According to The How-To Geek, writer Will Verduzco argues that the tech press’s fixation on social media and AI can leave deeper tech enthusiasts feeling frustrated and bored. He posits that Linux offers an escape from this cycle of passive consumption, providing a more participatory and creative computing experience. Verduzco details his journey, starting seriously in the 2000s when installing a distro was a “rite of passage,” and highlights how it led to professional opportunities and connections, like meeting Python creator Guido van Rossum at the Bay Area Linux User Group (BALUG). He contrasts scrolling feeds with using Linux to build real things, like his own mathematical software using Python, SymPy, and Numpy. Ultimately, he suggests that exploring what others are building, from home automation to projects like an e-ink dashboard on a Raspberry Pi, can rekindle a love for technology.
The participation problem
Here’s the thing: Verduzco’s frustration is incredibly relatable. The dominant tech narrative right now is either about consuming algorithmically-sorted content or interacting with a black-box AI. Where’s the actual *doing*? His point about Linux feeling “participatory” hits the nail on the head. Installing an OS, troubleshooting drivers, choosing a desktop environment—these are active, engaging tasks. You’re not just clicking; you’re deciding. And yeah, it can be a hassle. But that’s kind of the point. The friction is where the learning happens. It’s the difference between renting a pre-furnished apartment and building your own shed. One is convenient, the other is yours.
From scrolling to building
This is the core of his argument. Social media platforms are built *on* Linux because it’s the ultimate tool-making tool. But most of us only experience the consumption layer on top. Verduzco flipped the script. Instead of watching other people’s curated lives, he used Linux’s native tools to construct his own projects. Python, statistics libraries, his own Mathematica alternative—that’s genuine creation. It’s a powerful antidote to the FOMO he mentions. Why feel insecure about someone’s perfect Instagram life when you can feel accomplished about the script you just debugged? The value shifts from external validation to internal satisfaction. That’s a healthy trade.
Real connections in a virtual world
This might be the most counterintuitive point, but it’s true. In an age of shallow “engagement,” Linux fosters deep, substantive connections. The old-school user group meetings, like BALUG with its Chinese food and talks, created community around a shared *activity*, not just shared consumption. Online, it’s the same. Your most valuable tech contacts aren’t the people who retweeted your hot take; they’re the ones who helped you fix your GRUB bootloader or suggested a killer CLI utility in an IRC chat. Verduzco credits these connections for his career. It makes sense. This ecosystem values skill and curiosity over likes and follows. And his final jab is perfect: while everyone worries about AI taking jobs, what’s running those AI data centers? It’s probably Linux. Knowing how it works seems like a pretty future-proof skill.
A cure for tech boredom
So, is this a realistic prescription? For a certain type of person, absolutely. If you’re tired of being a passenger in the tech world, Linux hands you the wheel—and the wrench. The inspiration doesn’t come from corporate keynotes but from seeing a cool Raspberry Pi project on Reddit and thinking, “I could adapt that.” It’s a bottom-up, maker-centric worldview that much of modern tech has left behind. It’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. But Verduzco is right. If you’re feeling jaded, downloading a distro and poking around is a far more rewarding way to spend an evening than doomscrolling. It reminds you that computers are for building, not just for watching.
