While thinking of ways I can enrich my local community, I figured I should host cookouts/potlucks as a venue to share some useful stuff with the world. I want to cover things like degoogling, basic computer skills, etc. as that’s where my skill set is primarily, but I plan to host guest “host’s” to cover a wider breadth of knowledge.
If you were one of my neighbors, what would you like to see covered or cover yourself?
Yeah, nobody says that about me IRL, that’s a bit of a (hurtful) leap from what has been a very short interaction. People find me likeable too, if odd, and I get along pretty well with everyone. Part of that is that I’ve learned to listen, rather than lecture.
I’m pointing out several downer facts, because OP is being a puppy dog, and it reminds me of shit did when I was younger that I cringe at now. I would have wanted someone to warn me, too.
Technical communication is a skill, not one I’m great at, but one I have to do often. There’s a methodology to it. You have to make them care, and then you have a limited amount of interest in the topic that you can’t use up. You have to recognize they don’t care about computers, only convenience and simple tricks that make them more confident in using them. And yes, you definitely have to listen and adapt to what they’re interested in
But yeah, I don’t know you at all. I don’t really doubt your intentions either, you’re probably very nice. It did feel patronizing to have what I think are some pretty well thought out suggestions (grounded in my own experience) dismissed out of hand by a stranger though
If you came to share your experiences and give advice, I’d have responded very differently
Ah, sorry it came off that way. They were good suggestions, but I do question if any of it would matter in this context.
If OP were to work NSA dick picks into a related casual conversation, that may very well make some progress. And maybe someone would ask for alternatives, which could go somewhere closer to what they were originally talking about.
Thanks I appreciate that. I do know that approach works because I’ve seen it tested, and done it myself
It’s definitely a challenge… They just can’t understand why privacy matters. But you can squeak in ideas on the fringes. They will never understand why it matters systematically
Just planting ideas, like “say the word and I’ll remove all your ads” or “don’t buy a pre built desktop, use pcpartpicke and you’ll save hundreds of dollars” gives you authority. It’s a limited budget, but you can translate it into "avoid this to stay safe*
It’s all like that… It extends even into leaders of thee letter agencies, who I didn’t realize I was presenting to at the time