Tethered. Without consent
Do not build a business on a social media platform. It can be hacked, taken over, or turned off at the owners’ whim. And just like that, you are no longer in business.
Do not deploy private companies’ tech and AI in government systems. No matter how tight the contract is, the data is available to the private company, and the off switch is in their hands. They can weaponise the data to suit whatever mood they are in, or for whatever power play they want. Not just election interference; that is old news, far easier to zombify generations on solioed stories stoking hate and violence.
Do not deploy cameras and recording equipment for children’s sport created by a state that has become the world leader in death tech. The wrapping says something benign, but inside is the wholesale production of material that the dark web sells for evil use.
The slow, steady, and now massively rapid move from many to one- the monopolisation of tech, manufacturing, media and money- gives power to a few egomaniacs who have not a shred of care about humanity.
Get Christine McDougall’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
A tantrum-throwing episode, and they turn the switch off. Or slow the tech down. The effects are tragic.
We are at this stage now. Politicians no longer hold power. The courts are hollowed out and ineffective.
It’s the techbros. And they love it.
A fine doesn’t work; mostly, it is peanuts. Break them up. Make AI a commons, like China is. Open source. Held in the public domain. And refuse monopolisation of anything.
The interests of the big monopolies do not serve the future of humanity.
Published October 22nd 2026. Photo taken October 22nd 2020
