Are you ready to take a stand against the powerful? It's time to talk about a controversial strategy to hit back at the oligarchs and their influence. But first, a warning: this might challenge your political comfort zone, so brace yourself!
The brilliant Scott Galloway and Tim have sparked an intriguing idea. They propose a campaign called 'Resist and Unsubscribe' (https://www.resistandunsubscribe.com/), targeting tech companies that have bowed to the Trump regime. The goal? To send a powerful message by hitting them where it hurts the most—their pockets.
Here's the crux: these companies' market valuations are heavily influenced by their subscribers and customers. Galloway explains that unsubscribing from paid services, like ChatGPT, can significantly impact their valuation. For instance, switching from a paid ChatGPT subscription to the free version can reduce the company's valuation by a whopping $10,000!
And here's where it gets even more intriguing. Galloway's website attracts 60,000 to 80,000 unique visitors daily, with a 4-5% conversion rate for unsubscribing. Imagine the potential impact! If each person unsubscribes from just two platforms, spending an average of $200 per platform, it could result in a million dollars in lost revenue.
But wait, there's more. Many of these companies' stock prices are based on multiples of their revenues. So, if we collectively reduce our subscriptions, we can significantly affect their market cap. Galloway believes this could lead to a substantial reduction in these companies' value over time.
Now, you might be thinking, 'But I can't unsubscribe from everything!' And that's okay. The Abstinence Fallacy, a cognitive trap, suggests that if you can't completely abstain from something, it's not worth trying at all. But boycotts aren't all-or-nothing. Every small action counts.
For instance, I didn't unsubscribe from Apple One, Netflix, or YouTube Premium for practical reasons. But I did cancel my paid ChatGPT account, AppleTV, and Audible. I'm also switching ride-hailing services and reconsidering my retail delivery options. Every step, no matter how small, weakens the oligarchs' grip.
And here's the exciting part: if just 5% of the people who read this take action, it could double the traffic to Galloway's site for a day, increasing unsubscriptions by 3% for the month. That's a significant impact from a single community!
But why stop there? Robert Evans, in his speech about battling fascism, highlights the power of a general strike as a weapon. While strikes and boycotts require organization and planning, they also need cash savings to be effective. So, if you can, start building those reserves. It's not just about reducing your consumption; it's about preparing for a credible strike that might never need to happen.
So, will you accept the challenge? Cancel a subscription, share this newsletter, and let's make a difference. Even small actions can have big consequences. And remember, in a world where Walmart might be the lesser evil, every step towards change is a step worth taking.
