"We are trying to make it possible for people to use computers as simple of a statement as this: use computers, without intermediaries and custodians. The more they do, the more the lines will diverge. Until there's a chasm between the centralised model and the decentralised model with a clear line between them. And we will force either a reconciliation at the natural, technical level, let the best product in the market win, or we will force the hand of the authoritarians to say that our model is illegal.
And then we have a different reconciliatory approach. Which is, okay, it's revolution time."
~ Matt Hill
Big tech platforms have spent years trapping us behind their gates. And honestly, I am sick of it. The "cloud" is just someone else's computer, and companies are skimming our data at every single turn. CEO of Start9, Matt Hill, is my guest today, and is actually doing something about it. We sat down to talk about how bad the institutional theft of our privacy has gotten, and why building your own digital escape hatch is no longer just for hardcore nerds.
Matt brought the fire in this one. He walks me through the absolute beast that is StartOS 0.4.0 -- the OS they spent the last three years rebuilding from absolute scratch. He also gave us the rundown on their upcoming StartWRT router, and breaks down how they finally made complex networking feel like putting together simple Ikea furniture.
But the conversation goes way deeper than just hardware and updates. We get into the existential threat of AI, what happens when people get automated away, and why you desperately need to run your agents locally. Matt sees the current systems sinking like the Titanic, and we spend a lot of time trying to figure out exactly how to scramble for the higher decks. If you have been procrastinating on taking control of your own computing, this conversation will give you the push you need.
Chapters
(00:00:00) - The divergence of centralized and decentralized models
(00:06:34) - Rebuilding StartOS and extending development timelines
(00:10:05) - Introducing StartWRT and true open-source routing
(00:32:18) - The danger of centralized cloud computing infrastructure
(00:44:06) - AI advancement and the loss of human purpose
(01:06:14) - Unchecked inflation theft negating time-saving technology
(01:18:09) - Developing essential digital defense systems to resist tyranny
(01:28:56) - A total code rebuild for ultimate network stack control
(01:46:36) - Automating server management with the local StartBot AI
(01:57:24) - Packaging custom open-source software on the fly
(02:08:40) - Simplifying network isolation with StartWRT security profiles
(02:24:35) - Chaining outbound VPNs for complete internet traffic privacy
(02:37:48) - Exposing home services safely using virtual private routers
Guest Links
Matt on X (Link: https://twitter.com/_MattHill_)
Start9's Website (Link: https://start9.com/)
Affiliate Links
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Chapters
(00:00:00) - The divergence of centralized and decentralized models
(00:06:34) - Rebuilding StartOS and extending development timelines
(00:10:05) - Introducing StartWRT and true open-source routing
(00:32:18) - The danger of centralized cloud computing infrastructure
(00:44:06) - AI advancement and the loss of human purpose
(01:06:14) - Unchecked inflation theft negating time-saving technology
(01:18:09) - Developing essential digital defense systems to resist tyranny
(01:28:56) - A total code rebuild for ultimate network stack control
(01:46:36) - Automating server management with the local StartBot AI
(01:57:24) - Packaging custom open-source software on the fly
(02:08:40) - Simplifying network isolation with StartWRT security profiles
(02:24:35) - Chaining outbound VPNs for complete internet traffic privacy
(02:37:48) - Exposing home services safely using virtual private routers
South Africa