Who Am I?

Once upon a time, I would have said "I'm an IT Support Specialist". Then it would have been "Military Police" followed by "Krav Maga Instructor", back to "IT Support Specialist" and finally "Software Engineer."

It was a time when I identified myself by my career, and my career defined who I was. That's no longer the case, I think. These days, I'd just say that I'm Kevin, and I'm trying to figure out how (and where) I fit into this increasingly foreign world and society.

Everywhere you look, there are more stories and articles about Orwellian surveillance, the erosion of privacy, the proliferation of AI and an onslaught of data centers. Of course, this could just be "my reality" - but there's no way to break out of it, because the algorithms are what control our feeds now, continuously deciding what's worthy or not...

So I've decided I'm DONE. With All of it.

I remember when we didn't have a computer in our pocket, constantly demanding our attention. I remember only being able to get on the internet for an hour, because we still needed the phone. I remember when buying something meant you owned it, and companies made products that provided value to the customer - not the other way around. They were simpler times, and in a way, I'd prefer to go back.

I do not consent to

• Providing my personal information just to use a computer or website
• Having my data harvested by big tech and every other online service for their profit
• Constant surveillance, online and off, that's then used to train AI or fed to advertisers (or government)
• Others dictating and deciding what's safe or appropriate for me to see, do, or consume

The main purpose of this site is to detail my journey of discarding "modern necessities" and getting back to the basics.

• I'll be focusing on my health and fitness, training in nature instead of relying on fancy gym equipment and weights
• I'll be getting rid of excess belongings, working to follow a more minimalist lifestyle
• I'll be removing myself from big tech and AI, focusing on technology that actually respects our data & privacy rather than harvesting it for corporate profit
• I'll be growing my own food and shopping local, helping to build a strong local economy
• And eventually, I'll even get rid of my vehicle, planning to rely on a bicycle for daily commutes.

If you'd like to follow my journey, subscribe for free - You can choose from the following newsletters, depending on your interests:

The Daily Grind

"The Daily Grind" is a newsletter focused on my lifestyle shift. I'll be discussing and sharing my journey to minimalism, building my garden, and the adventures I go on - including hiking, camping, and kayaking.

The Sovereign Stack

"The Sovereign Stack" is tech-focused and local first. This may be of interest if you're into building software, self-hosting, 3D printing, or want to end your reliance on big tech and disposable, poor-quality consumer goods

On the Move

Finally, "On the Move" is all about mobility. The main focus here will be bicycling and rucking - How to build, pack, and repair your setup and / or gear.