The YouTube channel Technology Connections recently made a video [1] about this and used the term "Algorithmic Complacency" to encompass how many people would rather be fed content determined by their algo of choice than seek it out.

But for those who do want a return to the "Web", I think there are plenty of existing tools for this. RSS feeds allow you to follow independent blogs and websites. BlueSky and Mastadon can be used to curate a list of like minded people who will suggest other cool people or content to check out. YouTube has a Subscriptions tab that is not influenced by the algorithm.

That being said, I applaud anyone who wants to make the independent web more accessible and popular. We need alternatives to the infinite scroll fed to us by massive tech companies.

[1] https://youtu.be/QEJpZjg8GuA

Funny you should mention both RSS and BlueSky/Mastodon as a return to the web, since Dave Winer (who pioneered RSS) has written about how BlueSky/Mastodon etc. are very much NOT the web. http://scripting.com/2024/12/21.html

> Threads, Bluesky and Mastodon are the IBM, Microsoft and Apple of 2024. It's ridiculous if they think this is a web.

Makes a lot of sense and I don't disagree. They're definitely not a return to the web and I probably misrepresented them that way in my post. I was mostly using them as examples of existing platforms where you can find content without being subjected to the algorithm's suggestions, if you choose to use the "following" or "subscribed" features instead of "Discover" or "For You".

Thinking about why I've tended to avoid RSS, there is a consumption vs exploration divide in my mind that I feel RSS readers lean the wrong way on. That is probs an assumption I should challenge in my own thinking.

At some point you have to stop exploring and actually consume what you've collected. I think that's one psychological trick of infinite scroll feeds... our minds naturally want to see what's next. Personally, I spend more time searching and saving things to my various lists instead of actually watching or reading what I've saved.

How do you find new RSS feeds today? RSS readers is something I've never really loved. But I also haven't tried them in a while. I should probs go look at some RSS feed readers to try

You should. An RSS reader has become my primary window into the web these days. It really improves the experience.

For some people perhaps - it doesn't have to be for everyone. And there's plenty of really interesting content on HN that is about science and discovery rather than commercial uses.

To op - yes, feel the same, but what can you do...

It may seem that way, but the reality is that rabid capitalism has not reached every corner.

I agree with this. The titles of Staff and Principal, generally, include some responsibility for teaching others (writing articles is one of many good methods for this) and helping to recruit people to your team through external marketing.

How do you get new contacts that you can pitch in a single email? Is it organic newsletter signups or something else?

I agree with this and similar posts suggesting they find local non-profits. There's probably no perfect answer to what's most "efficient" and I think that's probably the wrong way to look at it. As a single, non-billionaire, there's only so much you can do to help others. But, you will get much more satisfaction from seeing "first-hand" the "effect of your actions". Sending your money to some faceless global charity is not going to be as rewarding and will make it a lot easier to stop doing.

Even a single billionaire can only do a very tiny amount

There're [nominally] 8 billion people on the planet

A billion bucks is only twelve cents per person

Good answer. I'll add that as a middle manager, it's your job to take a large umbrella strategy and break it down into actionable terms for your team. I think this is the root of the OPs problem. These meetings are for disseminating a goal/strategy that is set near the top of the organization. It has to be broad and generic in order for different groups to enact. It's up to the management of each team (whether its sales or engineering) to translate the company goals into specific goals for the team that are understandable.

This suggests OP shouldn't be in this meeting, and instead should join a separate team-focused "translation" meeting.

or maybe just scrape meetings and sent an easy to understand email which summarizes everything in 3-4 minutes.

Could save a lot of wasted time and energy

I think this form of imposter syndrome is fairly common. I feel the same way, quite often. I no longer feel like I don't belong because I'm not smart or skilled enough, but that I'm not passionate enough to keep my skills as sharp.

One thought that helps me deal with it, is that every company/team needs people like us. If everyone on the team is obsessed with the work, then it starts to create bad habits of overwork that will further alienate new people. So just by being less interested, we're helping normalize separating work from life, taking things slower, and hopefully preventing the whole team from burning out.

Some of the best programmers I know are lazy. They don't work crazy hours because they a) automate stuff b) don't reinvent the wheel and c) know what work is critical and what can be skipped

Overworking can lead to overengineering which has a knock on maintenance cost for years.

The capitalist machines do indeed grind up most attempts at simply helping humanity; I don't think that's unique to tech. So I doubt you'll find solace by simply quitting tech entirely. Also, be aware that your contributions are relatively minor in the grand scheme of things, would have happened with or without you, and will not be solved if you quit the game. The problems are systemic, global, and ultimately controlled by corporations. You should not feel guilty for being forced into playing by the rules of capitalism.

I would suggest two options:

A) Try to make as much money as you can and use that money to help humanity. We are all extremely lucky to be in tech at this time, when compensation is massively higher than most other jobs. You could leverage your ability to make money and then donate that money to charities you believe in.

B) Find companies who have missions you actually agree with. While these are rare and don't always pay as well, they do exist. There are non-profits (and for profits) trying to solve homelessness, world hunger, inequality, discrimination, climate change, etc. Every type of company needs software developers. You just might have to take a paycut.

Good luck!

Yet another reminder to always negotiate.

That's probably part of it, but I think the root is that a college campus is designed for people to use it without cars. Food, stores, classrooms, places to sit and meet are all built in and connected via walkways. Cars become unnecessary once you get to campus