Gabe Rocks

Hrvoje and I had a conversation about how governments and corporations are tightening their grip over the information landscape. We discussed some of my latest work, and it was an excellent opportunity to add some finer detail to points that come up often. Near the end, we talk about the war on dissent in Germany. It’s important to note that the acquittal of CJ Hopkins is being appealed by the German government. Reiterating the importance for us to rally around the importance of Free Speech and Expression in the face of totalitarianism.

Listen to the full episode here

Related Posts

More Discussions

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I had the pleasure of taking part in a long-form discussion about the current state of technology and our experience on the fediverse. It’s been wonderful getting to know Theory who is a brilliant software developer and has a very sound technical mind. This episode is something of a special treat for the advanced class here at the Libre Solutions Network, I think those who are either highly technical or highly curious will find it a fascinating talk.

The conversation was recorded on Mumble, editied in Audacity and hosted on PeerTube. One thing that excites me about this particular project is that it is one of many ways to demonstrate how we really don’t need big tech services to distribute media.

Follow Mindwalled

Please consider subscribing to the podcast RSS Feed and/or using it in a podcast app like antennapod or kasts! You can also open the PeerTube channel to follow from the fediverse.

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I’m pleased to have had the opportunity to discuss Digital Autonomy & The Arts with Anne Gibbons . Anne is a courageous cartoonist and an inspiration to those who want to learn to make their mark on the canvas of history. We discuss the unique challenges that impact our lives at the cross-section of digital autonomy and artistic expression. I really appreciated having a discussion with a creative and passionate voice with such a wealth of experience.

Special Thanks to Margaret Anna Allice

This discussion wouldn’t have taken place if not for Margaret Anna Alice and I am very thankful for that. Please take the time to watch (and share!) Dr Yeadon’s incredible reading of Mistakes Were NOT Made: An Anthem for Justice.

Related

Related links:

* The Media Matrix

* DeviantArt upsets artists with its new AI art generator, DreamUp

* War and Democide

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This video is a summary of a report on how programmatic advertising can be weaponized for mass real-time surveillance. This report is highly troubling but not particularly surprising. If you want to learn how it’s being used, read up on the mastodon thread made by one of the report’s authors.

Links:

* Mastodon Thread

* Europe’s Hidden Security Crisis Report

Further Reading:

* The Military Origins of Facebook

* How Palantir Conquered the WOrld

* Total Information Awareness

* Targeted Ads are a Cybersecurity Risk

Related

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Overview

Backups can feel like a chore, but they’re actually very empowering. Beyond the peace of mind knowing that you’re much less likely to lose data, you’re also in a better position to make changes. Many tasks, like moving from Windows to a Free and Open Source operating system, are much easier if you’ve already got your own backups. Keeping your data safe can be as simple as making copies and distributing them, all the way up to running your own cloud. The main purpose is always the same, preventing the horrors of data loss.

Data loss can be tragic. In a time where commercial services train us to think that everything is at our fingertips, it’s easy to forget that some things really are irreplaceable. Sure you can probably hunt down all those memes you’ve saved, but personal photographs, notes, and works can all disappear in a moment of surprise to be quickly replaced with a flood of dread and regret.

There’s the harsh saying, data that isn’t backed up is already lost. I’ve personally felt the loss of some personal data over the years that I’ll never get back. There are so many ways to lose data including deleting/overwriting data by mistake, device failure, or hostile attacks like ransomware. The solution is to keep your data on multiple devices in multiple places. Fortune favors the prepared, so it’s best to do what you can to avoid such scenarios.The important steps are: Simplify, Store, Distribute, Test.

Simplify

Just like it can be hard to track down a specific form on a cluttered desk, it pays to have a deliberately organized system. Making as much use of your home directory as possible will go a long way. If you were able to have all your important files in a single place, such as C:/Users/Gabriel on Windows or /home/gabriel on Linux or Mac, it can be much easier to then copy and transfer those files.

Of course that’s the ideal scenario, things may be saved elsewhere for all kinds of reasons, or even relegated to a particular cloud provider. This creates a new challenge of tracking down particular files in a race against time before they are forgotten all together. The complexity isn’t always your fault, programs have the capability of installing their configuration settings in different places, so being aware of what program settings you need to keep safe is very important.

Using simpler tools, taking an offline-first approach, and spending time to organize important files can go a long way to making your backups simpler. Simple backups can sometimes be fully automated or at least sped up with scripts. This is all even more true when you use multiple devices, the more organized each device is, the less work required to manage it all.

Store

Recovery Checklist:

For a complete recovery you’ll want to account for:

* Personal/Work files

Any file you wouldn’t want to have deleted. These include personal photos, documents, scanned documents or media.

* Organizational Data

Calendars and contacts are some of the first things you’ll want to ensure you have in a format under your control.

* Passwords

If you use a password manager, it’s very important not to lose all your passwords.

* Browser Profiles

Arguably the most important program to back up the settings for would be your browser. You can also separately back up important data such as bookmarks. By having the entire profile you ensure you keep your settings, add-ons, and many other useful things to avoid disruption.

* Configuration files

These are the program files mentioned earlier. Where they’re stored will vary from program to program, and it may depend on what system you’re using.

* Installation media

At minimum, it’s nice to have a fresh start every once in a while. Having an installer on a USB to reinstall your system after any issues is a very useful thing to have when you can just throw all your files back in place.

* System backups

You can save time on re-installing your system and programs by maintaining a backup of your system in it’s current state. System backups are very useful to get back and running after a catastrophic problem or if a device is lost.

No matter how much (or how little) simplifying you’ve done, you need to figure out how you’re going to store your needed files. At minimum you’ll want to copy them to some form of external medium or remote server.

Types of Backups

* Copy

The most straightforward way to move files is to copy them from place to an external device such as a USB drive or optical media.

* Push

If you have access to a home or remote server, you can regularly push files to keep them accessible.

* Pull You could also give a home/remote server the capability to download your files remotely.

* Sync It’s also possible to use tools to sync files and folders between devices in real-time.

Encryption

It’s useful to encrypt your backups, so if they fall in the wrong hands all your private files are safe from compromise. Sometimes cloud services will claim your backups are encrypted, but it’s critical that you control (and protect) the key that’s used to access the files.

Automation

Automation saves you time at the cost of initial configuration. It’s ultimately up to you how sophisticated you want the backup to be. It can be a very simple regular copy, or very complex with real-time sync and extra features.

Offline backups

As far as I know, it’s impossible to steal data from an unplugged storage device over the Internet. Even if it was possible, it would be incredibly impractical to target most people. Having a backup that is disconnected from power is safe from all kinds of cyber threats.

Time

Sometimes files aren’t merely lost, but are mistakenly damaged or altered. It’s useful to have a version history of particular files or keep multiple system backups from different moments in time.

Redundancy

Less is absolutely not more in this scenario. If you’ve got spare time/resources and want to consider an additional layer of protection, more copies and/or more storage locations significantly increase the odds of being able to recover files in a disaster.

Distribute

There are scenarios where it’s vital to have your data not exist in a single physical location. Natural disasters, break-ins, and many other unpredictable incidents can make it impossible to retrieve data once it’s gone. Having a backup located somewhere else is how you overcome this.

For data that isn’t personal or sensitive, sharing is a perfectly viable option. If you’ve assembled an important curated collection of writing, media, or even just links publishing it online can help ensure your work isn’t wasted. You can even distribute files (that you have the rights to!) on archive.org to make a mark on history.

Storage Types

Portable Storage

The easiest way to get started is to copy your personal files to a portable storage device. When one doesn’t require a huge amount of space, these are very convenient and work quite well. Portable flash storage is generally quite fast, but may not be suited for long-term storage.

Optical Media

If you’re storing a relatively small amount of data that you don’t need to change, optical media such as CDs, DVDs, or Bluray disks may suit your purposes. Data stored on optical media is often likely to last much longer than flash storage when kept in ideal conditions.

External Hard Drives

A go-to method for people with many files is to back up their files to an external hard drive. These usually require their own power and data cable to work. They can feature faster speeds, and much larger storage space in exchange for a bulkier size.

NAS / Remote Storage

A more sophisticated method to store data is to run a server that allows files to be transferred over the network. There are all kinds of methods to setup repositories of data with various different forms of access control.

Test

Backing up is just the first step! You’ll want to make sure the files are properly usable. You don’t want to waste the time running a fancy automated fully-encrypted backup system to have that effort tragically wasted the moment you actually need it.

File I…

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Updates

PeerTube

At the start of 2023 I Launched the Libre Solutions Network peertube instance.

Over 450 views on the PeerTube channel is a great start! I’m sure it would grow a lot faster if I opened registrations but truthfully I don’t really want to be responsible for other people’s accounts! Having a peertube instance that allows follows seems to be a great compromise. Currently, my instance is followed by over 30 other instances.

Fully Voiced Articles

Early in the year, I recorded voiceovers for the entire Tools of the Technocracy series as well as others.

Operations

An operation is a blueprint for advancing people’s digital and personal freedom. These are “big picture” plans for how people can advance liberty in their own lives.

Infographics

Digital Autonomy Series

I’m very grateful that people are interested in having discussions with me about where tech meets their passions.

Full Series

Rounding The Earth

It’s been a pleasure to work closely with Mathew Crawford at the Rounding the Earth Newsletter. Despite my own rather narrow focus, I think it is critical to appreciate the bigger picture, and Mathew has been working diligently for quite some time to make sense of it in a sharable way.

The Hrvoje Moric Show

I’m a massive fan of Hrvoje’s work. He’s a very skilled interviewer who asks great questions about a wider variety of topics than I can keep up with! You can also get a wide variety of intelligence updates from his Telegram Channel.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Highlights of 2023

The National Citizens Inquiry

The National Citizens Inquiry is a Canadian citizen-led inquiry into the Covid Crisis in Canada. Read the final report here.

Protocol Wars

Liberty-minded individuals need to redouble our efforts to support open and interoperable protocols. Take a look at Alex’s mostr to fediverse bridge

Don’t let your memes be dreams. Let’s work together to create the future that we believe in.

Alex Gleason

Cyberwars & Rumors of Cyberwars

Items of Interest

* Sim Swapping attacks: How to protect yourself from this common phone scam

* Why the Distinction Between “Open Source” and “Source Available” is Important

* What is the difference between free software and open source software?

* NHS Palantir data deal puts patient trust at risk, warn MP and privacy groups

* A Full, Comprehensive Guide to RSS/Atom

* Open access to AI foundational models poses various security and compliance risks, report finds

Substack Roundup

PeerTube Roundup

Blender 4.0 Reel

Facial Recognition Defense / Flaws

This Threat to Free Software is Worse than I Thought…

Tech Freedom Memes

All Recaps

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I’m very grateful for the opportunity to share insights that don’t fit neatly into longer posts. Hrvoje Morić who is well known for Geopolitics & Empire is a fascinating person to talk to and a very knowledgeable host. We hit many important topics, opening with how big tech is working to regain people’s trust as well as legislative attacks on people’s online freedom. We also discuss Signal and the Open Technology fund, as well as cost savings from ditching the cloud.

I hope you find this informative and helpful!

Related

All appearances on TNT Radio

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In what has become my most ambitious media project yet, I had the pleasure of hosting a conversation with people I look up to as among my personal heroes. These kindhearted souls are lights of hope in the darkest of times. The Digital Autonomy Series is now one of my favorite projects as it allows the Libre Solutions Network to truly start to live up to its name.

🔮 Visceral Adventure

I got to know Visceral Adventure through Operation Uplift. Her open mind, kindness, and drive are huge inspiration. I was absolutely blown away by how succinctly she summarized my primary motivation in writing The Tools of the Technocracy.

This is the first time the technology has actually caught up with the goal of technocracy. This is why I think this is such a pivotal moment in human civilization. This is the first time that they can actually succeed in their goals and I think that is a huge distinction.

🍁 Liam Sturgess

If I was suspicious of any human being having some kind of super power, it would be Liam Sturgess He is an incredibly diligent investigative reporter in addition to being a phenomenal musician, voice actor, and producer. He’s at the forefront of fighting for truth and freedom in Canada.

If you haven’t, give Foreverland a listen!

After all the years have flown awayMeet me at the crossroads come and prayLooking out across from the open shoreLive a life with open wings and soarWe'll find pieces where we've beenAnd live off adrenalineWe'll lift off from where we stand

Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/liamsturgessWebsite: https://www.liamsturgess.com/

✒️ Margaret Anna Alice

George Orwell wrote: “In times of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” Margaret Anna Alice is a passionate chronicler who has ensured that the revolution will not go without the truth. She has an unparalleled ability to artfully share the voice of reason without mincing words.

In COVID IS OVER! …If You Want It Margaret Anna Alice Quotes “The Politics of Obedience: The Discourse of Voluntary Servitude”:

“You can deliver yourselves if you try, not by taking action, but merely by willing to be free. Resolve to serve no more, and you are at once freed. I do not ask that you place hands upon the tyrant to topple him over, but simply that you support him no longer; then you will behold him, like a great Colossus whose pedestal has been pulled away, fall of his own weight and break into pieces.” Étienne de La Boétie (COVID IS OVER! …If You Want It)

Liam's comments about compartmentalization immediately made me think of Christopher Browning's "Ordinary Men," where he discusses "desk murderers." I explore that topic in Letter to a Colluder: Stop Enabling Tyranny:

“This approach emphasizes the degree to which modern bureaucratic life fosters a functional and physical distancing in the same way that war and negative racial stereotyping promote a psychological distancing between perpetrator and victim. Indeed, many of the perpetrators of the Holocaust were so-called desk murderers whose role in the mass extermination was greatly facilitated by the bureaucratic nature of their participation. Their jobs frequently consisted of tiny steps in the overall killing process, and they performed them in a routine manner, never seeing the victims their actions affected. Segmented, routinized, and depersonalized, the job of the bureaucrat or specialist—whether it involved confiscating property, scheduling trains, drafting legislation, sending telegrams, or compiling lists—could be performed without confronting the reality of mass murder. Such a luxury, of course, was not enjoyed by the men of Reserve Police Battalion 101, who were quite literally saturated in the blood of victims shot at point-blank range.

Christopher Browning - Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland(Letter to a Colluder: Stop Enabling Tyranny)

The series has expanded!

I’m overjoyed to reintroduce the first part of Digital Autonomy and Resilient life. Don’t forget, the invitation is open to those who want to participate!

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In this feature of Digital Autonomy Discussions I had a discussion with Rebecca Cunningham who runs Red Flyer Media. She is a Visual Storyteller, Motorcycle Rider, Vagabond, Video Editor, Moto-Journalist, Documentary Filmmaker. We discuss censorship resistance, the rural and urban divide, as well as the many factors of building up one’s own independence.

Resources Referenced:

* Meshtastic

* New Packet Radio

* Bear’s Prepper Classroom Playlist

* Jack Spirko

* Nicole Sauce

More to Come

This series is intended to help bring together different voices to explore how technology can help (or hinder) people’s ability to live their lives. This episode is just a taste of the wide array of topics worth giving their own attention.

More

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Updates

New posts

Collaboration

You’re Invited!

Rounding The Earth

I had the pleasure of Joining Mathew Crawford to discuss the intricacies of different currency systems. I think it was great to break new ground in moving the discussion beyond the basics and raise the alarm about mindwar in finance.

Some of my time is spent on content for the Rounding The Earth Locals community. These off-the-cuff presentations give me a chance to summarize recent thoughts and present ideas I’m trying to hone. If you’re interested in my work, as well as Rounding the Earth Newsletter, you may appreciate these.

Presentations:

* Is Freedom Tech Doomed?

* How to Save the Internet

* The Caper of the Century: Origins of the Great Reset

Substack Roundup

Items of Interest

Inquiry into the Appropriateness and Efficacy of the COVID-19 Response in Canada

Behind the One-Way Mirror: A Deep Dive Into the Technology of Corporate Surveillance

Governments turn to Open Source for sovereignty

Law professor says blockchain tech could ‘revolutionize’ copyright offices

Two fediverses, one network

Mastodon Is Easy and Fun Except When It Isn’t

PeerTube Roundup

PeerTube v6 is out, and powered by your ideas!

Turkey Inkscape - Developer Update 25th Nov 2023

I’m choosing to highlight this because I think it’s important for people to consider that many great things can be accomplished by paying competent developers directly. You can support Martin’s work on Inkscape on his Liberapay

Ok, but what is XMPP?

This is an excellent video by Denshi explaining what XMPP is and why it works in the way it does. Comfy Guides is also a great resource, which includes how to set up your own XMPP Server.

Framework: Building an Open, Reliable Laptop (Ubuntu Summit Presentation)

This is a good demo of the Framework laptop. Which is a fascinating project exemplifying how a laptop can be repairable, modular, and therefore easily upgradable by the user. If nothing else, it’s worth considering how we as consumers should push manufacturers in some of these directions.

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