This podcast is about an article I once wrote called , "The Internet's Great Disappointment," which argued that the internet's "free" services, while initially appealing, have fostered monopolies. This "free" model, I contend, has stealthily destroyed competition, exploited user data, and ultimately betrayed the initial promise of democratization and empowerment. The episode explores how seemingly benevolent companies have used "free" as a tool to create ecosystems of dependence, leading to a loss of agency for users and a distorted digital marketplace. Ultimately, I call for greater transparency, accountability, and regulatory intervention to correct this imbalance.