this post was submitted on 25 Jan 2026
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BuyFromEU

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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.

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[–] FortyTwo@lemmy.world 2 points 7 hours ago

It depends on what your goal is. I used to share your opinion, but find myself increasingly of the opinion that these ideals must be kept separate. Much as I like the idea of open source, not all open source applications or crowd-sourced data can keep up with companies with hundreds or thousands of people actually responsible for it. Similarly, when it comes to innovation, large resources and private investments are needed. If we focus too much on requiring every single thing related to software being open source, we risk the entire effort failing before taking off.

Open source is great, and if you care especially much about this topic that's also great, but it's still quite niche (the general public won't care), while geopolitical sovereignty is a big topic many are rapidly coming to appreciate. Let's start with this part where there's already substantial agreement within the population instead of necessarily packaging them together. Switching over from sending our money to the US for the privilege of dependence to investing our money into our own companies seems a relatively easy and well supported first step, over European and open source and non-addictive and no obnoxious ads and low energy consumption and and and. All all worthwhile causes, but insisting on all at once is doomed to fail. IMO it's better to move in steps, and start with the low-hanging fruit.

[–] VeloRama@feddit.org 3 points 10 hours ago

You have it backwards. BuyFromEU is a reaction to protectionism.

[–] TanteRegenbogen@feddit.org 11 points 21 hours ago

I am fine with simply boycotting the US, China, Russia and any dictatorship.

[–] Quittenbrot@feddit.org 21 points 1 day ago

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.

[–] huppakee@piefed.social 8 points 1 day ago

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.

[–] Nioxic@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 21 hours ago

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 🇳🇿

[–] androidul@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (3 children)

it’s not even fully EU, I’m seeing products there listed from UK, why? confused

[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 7 points 23 hours ago (2 children)

The sidebar says

Welcome to BuyFromEU - A community dedicated to supporting European-made goods and services!

The UK still hasn't left Europe geographically, yet.

[–] androidul@lemmy.world 2 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

sure, but it’s called buyfromEU

[–] dieTasse@feddit.org 2 points 11 hours ago

Eu can also be an abbreviation of Europe. Unfortunate but true. More proper alternative is Eur but that would evoke that you should buy with euro. The last option would be just E. Or maybe the option to not abbreviate BuyFromEurope. Its not that long. You are welcome for this unnecessary stream of deep thougts 😀

[–] Kissaki@feddit.org 2 points 23 hours ago

I guess they're drifting away with rising sea levels /s

[–] ik5pvx@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago

Deep down, we still love them.

Very deep.

[–] GMac@feddit.org 4 points 23 hours ago

Some of us never wanted to leave, and will never forgive the racist, selfish, bastard boomers who carried the leave vote when they wouldn't live long enough to suffer the long term consequences.