A Sign of the Times: Why I’m Shifting Away from Big Tech

Disclaimer (Öffnet in neuem Fenster): No one is perfect, I appreciate your feedback.

My LinkedIn post from 20th of March 2025 (Öffnet in neuem Fenster):

“The absurd has meaning only in so far as one does not consent to it.”

– Albert Camus

Camus reminds us that absurdity becomes significant only when we refuse to accept it passively. This refusal to consent is what drives change.

It is both frustrating and alarming to see how major U.S. tech companies remain silent while their highest government representatives engage in bullying, deception, and alignment with authoritarian regimes. Despite their immense influence, these companies prioritize profits over principles, failing to challenge policies that undermine democratic values.

Rather than passively accepting this, together, we can influence financial bottom lines—and perhaps, compel Big Tech to take a stand rather than remain complicit. Consumer choices have power. When enough of us redirect spending toward ethical alternatives, companies and industries take notice.

Hence, I have canceled my commercial U.S.-based software subscriptions and services, shifting toward European alternatives. At the same time, I remain committed to leading open-source projects—regardless of their origin—because innovation and ethical technology should not be constrained by borders. Zotero, for example, is an outstanding bibliography collection and knowledge management tool that continues to be essential to my workflow.

The Good News: Europe and the Rest of the World are home to superior software solutions—often more innovative, cost-effective, and privacy-focused. My posts on Steady, the EU-based alternative to Substack, will serve as entry points for those interested in exploring these alternatives. Each post will be concise, offering a short personal assessment while linking to in-depth resources, expert reviews, and tutorials.

This journey will uncover better-performing tools, lower costs, and smarter workflows. If you’re curious about breaking free from U.S. Big Tech, I invite you to follow along.

Your Role in This Movement: If this message resonates with you, please share this post. By spreading awareness, you help others discover alternatives and join the conversation.

A Note on LinkedIn:

I remain deeply conflicted about continuing to use LinkedIn. The professional network I have built here is invaluable—composed of people who are not only brilliant engineers but also committed to progress and meaningful change.

For now, I will stay, honoring the work and insights of my network rather than LinkedIn’s revenue streams.

Let’s not consent to the absurd.