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by FinnLobsien·1mo ago·view on hn ↗
I think both sides are true. Of course, there's a certain irony in proclaiming one's escape from the yoke of Big Tech on the very Big Tech platforms one claims to be escaping.

It's also telling that the most popular videos are about building the most visually striking Cyberdecks and not about building what a Cyberdeck is actually useful for—that's what gets engagement on short-form video platforms.

But I think it's a massively positive thing overall:

-Women, LGBTQ folks, and other underrepresented groups are finding their way to these nerdier hobbies.

-People are getting tired of technology taking over their lives, specifically attention economy and surveillance tech.

-People are learning about electronics and understanding that there are other ways of doing things.

I fail to see the negative in this. Even if none of these cyberdecks are used for practical purposes, someone learned something new. And, even if their cyberdeck gathers dust, being conscious of their tech usage might change how they use their MacBook or the internet more generally.

I think what you're saying is a bit like criticizing someone for not being a self-sustaining farmer because they only grew their own vegetables one summer and then quit.

They may not only eat their own vegetables, but that experience may lead to them buying from farmer's markets vs. Big Food. And that's a net positive.