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January 24, 2026, 7:30 AM EST. An alternative internet exists beyond the platform-dominated web. The piece argues users can reclaim control by climbing a ladder of choices-from awareness and tracking online time to escaping Big Social and its algorithmic feeds. The author frames the internet as a collective project: individual actions add up to a broader resistance to corporate enclosure. Key steps include monitoring internet vitals (how often you pick up your phone and how long you spend on social media) and learning from Cal Newport's Digital Minimalism, Tristan Harris's ethical design work, and Renée DiResta's Invisible Rulers. To escape Big Social, users can opt for chronological feeds, curate lists of accounts, or use broadcast channels on platforms like Instagram. The piece notes changes won't be perfect, but they can reduce the pull of algorithmic design and shift attention to personal aims.