So, I posted an article on Stacker News about the bleak future of custom Android ROMs. Enter stage left: a keyboard warrior who launched into a tirade about Google Services. According to them, anyone using GrapheneOS with Google Services is basically a shill, and you should boycott every app that dares to touch the Google ecosystem. Because, you know, purity.

I calmly suggested they take that advice to my bank. That’s when the conversation took a sharp left turn into “Why do you still use a fiat bank?!” — as if having a real bank account makes me some kind of clueless fool.

I had to remind them: I’m not a carefree hipster lounging on a beach in Central America with zero responsibilities. I’m in my 50s, have kids, a mortgage, and a job that requires direct deposit. Unless I want to turn down paychecks, I kinda need a bank. Shocking, I know.

Here’s the thing: I’m so tired of these Freedom Tech zealots who have nothing but their Bitcoin wallets and a chip on their shoulder, acting like they’re the digital messiahs sticking it to the man.

Believe me, I’d love to live in a Bitcoin/Lightning economy. I want to stick it to the man too. But spoiler alert: I live in the real world, where sometimes you have to play by the rules and slowly dip your toes into rebellion. Because a lot rides on us not burning the whole system down overnight.

Honestly, it pisses me off. And yeah, I’m jealous of those beach hipsters. But it’s not my reality right now. So maybe they can keep their high-and-mighty attitude to themselves — thanks.