You Will Own Nothing and Like It | Consumer Rights in the Digital Age | History of the Internet Episode 13

Ryan Haylett

You will own nothing, and be happy. That's the cliff notes on Ubisoft’s recent comments. Apparently, they think we need to “get comfortable” with not owning things—specifically video games in this instance.

Dave Rowley

Yeah, that one... it honestly didn't sit right with me. My Steam library is huge, but being told I should accept not having ownership? That feels... borderline dystopian.

Ryan Haylett

Exactly! And it’s not just games—think about software. Adobe Creative Cloud? It’s like, you’re tied into this never-ending subscription cycle. You’re not owning the tools; you’re kind of leasing your creativity.

Dave Rowley

Right. You’re dependent on that monthly payment to access tools you’ve spent years mastering. And, on top of that, you’re risking losing access to your own projects. I mean, if a company changes its pricing or... just pulls the plug?

Ryan Haylett

Yeah, or if you want to break up with Adobe, and use other software. Boom, gone.

Dave Rowley

There’s something about owning physical media—whether it's software, movies, games or even music. There’s this sense of permanency. I have been collecting these things for years, and even now, decades later, they’re still mine to use. No company can take that away.

Ryan Haylett

Yeah, totally! That physical ownership, it’s not just about practicality but also peace of mind. You’ve got it—you can literally hold it in your hands. But with digital-only, you’re kind of at their mercy. And what guarantees do we have?

Dave Rowley

None, really. Remember how some old music servers got shut down a few years back, and people lost everything they’d paid for? And that’s not even rare anymore—it’s becoming the norm.

Ryan Haylett

But the saddest bit is how we just roll with it. It’s so convenient that no one stops to think, “Wait, do I actually own this?” And companies, they know we’ll prioritize convenience over rights every time.

Dave Rowley

I don't know if we even have a choice anymore. Again, look at Adobe. If you're a creative professional, it’s practically impossible to switch to anything else without... re-learning everything. They’ve built this reliance system where, if you leave, you're kind of starting over. That’s, well, frustrating.

Ryan Haylett

It’s like they’ve architected this kind of digital captivity. Sure, it looks shiny, but once you're in? Good luck breaking out.

Dave Rowley

It's a tax on your creativity, and almost like you no longer even own your own work.

Ryan Haylett

So, slave-ware.

Dave Rowley

That's an interesting way to put it.

Ryan Haylett

Let’s pick up on that frustration for a moment—how companies not only make it hard to own what we buy, but sometimes even block us from fixing it when it breaks. Doesn’t that just sound like the next level of ridiculous?

Dave Rowley

It does, but that’s the reality for so many modern products. I mean, think about cars. You can’t just take your car to any mechanic anymore; manufacturers restrict access to tools and parts. It’s frustrating.

Ryan Haylett

In 2018 BMW locked heated seats behind a subscription service. $18 a month to keep your ass from freezing to your seat... There are zero reasons to put a feature like this as a subscription, you already bought the car!

Dave Rowley

So if those heated seats fail, not only would you continue to pay a subscription, you would have to bring it to a certified BMW shop, and pay a premium for your premium...

Ryan Haylett

Let's just go back to bicycles, this is getting out of hand...

Dave Rowley

And it’s not just cars—this is happening with phones, computers, even farm equipment. Like, you’ve got farmers out there who can’t fix their own tractors because everything’s locked behind proprietary software. It’s insane.

Ryan Haylett

Yeah, it’s as if the entire landscape has shifted. Back in the ‘60s or ‘70s, you could grab schematics with your purchase. Everything was repairable. Now? Companies act like repairing your own stuff could, I don’t know, void the laws of physics or something.

Dave Rowley

And that’s exactly what the Right to Repair is about, right? Like, pushing back on this. I was reading that organizations like iFixit have been advocating for the past decade, trying to get laws passed.

Ryan Haylett

And it’s working... to a degree. You’ve got laws active in 24 states now, and in five—New York, California, Minnesota, Oregon, and Colorado—electronics repair legislation has passed. It’s a win, for sure, but it’s still an uphill battle.

Dave Rowley

Right? And even then, there are these loopholes. Companies find ways to say, “Oh, sure, you can repair your things... but only with our parts, our tools, and, oh yeah, they’re ridiculously expensive.” So, are we really winning?

Ryan Haylett

Not entirely. But the movement itself is gaining awareness, and I think that’s key. Americans—about one in five—are now directly impacted by these laws, which is a big deal. It’s proof that, culturally at least, people value the idea of owning and fixing their stuff.

Dave Rowley

And it’s such a no-brainer! I mean, if you bought something, you should be able to maintain it, tinker with it, whatever.

Ryan Haylett

This idea that a product is more like a lease—it’s absurd. Honestly, it feels like a power grab.

Dave Rowley

It is. Plus, it forces more waste. When repair isn’t an option, people just trash an entire device over... I don’t know, a dead capacitor or something equally fixable. That’s bad for the environment and consumers.

Ryan Haylett

Exactly! But this corporate resistance? It’s embedded. Like, I heard that some companies even block third-party repair shops from accessing basic parts. It’s literally cheaper to buy a new item—not because it has to be but because they’ve made it that way.

Dave Rowley

And they fight back hard. We’ve seen companies throw so much money into lobbying efforts to stop right-to-repair legislation. They frame it as protecting “trade secrets,” but most times? It’s just about control.

Ryan Haylett

It’s about keeping you dependent. Dependent on their repair services, their parts, their everything. And they’ll couch it in convenience, like, “Why worry about repair? Just get a new one.” Slowly, they’ve conditioned us to think this is normal.

Dave Rowley

It’s not, though. That’s why I’m encouraged by movements like this. They’re a reminder that, hey, we don’t have to roll with these rules. If we keep the momentum going, we might see a real shift eventually.

Ryan Haylett

Yeah. Still, until then, it’s up to us—consumers—to push back where we can. Stick with brands that promote repairability, vote with your wallet, and, honestly, just speak up about it.

Dave Rowley

Alright, speaking of control, let’s unpack this idea of “slave ware” as someone put it. It’s such a bold term, but honestly, it hits the nail on the head.

Ryan Haylett

These endless subscriptions, locking tools behind paywalls—it feels like users are being shackled to their software, just like how repairability is restricted. You’re basically paying rent on your creativity.

Dave Rowley

Exactly. And the worst part? It’s not just the financial commitment. When your access depends entirely on paying that subscription fee, you lose control.

Ryan Haylett

It puts a metaphorical lock on your work—the years you’ve spent creating, building. That’s, well, terrifying.

Dave Rowley

Yeah, it’s like a trap. You invest all this time mastering a tool—looking you you agian, Adobe, and then, even if you wanna move to something else? You can’t. Your projects are stuck. You’re stuck. It’s like they’ve designed the system to hold you hostage.

Ryan Haylett

That’s exactly it. They’ve created dependence. Compare that to tools you pay for once—Affinity, for instance. You buy it, you own it, you use it for as long as you need. No strings attached, no looming deadlines to keep using your files. It’s a completely different mindset.

Dave Rowley

Right? And beyond that, there’s open-source software. There’s such a beauty in those alternatives—tools built by and for communities, with actual freedom at their core. Tools like GIMP or Inkscape. You’re not paying a cent, and better yet, you’re not tied to terms that can change overnight.

Ryan Haylett

Yeah, open source really demonstrates what’s possible when profit isn’t the sole motivator.

Dave Rowley

But it does rely on communities pitching in, whether through development or financial support. I think, increasingly, people are starting to realize the value in that kind of ecosystem.

Ryan Haylett

Exactly! And here’s the thing: there’s power in how we respond. Like, supporting alternatives—whether it’s open source or subscription-free software—that’s a step in the right direction. But advocacy matters too.

Dave Rowley

Absolutely. Pushing for initiatives like Right to Repair fits into this broader picture too, doesn’t it? It’s all about reclaiming autonomy—over our devices, our work, and even our choices. It's about opting for sustainable, user-centric practices.

Ryan Haylett

It is, yeah, and we’re seeing that shift more broadly. People are kind of waking up and asking, “Why am I okay with this?” I think what we really need next is for brands and developers to take notice. To start giving us options again—not just for repair, but for how we pay, how we access our tools, everything.

Dave Rowley

And it’s worth emphasizing that alternatives aren’t just hypothetical. They already exist. If more people start seeking those out, it’s eventually gonna create market pressure. But, you know, we have to start somewhere.

Ryan Haylett

Totally. Whether it’s moving to a tool like Affinity, supporting open-source tools, or just raising awareness, every little action adds up. The more momentum we build, the harder it’ll be for companies to ignore.

Ryan Haylett

So, with all this momentum building—from people backing alternatives like open-source tools to advocacy for the Right to Repair—how do we take it even further? It feels like consumers are finally pushing back, reclaiming some autonomy in this crazy consumer landscape.

Dave Rowley

It really is. And it’s wild to think about how much has shifted. I mean, we’re looking at a landscape where convenience often overrides our rights to, you know, actually own what we buy. But it doesn’t have to stay this way.

Ryan Haylett

Exactly. If there’s one takeaway from all of this, it’s that we’ve got to be proactive. Whether it’s supporting Right to Repair, looking out for subscription-free tools, or simply speaking up about the importance of consumer rights, every small choice matters.

Dave Rowley

Totally. And I think it’s also about awareness, isn’t it? Just opening people’s eyes to how much control we’ve handed over and what we’re losing in the process. Once you see it, you can start making changes—whether that’s buying physical media, opting for repairable products, or even exploring open-source alternatives.

Ryan Haylett

Right. And honestly, technology should empower us, not make us dependent or, worse, kind of... stuck. I mean, we’ve all felt it, that moment of realizing how limited we are because of some subscription or a lack of ownership over our work. But that doesn’t have to define the future.

Dave Rowley

Exactly. It’s about reclaiming that control, making deliberate choices that prioritize ownership and sustainability. And while it might feel overwhelming, change always starts small—one purchase, one choice, one conversation.

Ryan Haylett

Couldn’t have said it better myself. So, if you’re out there wondering how to get a handle on your digital world—and your business’s digital presence—why not start now? Head over to modularity.us and get a quote today. Let’s make sure your digital experience not only works for you, but also keeps you in control.

Dave Rowley

And that’s it for today, folks. Thanks for joining us on this deep dive into consumer rights in the digital age. It’s been great talking, and we’ll catch you next time!