So very true. Which is why I came up with this solution: https://lemmy.ml/post/35631753/20907108

Here’s how to drop YouTube in a much more easier fashion. Start by weaning yourself off the algorithm. As the algorithms may as well be big tech corpos way of pushing out drugs on the users to keep them scrolling; enslaved. I’ve also blocked all big tech and mainstream social garbage platforms via my PiHole server, along with a huge blacklist for my SearXNG instance for filtering search results (but that’s a whole other topic). The removal of all the noise of the Internet has done wonders for me, which also helped my creativity come back so I could pick up writing again, digital art, and pick up learning Japanese again.

Anyway, to make YouTube less relevant to you, start using Invidious instances: https://api.invidious.io/?sort_by=health. And use these scripts that I personally had ChatGPT devise for me for the sake of my sanity (you’ll need TamperMonkey for these):

https://greasyfork.org/en/scripts/548556-invidious-clean-view-with-list-view-of-thumbnails-and-threshold-control

https://greasyfork.org/en/scripts/548558-invidious-remove-all-caps-mrbeast-keyword-channel-filter-with-exclusions-redirect

**Oh, and use LibRedirect: ** https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/libredirect/

Also, so you are less tempted to go to the YouTube domain itself, add these to your hosts file:

#Youtube Block
127.0.0.1   www.youtube.com
127.0.0.1   www.m.youtube.com
127.0.0.1   accounts.youtube.com
127.0.0.1   youtube.com
127.0.0.1   m.youtube.com
127.0.0.1   youtube-nocookie.com
127.0.0.1   www.youtube-nocookie.com
127.0.0.1   img.youtube.com
127.0.0.1   i.ytimg.com
127.0.0.1   yt3.ggpht.com

When you do all of this, you finally will get clarity and see that YouTube really doesn’t have all that much to offer in the end. I know I did.

Now, to avoid any potential algorithmic manipulation in the future:

For Odysee (also Bit-chute and Peertube), use RSS. Follow only things you want to follow. I personally use RSS Guard with JavaScript filtering as well to play my videos with; so, I hardly have a need to open a web browser anymore.

I decided to share all of this because it really helped me free myself from anything Google now; yes, even went back to a flip phone and standard MP3 player. I hardly have a need to search for anything on Invidious instances with all the RSS feeds I have of available content creators now. But the filtering really helped.

Hopefully my solution is great for someone. They just have be willing to take the initiative.

I enjoy browsing videos and reading webcomics too much to go back to a flip phone though.

If you also do that when going out, It means you are going about going outside the wrong way then. 😁

Hmm… I don’t have this problem in Calgary.

You block me and then unblock me to reply again? What a drama skank you are. Proof you use the mainstream platforms still; you seek out drama online because you clearly got nothing better to do. Other than let social media algorithms control your life.

I made a valuable suggestion to use RSS to take want you wanted to follow on platforms like Odysee. You threw it back in my face for the sake of a petty circle jerk conversation. You just remind why people online are such losers (more so than ever today). Blocking you now, loser. You’re not worth any further effort. And if you reply after I blocked you, that just proves my point. Now, doesn’t it?

Why bother? I’m even tempted to delete the account on here after only a day. Because for me, all I affirmed to myself is that people are losers who seek out to create unnecessary drama.

Why make an account? There is RSS available on the site. So, use it.

And I see people (you for example) who love drama as liars. Because why are you on here crying over YouTube still then if Peertube is enough? If anyone is looking foolish, it’s you. 😁

Then you have no right to complain over how Google exploits you. Your argument is a weak one. Is it just me, or do people on forums and such just go to whine online for the sake of it? 🙂

Not a good argument.

Just use RSS for what you want from Odysee, Peertube and even Bit-chute. Then forget the rest. It’s what I’ve done. I’ve got no problem with it. Really is that simple.

Nah, hard pass on YouTube.

Just use RSS for what you want from Odysee, Peertube and even Bit-chute. Then forget the rest. It’s what I’ve done. I’ve got no problem with it.

Your argument doesn’t hold much weight.

After all the scripting I’ve done with tampermonkey for Invidious to filter all the clickbait crap, along with removing the thumbnails and clickbait titles, and videos under a certain duration (shorts), along with clickbaity channels, YouTube in its entirely has really nothing to offer these days.

If you cut through the illusion that YouTube has much of anything to offer other than the same recycled content, it becomes quite apparent.

So, I am happy with alternative platforms like Odysee, Peertube and Bit-chute; all with RSS.

Odysee, Peertube and Bit-chute are also great. Especially when you use RSS with them.

Stop using all Google products. That’s your petition.

You play in Google’s ecosystem, you get your control taken away; just like with any other big tech ecosystem. Don’t want to play that game? Then don’t use any products made by them. It’s that simple.

Cash? And avoid banks that force apps?

You want to keep your soul? Then go back to the old way of doing things. Using a paper map that shows all the routes. And to get bus schedule times, I’m sure they have something like Teleride that you can call or text. It’s what I do; considering I went back to a flip phone for the sake of my sanity.

I gave up and went back to a flip phone. XP3plus. More durable, way less of a headache compared to smartphones that are high maintenance. Sure, it runs Android. But they big factor is, it’s a scaled down version of Android; it comes that way out of the box. Just basic apps and no app store. It’s been a breath of fresh air.

Best part? It’s designed to be a utility. Not a human pacifier with social media apps.