While “buy from EU” sounds reasonable (and it is, in terms of physical goods that shouldnt rely on huge travels around the world), it is dangerously intertwined with protectionism.
Politicians really like the idea of protectionism, but it doesnt help in terms of software, which is a big topic in here.
Open Source / Free Software is always global, doesnt discriminate against contributors from any country (may it be sanctioned or not).
I know a lot of really shitty proprietary software from the EU that I would always trade for free software from a global community.
Tbh, in a world that’s getting more and more filled with aggressive and blatant protectionism from (not only but especially) the two dominating major powers, it will be quite hard for Europe to sustain without using the same tools to a certain extent.
Sure, open source is a very good solution for a lot of things and I’ll prefer them to a domestic but proprietary solution, if applicable. Yet I also acknowledge the need for us to use our elbows more than we so far liked to.
I can’t be more agree
I am fine with simply boycotting the US, China, Russia and any dictatorship.
But there are normal people living there and also companies doing open source. Linux would be in a way worse state without Redhat for example
It doesn’t change the fact that if you buy their products, the government still profits from it through taxes.
I dont think that counts for donations though
I myself see it as a way to support European companies more than as a way to punish foreign ones. I think the effort to push non-proprietary software can align with the push to become less dependent on US companies (especially Big Tech), just like the push to use less single-use plastics can align with the push to use public transport more frequently. For that reason, i really like the terms buying with purpose and voting with your wallet more than the term but from EU. But at the same time, i don’t let the term decide what i do or not do, and my guess is that holds true for most people interested in this movement.
You have it backwards. BuyFromEU is a reaction to protectionism.
Doesn’t mean it can’t become protectionist itself.
Even when you buy a car, all the electronics are from asia
Ive got a wool shirt on right now from a local company, but the wool itself is from new zealand 🇳🇿
Yup, this.
I started atleast buying from european companies, regardless of parts.
Some industries like textile just aren’t local enough anymore to support through consumerism. But at the very least I can make sure my money goes into european pockets, so we can then tax them correctly!
Not protectionist but it’s fair to start using more eu brands when reasonable.
I always try to buy local products while shopping but if the best alternative is a product made somewere else, i’ll take that. I tend to use local brands because they’re more regulated and fair, but if that’s not the case, and they’re just more expensive, then it’s not worth it.
For exemple, I used telegram for years( since 2017) instead of WhatsApp because it was more secure and offered me alternatives and customization. Then I saw it’s founder’s messages on x about France and about romanian elections so I started to dig up stuff about him and I closed my account. I never stopped using WhatsApp but in paralel I used telegram with my wife (that is 90% of messages I send/receive).
I’ll switch to something else that I still have to find as soon as possible.
Yes but this ignores open source which is most of the time just good, and doesnt need to be forced to it through regulation
Xmpp or matrix are good Messaging protocols, and both are international projects.
It’s not “perfectionism”, it’s single-mindedness. Using EU made stuff no matter the cost in other areas is not perfect, it’s singleminded. And yes, single-mindedness isn’t particularly useful.
PROtectionism
🤦♂️
For me as much as i love the Buy from EU Movement i do kinda hate how some of the Posts are very “delulu” in my Opinion >.> like for Example i got recomenned a Post regarding Plushies from EU which i obviously find quite cool but i wouldnt consider to be as Impirtant to the Movement as lets say Tech which is i think our Biggest like hurtle when it comes to Tech Indiependence >.> But nonetheless i defently do approve of the Movement as a Whole :D
