Some reflections when I see those internet giants controlling our daily lives

DALL·E - A vibrant, detailed scene capturing the essence of technology monopolies, represented by towering skyscrapers with logos of major tech companies.

Twenty years ago, I was a student in a 5-year college. My major was international trade. The world was wild for globalization, and the internet was beginning.

We studied international trade rules in the commercial college, L/C, insurance of the cargo (on board or before on board, or other conditions), the difference between container terminals and freight stations, etc. Some rules are still workable in e-commerce. E-commerce or online shopping is still working on the basics of international trade.

As a student, I learned what we should pay attention to when a company wants to set up a branch company or expand its subsidiary in another country; the company needs to follow the local law and customs and respect the local culture, especially when a company needs to have advertisement or marketing events to promote their products. Also, the company should pay attention to the business ethics.

After twenty years, the world has become more flat with the internet. But those giant companies, i.g. Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Alphat, Bytedance, and Uber, don't think they need to follow local regulations, labour laws and taxes. They use technology to make users addicted to short videos, online shopping by more convenient payment, and impulse shopping.

We used to check our email (and spam folder) proactively, and some people have a checklist to remind them what to do. But people rely on internet technology to remind them to do things. We take responsibility and obligations before so many technologies, but technologies take responsibility and obligations nowadays. Technologies are driven by humanity, but technologies drive humans now.

People always say, "We don't have a choice". But we can choose to control our lives without over-reliance on technology.

There are increasingly antitrust or anti-monopolistic judgment cases with different governments and giant technology companies. But those enterprises have more resources and time are more than governments.

It is time to take our life back.

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Image Disclaimer

The image provided is for illustrative purposes only. It represents a creative interpretation of technology monopolies and the social behaviours influenced by social media, as generated by an AI-based tool. This artistic depiction is not intended to single out any specific company, individual, or behaviour. It is a fictional visualization meant to convey a concept and should not be taken as a factual representation of any real-world entity or event.