slip-it-on-and-go-anywhere.html Tue, 29 May 2018 13:19:13 +0000 http://www.friendmichael.com/?p=442 It’s been several days now with the Oculus Go. I find that I’m spending time in it… many hours per day. It’s quite a device for a $199 entry point. Add a decent pair of headphones and the value is pretty unreal. Keep in mind, this is $199, –> all in. <– No PC required, no phone, nothing extra. That’s it.

I live in 350 sq ft. with my wife, daughter, and two dogs. It’s nice to be able to zone out and be in my own space without having to be tethered to the PC and the Samsung HMD Odyssey. I’ve even used it outside in a camping chair.

My current usage patterns suggest that it’s a replacement for using Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Flipboard, and so on on my iPhone X. I set up a couple of web based Google Mail accounts too. It’s remarkably usable for these things. I have bookmarks set for all of them, so they’re just a click away.

As far as VR experiences, there are several things I keep going back to. Wonder Glade has several mini games. For some reason, I really enjoy the basketball and mini-golf.

Proton Pulse is a great breakout/bricks type game apparently made for Gear VR as it uses head motions, not the controller. I expect that’ll be updated, but it’s well worth the $2.99.

A couple of other interesting things: Mondly (interactive language practice) and MelodyVR (360° live concerts with multiple camera positions).

I also love that Altspace is here. That brings the promise of social VR to an untethered, inexpensive headset. I haven’t tested all of the games, but being able to play with others, cross platform, is intriguing.

I haven’t test the party feature yet. I have a few friends with Go, but if you’re ever online at the same time I am, I’d be happy to give it a shot.

Of course the consumption experiences are great too. Hulu, Netflix, Amaze, Gala… they all do exactly what you expect.

There are some things that would make the experience better, but they’re certainly not show stoppers. Copy and pasting text, a “right click” somehow in the browser, pairing of other Bluetooth devices (keyboard, mouse, headphones), and a way to view a computer’s screen interactively. Think Bigscreen, but two way.

Imagine setting up a virtual server at Digital Ocean with Ubuntu, and being able to control that machine from your Go, anywhere with WIFI. I’d love to use this for work, but like with VR in general, this is still a wide open area for devs to tackle.

More soon.

You can pick one up at Best Buy, or follow this link to Amazon. It is an affiliate link, so if you make a purchase there, Heather and I will receive a small percentage of the sale.

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