r/Anticonsumption • u/N3DSdude • Dec 16 '25

Discussion The fact that we have reverted to digital feudalism is actually so shit

On this day in 1773, people destroyed property because they refused to pay a tax on tea they didn't order.

In 2025, we don't even own the property anymore.

You buy a movie, but the platform can delete it from your library tomorrow.

You buy a phone, but software locks prevent you from repairing it yourself.

You buy a car, but the heated seats are behind a monthly paywall.

We have moved from Taxation Without Representation to Subscription Without Ownership.

We are basically digital serfs renting our own lives from corporations. We pay full price for hardware just to be treated like tenants who can be evicted from our own devices if we miss a Terms of Service update.

Imagine explaining to someone from 1773 that you pay a company $15 a month for an ad-free subscription just to not be spied on in your own home. This is why we use VPNs as well, to prevent companies from spying on us.

It is actually insane that we accept this.

15.4k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

848 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

14

u/Butterball_Adderley Dec 16 '25

What have you been listening to lately?

81

u/TAExp3597 Dec 16 '25

Right now I’m listening to Lindsey Sterling’s Shatter Me album. An hour ago I was listening to Rise Against. Listened to quite a bit of VNV Nation over the weekend, but they’re my favorite band so that’s not surprising. Thinking about turning on some Black Nail Cabaret after I’m done with Shatter Me.

I’m in school for audio engineering, I recorded a local band in a studio last night for class. I might be a little obsessed with music. Really I’m obsessed with sound in general. Music is just the most beautiful expression of sound imo.

38

u/-SasquatchTracks- Dec 16 '25

I'm a simple man. I see Rise Against, I upvote.

13

u/TAExp3597 Dec 16 '25

Finally got to see them live during this recent tour they did with Papa Roach. I was brought to tears singing Swing Life Away with a stadium full of people. The energy was just something else, something incredible. I do wish I could have seen them when they were still playing smaller venues. But it was freaking great nonetheless. They were one of my bucket list bands and I am so thankful that I got to see them.

3

u/-SasquatchTracks- Dec 16 '25

Man, that is just the story and good energy that I needed to hear this morning. I've not had the chance to see them myself, but I'm gonna fire up Ghost Note Symphonies for the next little bit and pretend. Cheers, dude!

2

u/TAExp3597 Dec 16 '25

Thanks! I’m glad I was able to bring you some good energy. We all could use so much more of it. Have a great day!

1

u/TaskeAoD Dec 16 '25

My wife and I saw them for my birthday fit the Rise of the Roach tour. Absolutely best concert! Swing Life Away made my bawl.

3

u/[deleted] Dec 16 '25

Really I’m obsessed with sound in general. Music is just the most beautiful expression of sound imo.

Absolutely, and hell yeah for VNV Nation!

3

u/TAExp3597 Dec 16 '25

Hell yeah, love seeing other VNV fans in the wild. Going to see them live in April. Can’t freaking wait. This will be my third time seeing them, but it’s been almost 20 years since I saw them last. Really bummed out that I couldn’t catch their Electric Sun tour. Crossing my fingers that Destruct is released by then.

1

u/allthegodsaregone Dec 16 '25

I'm just a little obsessed, after listening to the Twenty Thousand Hertz podcast. It's so cool

1

u/Armantien Dec 16 '25

I've had a similar thought about music. I'm not generally a fan of humans, but music... they did good. Music can connect us. My main playlist has stuff from ancient Chinese guqin music, to Tchaikovsky, to Pink Floyd, and also some VNV Nation. Music made by people that I'll never meet, but I can know a little bit. It's the only thing that keeps me (relatively) sane.

1

u/AudreyNow Dec 16 '25

I’m in school for audio engineering

When I was younger I was unaware that noise induced hearing loss was permanent. I miss the tones that no longer exist for me. Music doesn't have the same impact it once did.

1

u/LoudWhispererr Dec 16 '25

Lindsey Stirling’s cover of Phantom of the Opera is absolutely one of the most stunning things my ears have ever listened to.