Damn it Jim, we're a bookclub , not a global NGO.

In other words the bookclub is run as an entity with no moral duty to those outiside of it. However as an individual I try to be as ethical as I am able, and so bookclub is no longer active on facebook as I get to pick that; does not link to amazon or its affiliates when I do the typing; and I dont buy Brew Dog when its my round. No judgement on anyone, we all do what we think is right when we think we can do it.

But in my quest to shape the world somewhat with my time, attention and money; here are some services ive stopped using and what i have or could swich to.

audible- libro.fm

no amazon, drm free, supports local bookshops including portal books.

kindle- Kobo

not a walled garden, allows you to import books and supports the libray apps.

kindle unlimited- libby and borrow box.

Supports struggling libaries as they can be funded based on a library users. Many libaries have different sized catalogues so worth looking around. Liverpool library my favourite and can be joined online.

Amazon books- literally anything else

local bookshops, waterstones, world of books for second hand online.

Problematic creators (JK Rowling, David and Leigh Eddings, etc etc)- Charity shops

Art from artist may well be inseperable, or not; but I try to at least seperate from the artists wallet if they're failing basic moral challenges.

LLM- just not doing that

Its not AI, it is driven by theft and climate destruction, and it does seem to be faddish and not as useful as it claims in most cases. i just dont.

Large scale social media (FB etc)- curated groups

im still on FB messenger, its where my friends are. But my social media is limited to groups with a defined, small-medium membership and my posts targetted. It makes me happier and avoids supporting some real wazzaks.

Good Reads- Bookwyrm? Story Graph?

Havent used either, but Goodreads increasingly a poorly supported amazon data harvesting job.

Im aware no one reads me here. But i find writing at an audience, however imaginary (bar Emma), helps me clarrify my thoughts, and those then better shape my actions going forward. I also hope that if someone (other than Emma) does accidentaly read this it isnt too preachy. Im aware im preaching the obvious to the absent choir; but you never know. Dropping off facebook has had no detectable impact on their ad revenue. Doesnt mean I didnt feel it was incorrect to remain there. This is written with the same mentality.

i now need to start weaning myself off apple as i sit here with apple tv, apple watch, apple phone and apple subscription. They seem more standard corporate dodgy, rather than in bed with evil dodgy, but still. Will keep getting apple+ for the sci-fi though. Unreasonably good stuff there.

The image is relevent, but absolutely horrific in every way. I have no answers.

This is a repost of a document the myself and Kara bashed out (that double entendre is allowable, see below)

The Beevis principle:

It's appropriate to giggle if someone uses the word “hard” in a way that can be construed as sexual, but it is not appropriate to suggest that someone else makes you hard.

Serial murderers only:

Individual assasination is permitted, but going after groups is just bad manners.

Be intelligently critical about whatever individual you care to be, although pushback will occur. But if you go after groups I will loudly rant at you for upwards of 15 minutes.

Examples to consider:

"Andrew, your sexy toes make me want to spend some quality alone time with myself." 

(Failure. Fails the Beevis principle)

"And on that farm he had a rooster, ey i ey i oo. With a cock-a-doodle here…"

"He said cock!"

(Success. Good quality humour, laughs all around)

"Andrew, your beard revolts me and should not be tolerated on you or anyone else, I'm looking at you Paul Hollywood."

(Failure. Is not intelligent criticism and targets a group)

"Andrew, your opinions about the works of Neal Stephenson are just plain wrong. He clearly just prints Wikipedia and poorly stitches it together. Your love of his work is a personal failing."

(Success. It's intelligent, if inaccurate, and I will now argue with you)

Happy new year my imagined audience and possibly Emma. Bookclub will continue into a new year proudly striding forward like a small tipsy social club with a commited following. Challenges will come and we'll mostly ignore them; but when push comes to shove we will verbally set the world to rights. Apart many of us do amazing, important things; but together its nice to just have a break and talk about books and stuff.