Over the last few years, the digital world has accelerated its invasion of the material one. Our time is monopolised by the same four mega-platforms while data-driven mass surveillance and state-funded troll farms threaten the free internet. What kind of internet are we building for the future, and how can we prepare for the worst?

Ordinary Things is an anonymous satirist, writer and documentarian. He makes videos about the surprising and sinister stories behind everyday things for over 600,000 subscribers on YouTube. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx