My alternative to audible are a collection of apps. The mains ones are Libby and Libro.fm. Libro.fm is basically audible except your money goes to supporting a local, small bookstore of your choosing anywhere in the US. There’s also LibriVox which is a collection of free audio recordings of classic books like Dracula, Moby Dick, etc. The main thing to remember with Amazon is they get a bulk of their money from Prime memberships, which is how they can offer cheaper prices on everything. Anything to end this oligarchical takeover.
Indeed. A few years ago, I looked up to Elon. He had the opportunity to do some great things. I thought with a name like "Tesla" -- that he'd do it justice and want to genuinely help. But ever since the Twitter Takeover, he has been losing favor with me. Now he seems like just another greedy and power-hungry C@pItalist.
Indeed. That'll be the last post in the series, I think. I'm going to ride the substack wave for the moment, as there are a lot of great people here that are finding us. And I want to give Substack the opportunity to OpenSource themselves. If they don't -- then yes, we will eventually be moving to Ghost + Mastadon + PeerTube.
I cancelled my Amazon prime account. Instead of Kindle I got a reMarkable 2 and Boox (testing them out), and using Scribd/Everand for audiobooks/ebooks. For physical books, I use Thriftbooks and Powell’s bookstores. I replaced Amazon groceries with Imperfect Foods and Thrive Market. All the stuff I used to get on Amazon, I decided I no longer need, and I love how my garage is now empty of Amazon boxes:) The things I do need, I go directly to the store websites and buy directly from them. I don’t mind paying a little extra and I am ok not getting next day delivery. As much as possible I’ve tried to cut out Amazon. I’m still working on reducing and reusing. Not Amazon related, but, I really want to also add a wisephone…but I’m not quite ready to take that dive. Unless, a minimalist phone exists with a great camera?
Fantastic work! Thank you for sharing your experience and alternatives.
I hadn't seen Wisephone yet. It does look like a decent alternative, especially if minimalism is your goal. Just in case you hadn't seen it yet, we did an article on the Smart Phone, but it is geared more towards Open Source options than it is minimalism. https://bioharmony.substack.com/p/smartphone-sovereignty
I don't use any of the tech giants, except I still have a Facebook account to stay connected to relatives (they won't budge) and of course Amazon. The trouble with boycotting Amazon is that it is the only outlet that sells stuff we need. Pet food for picky cats, decent baking soda, organic coffee beans... I could go on. One thing I try to do is buy from small businesses via Amazon. I believe it should really be governments that break up these monopolies.
Cats have been fed, and people have enjoyed baking soda and coffee all well before Amazon existed. They only re-sell what is already available and have very few of their own products. Sure, you might have to look a little harder, or order from multiple places. But Amazon is not the only outlet for stuff we need.
I do not trust the Federal Government to do anything in service of the people, especially if it contradicts where their money comes from. The tech Oligarchy and the Federal Governement are in bed with each other now.
I’m really struggling with finding Amazon/Target alternatives as my family (for the time being) posted abroad. Many things can be purchased on the local market - and it’s part of the joy of living abroad! But I am really struggling on OTC medicine. It’s often adulterated or fake on the local market. I’m trying to reach out to my network and see if I can pay someone to shop at a local pharmacy type place and ship it to me. I’ve tried with family but they’re pretty skeptical of my desire to boycott.
My alternative to audible are a collection of apps. The mains ones are Libby and Libro.fm. Libro.fm is basically audible except your money goes to supporting a local, small bookstore of your choosing anywhere in the US. There’s also LibriVox which is a collection of free audio recordings of classic books like Dracula, Moby Dick, etc. The main thing to remember with Amazon is they get a bulk of their money from Prime memberships, which is how they can offer cheaper prices on everything. Anything to end this oligarchical takeover.
Fantastic, thank you!
And I hope people get very serious about giving up Tesla and Starlink. Very serious.
Indeed. A few years ago, I looked up to Elon. He had the opportunity to do some great things. I thought with a name like "Tesla" -- that he'd do it justice and want to genuinely help. But ever since the Twitter Takeover, he has been losing favor with me. Now he seems like just another greedy and power-hungry C@pItalist.
6 years ago Abigail’s “brother” recorded an interesting video about Elon: https://youtu.be/5gnlhmaM-dM?si=rmX3dRJX2NJLt4P_
Interesting indeed. Thanks for sharing.
This is not a resource list but an insight on why we should boycott Amazon and more
https://leonardodeltoro.substack.com/p/amazon-is-a-prime-example-of-a-sick?r=gsxvz
Fantastic, thanks for sharing!
So…Ghost instead of Substack?
Indeed. That'll be the last post in the series, I think. I'm going to ride the substack wave for the moment, as there are a lot of great people here that are finding us. And I want to give Substack the opportunity to OpenSource themselves. If they don't -- then yes, we will eventually be moving to Ghost + Mastadon + PeerTube.
I cancelled my Amazon prime account. Instead of Kindle I got a reMarkable 2 and Boox (testing them out), and using Scribd/Everand for audiobooks/ebooks. For physical books, I use Thriftbooks and Powell’s bookstores. I replaced Amazon groceries with Imperfect Foods and Thrive Market. All the stuff I used to get on Amazon, I decided I no longer need, and I love how my garage is now empty of Amazon boxes:) The things I do need, I go directly to the store websites and buy directly from them. I don’t mind paying a little extra and I am ok not getting next day delivery. As much as possible I’ve tried to cut out Amazon. I’m still working on reducing and reusing. Not Amazon related, but, I really want to also add a wisephone…but I’m not quite ready to take that dive. Unless, a minimalist phone exists with a great camera?
Fantastic work! Thank you for sharing your experience and alternatives.
I hadn't seen Wisephone yet. It does look like a decent alternative, especially if minimalism is your goal. Just in case you hadn't seen it yet, we did an article on the Smart Phone, but it is geared more towards Open Source options than it is minimalism. https://bioharmony.substack.com/p/smartphone-sovereignty
Kanopy is a great app for free movies through your library
https://substack.com/profile/279325664-john-shane/note/c-103768094
Done and done.
I don't use any of the tech giants, except I still have a Facebook account to stay connected to relatives (they won't budge) and of course Amazon. The trouble with boycotting Amazon is that it is the only outlet that sells stuff we need. Pet food for picky cats, decent baking soda, organic coffee beans... I could go on. One thing I try to do is buy from small businesses via Amazon. I believe it should really be governments that break up these monopolies.
Good work so far.
Cats have been fed, and people have enjoyed baking soda and coffee all well before Amazon existed. They only re-sell what is already available and have very few of their own products. Sure, you might have to look a little harder, or order from multiple places. But Amazon is not the only outlet for stuff we need.
I do not trust the Federal Government to do anything in service of the people, especially if it contradicts where their money comes from. The tech Oligarchy and the Federal Governement are in bed with each other now.
It is up to the people.
I’m really struggling with finding Amazon/Target alternatives as my family (for the time being) posted abroad. Many things can be purchased on the local market - and it’s part of the joy of living abroad! But I am really struggling on OTC medicine. It’s often adulterated or fake on the local market. I’m trying to reach out to my network and see if I can pay someone to shop at a local pharmacy type place and ship it to me. I’ve tried with family but they’re pretty skeptical of my desire to boycott.
No judgement here for getting an important medicine. I would rather have you well. If we all do what we can, we will still see the change we need.
I have