The seductive simplicity of viewing technology as just tools – neutral instruments judged solely on their utility – resonates deeply within the developer and tech enthusiast community. It’s a perspective championed by many, echoing sentiments like those expressed by Manuel Moreale: "Tools are tools; they either do the job you need them to do or they don’t... I don’t give a shit about Apple the company." This pragmatic detachment offers a refuge from the exhausting moral calculus demanded by the modern tech landscape, where revelations about corporate malfeasance are depressingly routine. Who has the energy, the argument goes, to vet the CEO of every company behind every component in their laptop or phone? Isn't it more productive to focus energy on creating positive impact elsewhere?

The Allure and Cost of Pragmatic Indifference

The appeal is undeniable, especially for professionals whose livelihoods depend on mastering specific ecosystems. As Riccardo Mori observes in his recent piece building on Moreale's stance, this pragmatism stems from a very real place: the sheer effort required to disentangle oneself. Switching platforms – ditching macOS for Linux, iOS for Android – introduces significant friction. It demands learning new systems, abandoning familiar workflows, and potentially sacrificing software crafted by independent developers one does care about. Tech giants have spent decades meticulously engineering this convenience, knowing it breeds dependency and aversion to change.

"The more convenience you give people, the more change-averse you make them," Mori writes, pinpointing the core mechanism. "Everything I’ve seen in tech for the past 25 years or so has been aimed at eliminating friction."

When "Voting With Your Wallet" Feels Futile (But Might Be Essential)

This friction creates a powerful inertia. The common refrain of "vote with your wallet" often rings hollow when faced with the monumental scale of Apple, Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon. Does one individual refusing to buy a new MacBook Pro truly register? Mori argues that this sense of futility, combined with the "I only care about the tools" mentality, is precisely what allows these giants to thrive and perpetuate the status quo.

"It’s this not caring and this selfishness what makes these companies ‘win’, and what makes these companies too big to fail," he contends. "And ultimately what makes the status quo so hard to change." The individual’s understandable desire for the best tool for their job, devoid of corporate considerations, aggregates into a collective force sustaining the very entities many claim to disdain.

Beyond Resignation: Seeking Agency Amidst Lock-In

Mori isn't advocating for simplistic boycotts or claiming a moral high ground. He readily admits his own deep entanglement with Apple's ecosystem due to his work localizing macOS and iOS apps. His point is a call for heightened awareness and conscious effort, however incremental. He challenges those who routinely criticize Big Tech while continuing to use its products out of convenience to confront the contradiction.

He points to emerging alternatives like Framework (modular laptops) and Fairphone (ethical smartphones) as beacons, demonstrating that prioritizing repairability, sustainability, and ethical practices is possible, even if it requires navigating initial complexity. Choosing second-hand devices, exploring Linux despite its learning curve, or shifting messaging platforms are presented not as guaranteed solutions, but as acts of reclaiming agency.

The Uncomfortable Reality

The harsh truth Mori underscores is this: "These companies will keep being relevant and awful as long as people maintain this shrugging 'Watcha gonna do?' attitude." While governmental regulation is crucial, it's insufficient alone. Meaningful change also requires a cultural shift within the tech community – a move away from pure pragmatic detachment towards a more conscious engagement with the ethical and power dynamics embedded in our tools.

The friction of switching platforms or supporting smaller, ethical players is real, and the impact of individual choices feels minuscule against the Goliaths of tech. Yet, Mori argues, surrendering to indifference ensures the perpetuation of a system dominated by companies whose values may fundamentally clash with those of the developers and users relying on them. Recognizing the "Tools Trap" is the first step towards seeking paths out, however challenging they may be.

Source: Riccardo Mori - On tools, friction, and caring about the companies that make them