Read Polite Toolbox (www.polite.one)
Polite is a part think tank, and part studio focused on the ethical renaissance of the Internet. We have designed the Polite Toolbox.

We advocate for a Slow Web Movement.
We are what we eat, and we are also what we consume online.
Data-driven advertising, BlackBox algorithms, and the competition between Big Tech to keep us “engaged“ has created an addiction to low-value content. It is time to reset our digital consumption and create healthier habits.
Since the last decade, with a set of guidelines, the Slow Web Movement is changing Software to make it care about us again.
Think of it as the equivalent of “Organic” for Technology.

As solid a pitch for the slow web movement as I’ve seen yet from an analogy perspective.
Annotated on February 01, 2020 at 09:13AM

The right to Non-manipulative design.

see also dark patterns.
Annotated on February 01, 2020 at 09:14AM

👓 The Soothing Promise of Our Own Artisanal Internet | WIRED

Read The Soothing Promise of Our Own Artisanal Internet by Nitasha TikuNitasha Tiku (WIRED)
As unease with Big Tech grows, some prescribe a slower, less viral online existence. "Eat independent sites, mostly not Facebook."
Great overview article on some of the bigger problems. It also has some excellent analogies of the web with the changes in the food movement over the past 30 years or so. Nothing new, but well written and with some great links to pull things together.

👓 The Soothing Promise of Our Own Artisanal Internet | Wired

Read The Soothing Promise of Our Own Artisanal Internet (WIRED)
As unease with Big Tech grows, some prescribe a slower, less viral online existence. "Eat independent sites, mostly not Facebook."
Includes a reference analogizing the internet to food, which I’ve done before myself

hat tip: Kevin Marks in IndieWeb chat

👓 The Slow Web | Paul Robert Lloyd

Read The Slow Web by Paul Robert Lloyd (paulrobertlloyd.com)
While the rise of blogging in the early 2000s can be seen as enabling true democratisation of publishing, the emergence of social media – within whose walled gardens content is curtailed and controlled – has begun to undermine it.

👓 Beyond #DeleteFacebook: More Thoughts on Embracing the Social Internet Over Social Media | Cal Newport

Read Beyond #DeleteFacebook: More Thoughts on Embracing the Social Internet Over Social Media by Cal Newport (Study Hacks)

Last week, I wrote a blog post emphasizing the distinction between the social internetand social media. The former describes the internet’s ability to enable connection, learning, and expression. The latter describes the attempt of a small number of large companies to monetize these capabilities inside walled-garden, monopoly platforms.

My argument is that you can embrace the social internet without having to become a “gadget” inside the algorithmic attention economy machinations of the social media conglomerates. As noted previously, I think this is the right answer for those who are fed up with the dehumanizing aspects of social media, but are reluctant to give up altogether on the potential of the internet to bring people together.

🔖 SLOWLY

Bookmarked SLOWLY (play.google.com)

SLOWLY lets you meet pen friends from your smartphone! Match with someone that shares your passion, write a letter and collect stamps from around the world. Speak your mind – one letter at a time!

SLOWLY is not your typical networking or dating app - we’re bringing the traditional pen friend experience to your smartphone.

The app is created for those who yearns for meaningful conversations with people in the era of instant messaging. We hope to connect people around the world at a slower but better pace – one letter at a time.

Meet a new pen friend, seal your letter & place a stamp - start connecting with the world on SLOWLY!

Features:
- Mailing time depends on where you & your pen friend live.
- A nickname & an avatar is all you need. Speak your mind & connect freely to the world.
- Matches based on common interests & languages.
- Collect & unlock hidden stamps!