Did you know that I once had ambitions of being a tech blogger? Before I came to be a Linux content creator, I had several blogs that “covered” technology and gadgets. I even started a podcast about Tech and such with my friends. We still do that podcast to this day, but we now just review movies. I really loved the idea of making tech blogging my career. I loved new gadgets, and the idea that companies would send cool things to me for free? That was awesome.

I wasn’t any good at it though. I was very young (in my early 20s), and I didn’t really have any original ideas. I was just another Engadget or Gizmodo, and not even a good one. It was fun, and I learned a lot about blogging and content creation. I learned a lot about what not to do too. And I made a few friends that I still cherish to this day.

But my view on tech blogs has done a 180 since that time. I’m no longer the capitalist I once was. I’ve become much more anti-consumerist in the last few years. I still buy too much, and my subscriptions are out of control, but I’m more aware of those facts than ever before. What I’ve come to realize is that tech blogs and tech/gadget YouTubers have really only one purpose: get you to buy the stuff they showcase.

They’re not malicious, or at least most of them aren’t. They’re just doing a thing that people are interested in, and they should be applauded for doing so. But really, the only reason you should watch a review about the iPhone 17 Pro Max is if you’re going to buy one. If you’re watching without that intention, then you leave yourself open to be swayed by the shiny new thing.

I know this because I do like watching the likes of Mr. Mobile on YouTube. I have no intention, or so I say, of buying the phones and such that he reviews, but I still watch. And by watching, I often dream of owning the thing that he’s showcasing. Tech blogs do the same thing. Almost every post on The Verge is about something you can buy. Tech companies love this, because it is 100% free advertising for their new toy. Sure it backfires when their product is crap, but even then, they get coverage for free. And that coverage can sway people who may not have bothered to buy their thing in the first place.

I don’t want to be roped into this anymore, so I’ve removed a lot of subscriptions to tech blogs and tech YouTubers in the last few weeks. As I see new videos come out, I go and unsubscribe. I don’t need to be prompted to buy new stuff. I have what I need. When it dies, I’ll buy something else, but until then, what I have is working great. My tech nerd, the idiot with a spending problem in my head, wants the new shiny thing, so feeding him content that would provide temptation isn’t a good thing.