have learned, over time, after 20+ years of investigative journalism that when people risk their lives (or livelihood) to bring out an important story or critical information you must all along be willing to sacrifice your own life (or livelihood) to protect: 1) the source/s and 2) the information the source/s risked a lot to bring out to light.

In just over two months from now Techrights turns 20 and I believe I kept my committent and stuck to my principles as explained above. It’s not always the easiest thing to do. It is, however, the moral thing to do and the right choice.

Society must look up to people like him, not greedy people who hoard money and power, not “pay it forward” to those in dire need (of a voice, not necessarily money)

‘ve long respected Paul Robeson (for decades already) not just for his excellent, strong voice and learning of new languages, which he then used to communicate internationally (this reminded me of RMS). In the face of controversy and risk (the US tried to ostracise and sanction him) he persisted in his activism, using his good name and reputation to do something risky without monetary gain/rewards.

A recently-deceased French model did the same for animals. She died as controversial because she opposed the same “Establishment” that had helped her rise to fame.

Don’t rise to power. Fight unjust power.

oday I spoke with my in-laws (in their native tongue; I speak over 3 languages already, some better than others) and as elderly people, one of whom turns 80 in less than a year, one who never experienced old age is reminded about the hardships of old age (my own parents are younger, they are both 70).

When you are under 40, you might count how many years it has been since becoming adult or studying or working or marrying. At some point later in life the count refers to “time to live” or “time until retirement”, i.e. the numbers become smaller each year. After retirement it’s almost always just “time to live” (depending on one’s physical health).

More religious people think in terms like “afterlife” or “time to Heaven”, but superstition is not a harmless, victimless fantasy. Some people exploit this fantasy to work people to death, to make themselves richer. Some offer them alcohol (to sedate them) – that damages their body and kills them sooner.

E are exactly two weeks away from Rianne’s birthday and gift ideas need to be based around sentimental value this year, not monetary value. Jewellery and other ‘vanity items’ have always been a waste of money (hard work and sometimes child labour for a bunch of pebbles or metals or whatever). Over the course of three weeks a lot can be done to convert time into joy and joy lasts much longer in the mind than in the shop.

It takes courage and work to make gifts that aren’t just something one scans at the checkout (till) but instead produces one way or another.

The older I get, the more obvious it seems gifting in the “Traditional” (with capital T) sense became merely consumerism and we’re far detached from real scarcities, which aren’t something one can purchase. I was never fond of consumerism and birthdays; over time it becomes easier to explain the “whys”.

OMORROW we unofficially go on “holiday” or a weeks-long vacation, even if it is a stay-cation and most travel will be to places nearby. We don’t plan much shopping, windows “shopping” can be fun too.

A week after Rianne’s birthday it’ll be Bank Holiday, then we’ll be back to normal.

I plan not to check E-mail much. It’ll be as if I’m away somewhere in a distant island (like I was less than a decade ago).

With Rianne by my side, life is always a joy.

Keep it simple, stupid (KISS).

Being “offline” is not a state of misery but a sign of contentment.

T has been almost 43 years since Richard M. Stallman (“RMS”), “The Last MIT Hacker”, started GNU. He was about 30 at the time and he later quit his job to focus on GNU and avoid a conflict of interest.

I quit my job when I was 40 to focus on various endeavours and I have no regrets; if anything, there’s room to regret not doing so sooner. I could have done and written so much more (had I quit sooner), but at least I saved enough money to defend against lawfare.

Frugal lifestyles have earned credibility (resurgence) as the economies sank, energy became more scarce (or expensive), and political problems more profound. If you’re not seeking to become part of the solution you might be a passive component (or “cog”) of the problem.

The world needs more activists, not more capital.

omeone recently asked me about devoting money to Software Freedom causes so as to focus on what is right, what one is “meant” to do as it is better devoting one’s capacity/potential/knowledge/energy/experience/recognition to maximise public good. It makes perfect sense because life is finite and money does not go into one’s grave. It is meant to be used for something, not to be hoarded. Hoarding is in human’s nature and it is a weakness, nothing to be boastful about.

I am thankful and truly grateful for the fact that my life is rewarding and satisfying, with few exceptions here and there (not every moment is perfect). Vices and online additions are not necessary. Compared to peers and relatives, my life is good, it’s better than theirs. I am happier, freer (as in free will), healthier, and richer (except in monetary terms) than them. Some people I know became slaves to (or of) money – to the point of being willing to work from every morning until every night (maybe 60-80 hours a week) to make someone else or some large company richer. They seem to fail to grasp that those salaries are merely a form of compensation for them compromising their best years (of one’s life), plus abandoning the prospect/potential for self-determination while dragging down both physical and mental health (of most staff, most of the time). It’s a fast-corroding, slowly-progressing experience (corrosion is silent, not sudden) that over time shortens people’s lives. In my 40s I can still do a fullstack circuit” at the gym like I did my in 20s. I have hardly lost muscle mass/weight, only relative strength, and my stamina probably improved owing to regular jogging.

Ultra-capitalists dislike such ideas because they rely on intellectual people becoming their de facto slaves and brown-nosing management for pay increases and better job titles (the latter are merely symbolic rewards, a fake “status” nobody objectively cares about).

Safety and mental comfort (calm, zen) cannot be taken for granted either, more so in world full of conflicts and scarcities. To love and be loved is easier said than done, but that too is attainable. One must actively pursue it, not follow herds.