Bringing Back the 90’s
Resisting Ai, Smashing Authoritarianism, Upcoming Events, and a Free Upcycling Tutorial
Friends!
I hit a wall this week. With everything going on the world, I have been very focused on fighting ICE and authoritarianism while continuing to build and support community. It has been all-encompassing.
I have been deeply frustrated with the tech coercion and manipulation driven by endless propaganda about the inevitability and grand potential of Ai. I have had no spoons left to do much about it beyond push back against the propo machine.
Yesterday, however, I woke up and went to check my Fitbit so it could tell me how I slept (like I didn’t already know that I slept like shit). I found the app had completely changed and was now “Google Health run by Ai”.
That was it. I lost it. I took that Fitbit off and deleted the app. I felt oddly liberated. I don’t NEED this data; I just got used to having it. Emboldened, I went into the kitchen and tossed my Alexa. I got it for free when I bought my TV. I literally only used it as a radio and timer. I let big tech spy on me for years for a stupid radio and timer.
I bought a boom box with a CD player and radio. I busted out my 90’s CD collection. I am LOVING it! Why was I using that stupid Alexa? I’m now rocking out to Alanis Morisette’s Jagged Little Pill.
I am leaning in hard now. I’m evaluating every aspect of my life and asking – where else can I divest from the technology that is guzzling our natural resources and making the insanely wealth even wealthier?
Next, I hit my computer and phone. Goodbye Google Search. If you haven’t heard yet, Google will no longer be a search company, it will be an Ai company. I spent one hour transitioning over to DuckDuckGo. I went into my Gmail and turned off all Ai. I went to Chat GPT and deleted my account…I used it once to see what it was all about and then never again. While I don’t use it, I want to be sure they don’t get to claim me as a user simply because I once set up an account to do some research.
I went into Microsoft and made sure to turn off Gemini. None of these things took more than an hour. I realized I had been putting it off because I was so overwhelmed by everything else I just hadn’t made it a priority…and truthfully, I was not excited about the perceived inconvenience/changes.
I can confidently say, these changes feel GREAT and they feel liberating. This is so clearly a moment when WE, the people, can change the trajectory of our society simply by refusing to engage with this technology in all the ways we can AND organizing against data centers.
What can you do right now?
Work with your community to proactively (or responsively depending on what’s happening in your community) organize against data centers.
Utah, I’m looking at you and cheering you on!
Remember Erin Brockovich? Well, she is taking on data centers! Here is her new data center mapping website. You can see what is happening where and get involved.
Need some inspo? Read this.
Resist at the office
Ask questions and push back against Ai usage at your office.
64 percent of American adults plan to avoid using AI for “as long as possible,” according to a recent Gallup report. One study found 31 percent of employees (and 41 percent of Gen Z workers specifically) are actively working against their company’s AI initiatives. And 45 percent of CEOs say most of their employees are resistant or openly hostile to AI, according to another study. Keep this up!
b. Christians, you can try claiming religious exemption. Either it will work OR you could be the first to take this issue to court! The Pope just released an encyclical letter, Magnifica Humanitas, that has some real interesting things to say about Ai.
Disengage at home
Dump Siri and Alexa.
Turn off all Ai support everywhere you can (email, phone, tablet, Microsoft, etc.)
Leave Google Search.
Other options include DuckDuckGo, Brave Search, Ecosia, Bing – there are tons more. Look around and see which ones feels right for you. Turn off any Ai support if that is a feature.
Buy a watch or a pedometer – ditch the Fitbit
Connect with yourself, your brain, and other humans
Write, make art, join a group/club, read an actual book, go play outside, pretend it’s 1990!
I’ll have more for you in future newsletters but this is a start.
ORGANIZING IS FOR EVERYONE
Speaking of organizing a resistance, the mid-terms are in November (as you know) and it’s going to be a real make or break moment. We need to be organizing hard now in anticipation. We need to continue to push back against ICE, their new tactics, and authoritarianism.
States at the Core is offering a virtual pay-what-you-can summer camp and EVERYONE should sign up!
This is such an incredible resource!!! Attend as many dates as you can.
From their Substack:
When: Monday, June 8 – Friday, June 12, 2026 (90-min evening training sessions at 6 pm CT / 7 pm ET)
Where: Your living room (it’s 100% virtual!)
Schedule:
Mon 6/8: It’s all about Community Defense
Day 1 at camp will cover how to grow and make stronger community defense networks that are ready for what comes next… and next… and next.
Tues 6/9: You’ve got skills
Day 2 is all about those community organizing skills. We will focus on a set of fundamental organizing skills for expanding the capacity of our community defense work.
Wed 6/10: Do I have a story for you
Day 3 is about winning the popular narrative and melding our organizing with our stories. Learn practical skills for constructing the story, developing spokespersons, and engaging with the media.
Thus 6/11: Choose Your Adventure
Start the practical work of planning campaigns, developing strategic analysis, and integrating narrative work into your organizing.
Fri 6/12: Smashing is Fun!
Close out the week with a day of camp fun. We’ll host both a creative action training and a panel of movement leaders and experts on smashing authoritarianism!
We’ve already trained over 45,000 people at no cost. We believe that movement-building skills should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their bank account. This is a “pay-what-you-can” camp. Whether you can chip in $1 or $100, your contribution helps keep this work sustainable. But if things are tight, don’t sweat it—your presence and your energy are the most important things you can bring.
REGISTER HERE
Obviously, I’m a huge fan (I am doing work with them). This is top-tier organizing support my friends. Learn as much as you can and plug in.
UPCOMING EVENTS
June and July are all about Chicago Public Libraries and The Joyful Menace Society.
Not in the area? That’s ok. I have several virtual events for Joyful Menace Society Members. Join for as little as $3/month.
THE WASTE SHED EVANSTON
Our friends at the WasteShed in Evanston have been working hard to find a new location and they could use some help with moving costs. If you have a few dollars to support, please do!
Donate Here
ANALOG JOY
The Joyful Menace Society crafts aren’t just embroidery. This month, I taught folks how to upcycle their old books into these darling roses. I’m obsessed. I’ve made so many. They are easy to make, beautiful, and offer an excuse to head to the thrift shops for some lovely glass vases.
Tutorial Here
In Other News
My spider plants won’t stop having sex. These are the babies from the 5 plants I have (which are all babies from 1 plant I got 3 years ago). I brought them to my therapists office for folks to take - emotional support plants.
I also learned that in Cuba these plants are called Mala Madres and OMG I will only refer to them as such from now on. The “bad mother” plants are called so because they throw their babies overboard. Brilliant.
I was so excited to make doily baskets. I was going to make a tutorial for you all. I don’t know what the fuck I did wrong but it was an absolute fail. I had to toss all of them. I shall try again using a different method soon. Fails are a huge part of the process. Never forget.
Thanks for reading! I look forward to seeing you at the Smash Authoritarianism Summer Camp!
In Solidarity, Shannon