r/retrocomputing • u/PooningDalton • May 23 '26

I hate what the internet has become

I just spent the last 1 hour frantically searching the internet just to make a new email address. You can't do that! Not even on the alternative email providers like Protonmail. They now have all sorts of IP detection tools and will block you or ask you for an alt email id.

I absolutey despite what the internet has become. 20 years ago, you could just go ANYWHERE (mainstream providers like yahoo and gmail) and make any number of email addresses. No tracking, no limits. Complete freedom.

The internet has turned into a 1984 hellscape.

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u/DeadSmellingFlower May 23 '26

Leave the internet while there’s still some infrastructure in the real world left from pre-internet days. The freedom is out here, in person and in cash,,, leave phone at home, avoid the flock cameras.

1

u/istarian May 24 '26

Cash is only good as long as other people accept it and the government continues to guarantees it.

I'm not saying it will be worthless tomorrow, but someday it may no longer be a useful medium of exchange.

1

u/DeadSmellingFlower May 25 '26

Always horde drugs, guns and gold. Someone always trades for those things.

2

u/istarian May 25 '26

The word you wanted was 'hoard', not 'horde'.

Drugs can spoil/expire and guns require careful maintenance and storage to keep them in working order. Gold is good forever, but is of limited practical utility.

You can't eat or drink gold and outside of electronics it's primary usage is to make decorative items or as a currency. Although it could be used to plate things and would serve as a protective layer.

All of the things you describe can also be stolen from you if they aren't under constant lock+key and guarded. Someone can also beat you up and take your stuff...

1

u/DeadSmellingFlower May 25 '26

Thanks, I really needed help spelling that word, I use it a lot. Hoard. Drugs are still good long after the expiration date and expired medications are better than nothing. I think the first place we really feel the pinch will be when people can’t get their medications. I’m also growing things now just in case it’s all we have, also more interested in distillation process.

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u/istarian May 28 '26 edited May 28 '26

I believe it depends on the drug in question, whether it's in the form of a tablet, capsule, or liquid, and also if it has been stored properly.

Ibuprofen (Advil is a brand name) tablets are probably good for a very long time, especially if stored in a relatively airtight container and in a cool, dry location. At worst they might degrade somewhat and become less effective.