Breaking up with Big Tech

About this event

Concerned about how much of your life runs through a handful of tech companies, but not sure what to actually *do* about it? Let's figure it out together!

A weekly club for people ready to make small, values-aligned changes to the tech they use.

In this club, we're not going completely off-grid. It's about getting more intentional with the technology tools we're using on a daily basis- figuring out which tools actually fit your values, and what's realistic for you to change, with support and a little accountability from the group.

Mostly virtual, with two in-person bookends. Meet over lunch from your desk or couch, plus two in-person sessions at MLK Library to kick off and close out the series together. Expect the virtual sessions themselves to use some of the alternative tools we're exploring- it will be a great opportunity to assess and test them.

Schedule

Date Format Topic Monday, October 5 In-person kick off, 5:30-7pm Values benchmarking, threat modeling, and setting up a password manager Monday, October 12 Virtual lunchtime session, 12pm-1pm Browsing + search alternatives Monday, October 19 Virtual lunchtime session, 12pm-1pm Email + messaging alternatives Monday, October 26 Virtual lunchtime session, 12pm-1pm Social media: guest speaker on "pro-social" media Monday, November 2 Virtual lunchtime session, 12pm-1pm Cleanup + data minimization Monday, November 9 Virtual lunchtime session, 12pm-1pm File sharing + cloud storage alternatives Monday, November 16 In-person closing, 5:30-7pm Debrief + celebration

Why now?

October 4-10 is National Digital Inclusion Week - a perfect time to think about the technology embedded in our lives and how to make it better serve us all. Privacy, misinformation, sustainability, and opaque algorithms have been concerning consumers for years. AI's rapid rise is amplifying those concerns and making these questions harder to ignore, so this is a good moment to pause and reassess the tools we rely on every day.

FAQ

Is this a course? No formal instruction- it's a club. We'll have guided discussion and content, not step-by-step tutorials, because there's no single right alternative tech tool or system for everyone; it depends on your goals. Looking for a formal technology class? See our web calendar.

What are the days and times? First and last sessions: Monday evenings, in person at MLK Library.

Everything else: virtual, over lunch. Register to get the join links.

What if I miss a session? This club builds on itself and on the group you meet. Please plan to attend as many sessions as you can.

Do I need my own device? Yes, bring whatever you use most (phone, computer, or tablet). DCPL will not provide devices.

What do I need to install? Nothing required. You're welcome to create accounts or try apps/extensions at your own discretion.

What skills do I need? Basic comfort with email, texting, social media, video calls, file sharing, and creating accounts. You won't have to try everything but come willing to experiment. W