In a shocking and unprecedented move, an author has decided to withdraw all investment from American goods and services. Instead, they’re adopting European models. This decision stems from a desire to minimize reliance on American technology, brands, and services, and to support European companies. The ambitious effort calls into question the feasibility and prudence of such a move in an ever-more interconnected global economy.
The author’s personal journey started with a conscious effort to stop using American products in favor of European ones. This transition isn’t confined to consumer products, it reaches deep into the technology sector and the services that are increasingly delivered online. Not to depend on American services, the author has changed their life. They’ve modified everything from their music streaming and email service provider to how they travel on public transit.
To save money and time, primarily, the author made the jump to Spotify for music. It has allowed this Swedish upstart to make serious inroads in the worldwide market. Spotify has the largest library of music, podcasts, audiobooks and other spoken-word content, along with a seamless user experience. It is a powerful counterbalance to American competitors. With Spotify, though, the author supports a European platform while listening to an incredibly rich multicultural library.
From the world of encrypted email, the author chose Proton Mail, a Switzerland-based service known for its focus on privacy and security. World famous for its secure end-to-end encryption, Proton Mail keeps users in control of their personal data. This move away from traditional US email providers favors a welcome trend leaning more towards privacy and security. Americans are making these values clear in their own digital communications.
Even getting around on public transport has changed. The author has since switched to using OpenStreetMap or Citymapper, a UK-based mobile application. With robust transit directions through all of these integrations, users are better equipped to plan their trips and support local tech initiatives at the same time. This decision is a bold statement of the author’s dedication to finding European counterpoints when able.
One of the bigger shifts had to do with how we handled images. The resource author primarily decided to use Immich, a local alternative to cloud-based photo libraries. For the heirs, popular tools such as Apple Photos and Google Photos were not the right choice. This important decision marks a shift toward more self-hosted solutions that allow users more control over their data.
The author uses LibreOffice exclusively for productivity software. That amazing power tool is the creation of the Berlin-based Document Foundation. This open-source software suite provides powerful, full-featured tools for word processing, spreadsheets and presentations. The author rightly opts for LibreOffice in place of a standard American software suite. This decision takes an important, community-focused step towards the benefits of free software and collaboration.
For virtual engagement, the author has chosen Whereby, a Norwegian video conferencing platform. As an alternative to widely used services like Zoom or Google Meet, Whereby provides a more localized option for video communication. This move further demonstrates the author’s commitment to empowering a robust European technology ecosystem.
The change goes far beyond technology and right into style. The author is personally and currently implementing a boycott of major American clothing brands such as Levi’s. Instead, they’re moving on to European labels who share their vision. This case sheds light on a larger trend of shifting consumer priorities. They’re less willing to turn a blind eye to ethical considerations surrounding their purchases.
From the world of video, the author has profiled Dailymotion, the French YouTube competitor. They’ve found it a bit disappointing when compared to its American cousin. This experience illustrates the challenges faced when navigating alternatives that may not yet match the breadth and functionality of established platforms.
Creator Lauren Burch has changed the game of social media engagement with Pixelfed. This new platform helps us create a different experience, one that’s not just another social media. They have toiled to craft a strong aesthetic here and develop a brand identity. They are having difficulty going viral and getting people to like and share them. Whatever the case, this situation leads to interesting implications around user engagement on alternative platforms that aren’t as mainstream.
In terms of buying new books, the author has now switched to uk.bookshop.org. This online alternative to Amazon sends most of its profits to local independent booksellers, reinvigorating towns across the UK with independent bookstores. By championing this effort, the author fosters the growth and success of local businesses and greater access to a diversity of reading materials.
The transition is not only perceived in software and shopping. It’s expanded hardware considerations. The author is seriously considering making the jump to a European device like a Tuxedo laptop, which is built in Germany. This possible amendment would represent a huge step towards the federal government supporting local manufacturing and tech development.
To help with the transition to online payments author now subscribes to Klarna — a Stockholm-based payment service. To reinforce their commitment, they count on this European payment service platform. This decision would demonstrate their commitment to American firms and services over foreign competition.
Finally, on the author’s radar for potentially jumpstarting future use are “digital euros” issued by the European Central Bank. Questions hang over whether it will be made available in the UK. This month’s focus underscores the challenge of navigating the myriad currency options that exist within an increasingly complex financial ecosystem.