I used to be enamored with computers, fascinated at the magic. Now I use my skills to help elderly neighbors, non-profits, co-ops, and other ~public services. I

I used to be enamored with computers, fascinated at the magic. Now I use my skills to help elderly neighbors, non-profits, co-ops, and other ~public services. I see more clearly the layers upon layers on which computers are built, and I think back to Hugh Howey's Wool omnibus; put too much stock in these complicated things we make and when the next collapse occurs it'll be worse because we'll have eroded much of the skills, practices, values and culture that got humanity to this point in the first place. I'm not even pushing hard for my child to learn to read and write on an urgent timeline; sure, that "basic" technology is important, but more important is secure attachment with family and friends, and ability to be both creative and discerning. We're a story-driven species, and increasingly I narrow my computer use to serve this. Even though videogames are largely about story, I finally quit (again- my post history might show I've quit before) weeks ago, deleting all my online game accounts (even Steam! Before a few months ago I never imagined I would do such a thing) and giving away my Steam Deck. No regerts at all- I feel unburdened, as I always do when it's time to let go of another grappling hook. I'm in my 40s btw, and it's been a long road of decluttering, mentally and physically. My point is, computers are just a tool, a very complex tool that few if any of us can make in our workshop anymore (I'm thinking mostly of people with less than, say, double what they need for subsistence, and I'm no fan of systems that allow for massive wealth accumulation by a few individuals- a few of them may well have the knowledge, skills, abilities, and control of resources to make a modern computer in their workshop, depending on to what degree we consider others' labor to be owned), and I don't see them as necessary to a meaningful life. I am digging into one of the BSDs, to get further away from gaming (it's an addiction for me, so I'm reducing triggers), because I like using old hardware (embodied energy, Reduce/Reuse/"Recycle"), and because I'm curious- I'm not out of my own intermittent depression, and I make time to tinker with computers only when I choose to. Rehabilitating the land to sustain us is far more important and engaging, including reading, observing, exploring, wondering, and a lot of communication (local politics, in a constructive way, towards participatory democracy). good luck!