Emoji Therapy & Tech Truths - Swiped, Tracked & Charged

This information is also available on my YouTube Channel at: https://youtu.be/RemQEU4mcEw    

If you prefer, you can also listen to this information on my Podcast at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/norbert-gostischa/episodes/Emoji-Therapy--Tech-Truths---The-Digital-Jungle-We-Call-Life-e33t4q9

"Welcome to Emoji Therapy & Tech Truths — the only show where a single emoji says more than your last 20 texts… and the truth hits harder than a paywall in a library. I’m Bob — your digital compass in a world of algorithms, ads, and absurdity. Grab your brain, your sense of humor, and maybe your password manager... you’re gonna need all three."

"Here is this week's emoji 💸 — also known as 'my bank account after signing up for a free trial I forgot about.' You know the drill. It starts with 'Try it free for 7 days!' and ends with a mysterious $19.99 charge every month until the end of time."

"Streaming platforms, mobile apps, cloud storage, digital gym memberships, and meditation apps that are so expensive they cause more stress than they relieve. This is subscription fatigue, and we're all stuck in the recurring revenue hamster wheel."

"Fun fact: Americans spend over $1,000 a year on unused or forgotten subscriptions."

"Auto-renewal isn’t a feature — it’s a trap. Dark patterns, small print, and the ol' 'cancel by calling customer service during a full moon on a Tuesday' routine."

"Next up: 👁️. That’s not just an emoji. That’s the unblinking stare of outdated surveillance laws. Your smart fridge knows your snack habits. Your smart TV listens more than your spouse."

"Here’s the kicker: the laws designed to protect you were written when BlackBerrys were the height of innovation. Today, government agencies and private companies can collect your location, browsing history, and even your voice with almost zero accountability."

"You’re not paranoid if the toaster is listening."

"It’s time for our favorite recurring nightmare: 🤖🌀. Yep, AI hallucinations. That magical moment when a chatbot tells you the Eiffel Tower is in Kansas... with absolute confidence."

"Customer service bots that invent fake return policies. Search engines that quote sources that don’t exist. And the cherry on top? When AI writes a biography about you… and gives you a pet llama named Greg."

"These systems don’t lie on purpose — they’re just confidently clueless. Like the one uncle who insists he was at Woodstock but was born in 1975."

"🧴 Plastic Pollution: We're all swimming in it. Literally. Congrats, microplastics are now part of your diet."

"💊 Prescription Drug Prices: This pill costs $3 to make and $300 to buy. Capitalism at its most... inflated."

"🗞️ Local News Disappearing: Coming soon: Breaking News via your neighbor's Facebook rant."

"🥫 Food Deserts: No fresh food for miles, but hey — 47 flavors of canned chili."

"The world’s gone digital, but common sense is still analog. Whether it’s subscriptions draining your wallet, devices spying on your snack drawer, or AI writing your memoirs with imaginary pets, one thing’s clear: stay curious, stay skeptical, and always read the fine print."

"This week’s question: What subscription or device do you use daily that might be using you back? Think about it. Reflect. Then maybe… cancel it."

(AI was used to aid in the creation of this article.)

"I’ll see you again soon. Bye-bye and thanks for reading, watching, and listening."