LordOfWizard - Blog

Why I am leaving social media?

2026-03-25T00:00:00+00:00

Hello,

I am writing this post after thinking on this topic a lot. Social media's been a very important part in my life ever since i was a kid. The time when I made my first email on a nokia phone that had physical buttons with facebook on it. I knew this is something that's gonna change the way we live our day to day life.
I made a facebook account when I was in 3rd standard aka at the age of 8 (which i faked on the site). and I started using it, initlally the whole social media ecosystem was very very simple. But now when you look at it it's hungry for attention. More specifically instragram. I don't know how but instagram is now the go to social for people. Obv doesn't beat whatsapp but on instagram I used to upload my TBR and what I have been reading, but as I shifted to college the high of getting likes on posts that show you became real. I started optimising my profile that'll get me the most likes or will make people like me more. Before that this wasn't the case, I will put a story of the most random richerd stallman meme I could find and wouldn't give a rat's ass about it, that if someone liked it or not.

Eventually I noticed this pattern and I started using a fork of the instagram called dfinstagram</code> and it was a very good app. I could basically stop every possible feature that instagram made to take my attention away. for eg. endlessly watching people's stories, unlimited reels and random feed. All I noticed very easily and as they say.

When you get something for free, you are the product </blockquote> I picked on this and later I have minimised the amount of time I spent on instagram or other forms of social media, but there was still one platform which was constantly made to spend 5-10 minutes here and there always for me. LINKEDIN, while scrolling linkedin it feels productive, people are showing pdfs and top 3 tricks but the thing is I never asked or searched for it, everr. Not to mention whenever I opened Linkedin I always had notifications that are not even related to what I want to see at all. Which was a loop for me to always look and touch that button just to clean my notifications. Last year I bought a book (which I haven't finished completly btw) Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport and some of the things he said about Attention Economy made really good sense to me, and it really got me thinking how do people like cillian murphy or my girlfriend have lived their life with little to none phone usage how does their brain not just go for it. As it turns out none of us are perfect human beings, infact we are pretty easy to be controlled and manipulated into spending time effortlessly on these platforms. So After giving this a very very good thought, I am leaving all social platforms, maybe some accounts you might see, deactivated/deleted/inactive. Please feel free to reach out to me on my email</a>. I read all my emails and I always reply to them. Also this website is like a living project for me, obviously I have to share some of my life with people and this website is made to do that, you can expect technical articles, my thoughts, book reviews and other interesting stuff on it. Thanks, Pandharpurkar Advait (LordOfWizard)



My NixOS Basic no bs bare install guide
2025-10-10T00:00:00+00:00

(for legacy bios only)</p>

Download the iso from this link</a></li>
now it's time to partition stuff</li>
</ol>
Partition table should be like this yo</a>
</h2>
Device</th> Mount Point</th> Type</th> Filesystem</th></tr></thead>

/dev/vda1</code></td> /boot</code></td> boot partition</td> ext4</td></tr>
/dev/vda2</code></td> swap</td> swap</td> swap</td></tr>
/dev/vda3</code></td> /</code></td> root</td> ext4</td></tr>
note this is on a qemu system so beware, change partition names according to your need</code></td> </td> </td> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>

format the partitions</li>
</ol>
mkfs.ext4</span> /dev/vda1</span></span>
mkswap</span> /dev/vda2</span></span>
mkfs.ext4</span> /dev/vda3</span></span></code></pre>

Mount these sons of Bits</li>
</ol>
mount</span> /dev/vda3</span> /mnt</span></span>
mkdir</span> /mnt/boot</span></span>
mount</span> /dev/vda1</span> /mnt/boot</span></span>
swapon</span> /dev/vda2</span></span></code></pre>

generate the god damn configuration</li>
</ol>
nixos-generate-config</span> -</span>-root</span> /mnt</span></span>
vim</span> /mnt/etc/nixos/configuration.nix</span></span></code></pre>

Now change these follwing options i guess.</li>
</ol>
boot</span>.</span>loader</span>.</span>grub</span>.</span>enable</span> =</span> true</span>;</span></span>
boot</span>.</span>loader</span>.</span>grub</span>.</span>device</span> =</span> "</span>/dev/vda</span>"</span>;</span>  #</span> not /dev/vda1</span></span>
networking</span>.</span>hostName</span> =</span> "</span>hostname</span>"</span>;</span>  #</span> or any name you want</span></span>
services</span>.</span>openssh</span>.</span>enable</span> =</span> true</span>;</span></span></code></pre>

then install using this command</li>
</ol>
nixos-install</span></span></code></pre>

it should be done then reboot using reboot</code> lol.</li>
</ol>

For UEFI systems (additional instructions)</a>
</h2>
If you're on a UEFI system instead of legacy BIOS, here's what changes:</p>
Partition table for UEFI</a>
</h3>
Device</th> Mount Point</th> Type</th> Filesystem</th></tr></thead>

/dev/vda1</code></td> /boot</code></td> EFI System Partition</td> vfat</td></tr>
/dev/vda2</code></td> swap</td> swap</td> swap</td></tr>
/dev/vda3</code></td> /</code></td> root</td> ext4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Format partitions for UEFI</a>
</h3>
mkfs.vfat</span> -</span>F</span> 32</span> /dev/vda1</span>  #</span> EFI partition needs vfat</span></span>
mkswap</span> /dev/vda2</span></span>
mkfs.ext4</span> /dev/vda3</span></span></code></pre>Mount stays the same</a>
</h3>
mount</span> /dev/vda3</span> /mnt</span></span>
mkdir</span> /mnt/boot</span></span>
mount</span> /dev/vda1</span> /mnt/boot</span></span>
swapon</span> /dev/vda2</span></span></code></pre>Configuration changes for UEFI</a>
</h3>
Instead of GRUB on legacy BIOS, use systemd-boot:</p>
boot</span>.</span>loader</span>.</span>systemd-boot</span>.</span>enable</span> =</span> true</span>;</span></span>
boot</span>.</span>loader</span>.</span>efi</span>.</span>canTouchEfiVariables</span> =</span> true</span>;</span></span>
networking</span>.</span>hostName</span> =</span> "</span>hostname</span>"</span>;</span>  #</span> or any name you want</span></span>
services</span>.</span>openssh</span>.</span>enable</span> =</span> true</span>;</span></span></code></pre>
The rest (generate config, install, reboot) stays exactly the same.</p>

Some extra options you should sorta edit</a>
</h4>

set time zone</li>
</ol>
time</span>.</span>timeZone</span> =</span> "</span>Asia/Kolkata</span>"</span>;</span></span></code></pre>

setup locale</li>
</ol>
i18n</span>.</span>defaultLocale</span> =</span> "</span>en_US.UTF-8</span>"</span>;</span></span></code></pre>User adding</a>
</h4>
users</span>.</span>users</span>.</span>lordofwizard</span> =</span> {</span></span>
	isNormalUser</span> =</span> true</span>;</span></span>
	extraGroups</span> =</span> [</span> "</span>wheel</span>"</span> ]</span>;</span></span>
	packages</span> =</span> with</span> pkgs</span>;</span> [</span></span>
		tree</span></span>
		htop</span></span>
	]</span>;</span></span>
}</span>;</span></span></code></pre>


We live in a attention economy
2025-10-06T00:00:00+00:00
</p>
So first lets focus on what a economy is, "An economy is an area of the production, distribution and trade, as well as consumption of goods and services". So how is our Attention is thing that can be monitized on?</p>
Some observations I guess</a>
</h3>
When you really think about it, we as people without thinking about it spend a good amount of our valuable time on social media, where companies like meta have their most apps. Come to think of it, most of us have never ever paid a single penny on any of these sites to be on the platform. So why and how are these companies are one of the most biggest companies in the world?

On paper we are being sold the idea of "We connect the world" but what is being hidden is, we are the product.</p>
I was scrolling Instagram few months ago, and suddenly I thought lets run a simple experiement, think of the last 5 reels you have watched. I could remember the previous one, but before that. POOFF I couldn't remember shit. Aint that crazyy!?</p>
So as I was using the app, I could relate that this app is sorta designed to make me spend my most amount of time on it! and I came to this conclusition because of a certain game I was heavily addicted to called Balatro (It's a poker+rougelike game).

Everytime I refreshed the page, this is like the slot mechanic we have in casino's. But it's more crazy because our social aspect is a buff that's attached with this system.</p>
Posting something simple as just a quote from a random scene from my favorite tv show (Mad Men) and watching people go crazy over my</em> post in comments was a crazy feeling. and trust me I did this multiple times, and it felt good. But I started observing how my mind was getting kicks through this similar to getting those fire scores in balatro.</p>
Engagement is addictive drug</a>
</h3>
The more I engaged, the more I craved that little hit in the balls. a like, a comment, a share. It's wild how something so small can hijack your brain. And before you know it, you're checking your phone every five minutes like a lab rat waiting for a pellet. The app learns what keeps you coming back, and it feeds it to you in just the right doses enough novelty, enough validation, enough emotion to keep you hooked but not full. That’s when I realized: in this economy, attention isn’t just valuable it’s everything. And we're giving it away for free, one fuggin scroll at a time.</p>
Reclaiming Attention is Reclaiming Freedom</a>
</h3>
Cal Newport in Digital Minimalism talks about how our attention has become fragmented split into microseconds of stimulation. He says that constant lowquality engagement destroys our ability to focus deeply(ur shorts, reels, and constant twitter / x refresh), to be bored, and to reflect. What’s scary is that we didn’t consciously choose this trade. The convenience, the connection, the entertainment they all came at the hidden cost of our mental clarity. Newport argues that to live well, we must treat our attention like a scarce resource — to spend it only on things that align with our values, not on endless feeds designed to exploit our impulses.</p>
Choosing Depth over Noise</a>
</h3>
When you unplug, even for a short while, something strange happens silence stops feeling awkward. You start thinking again, reading slowly, walking without music, or just existing without needing to “post” it. Newport calls this a return to “deep living.” It’s not about rejecting technology; it’s about using it with purpose. Once you begin curating what deserves your time conversations, books, projects, or real-world interactions you start noticing how shallow most digital noise really is. You realize that your attention isn’t just being stolen it’s being fuckin auctioned off mate. And every moment you reclaim is a small act of rebellion. Control waht you consume, take it in your own hands. It can be as small as, not letting algorithms design whatchu consume. Build systems that works for you.</p>


Some of my favorite books of all time
2025-09-03T00:00:00+00:00
Some of My Favorite Books of All Time</a>
</h4>
My relationship with reading hasn't been lifelong I only discovered this passion relatively recently. I struggled with English in high school, but after immersing myself in English movies and TV shows, I became comfortable reading in the language daily.</p>
I started with accessible books like the beloved Harry Potter series and some works by R. K. Narayan, then fell down the self-help rabbit hole (Think and Grow Rich, Jeff Keller, Dale Carnegie, The Alchemist – you know the drill).</p>
Eventually, I graduated to some truly exceptional novels. Here they are, along with my experiences:</p>
1. Angels and Demons - Dan Brown</strong>
This book is an absolute thrill ride. It opens with a gripping hook and unfolds over the course of a single day, masterfully crafted by Brown. I was immediately drawn into the story and found myself relating to Robert Langdon. The plot twist is something that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.</p>
2. The Stranger - Albert Camus</strong>
Camus's philosophical masterpiece is a haunting exploration of existentialism and absurdity. The story follows Meursault, a detached French-Algerian man whose emotional indifference leads to a shocking crime. What makes this novella so powerful is how Camus forces you to confront uncomfortable questions about meaning, morality, and the human condition. The famous opening line – "Mother died today" – sets the tone for a narrative that's both unsettling and profoundly thought-provoking. and the ending convo with the priest is also nice.</p>
3. Metamorphosis - Franz Kafka</strong>
Kafka's surreal tale of Gregor Samsa, who wakes up transformed into a giant insect, is both bizarre and deeply moving. On the surface, it's about a man dealing with his literal transformation, but it's really a powerful allegory about alienation, family dynamics, and what happens when we become burdens to those we love. Kafka's ability to make the impossible feel emotionally real is what makes this short story a timeless classic.</p>
4. A Short History of Nearly Everything - Bill Bryson</strong>
Bryson takes the intimidating subject of science and makes it absolutely captivating. From the Big Bang to the rise of civilization, he explains complex scientific concepts with humor and clarity that makes you feel like you're having a conversation with the smartest, funniest friend you know. It's the rare book that can make you laugh while teaching you about quantum physics and the history of Earth. Not only this book is Badass but just because i have read this I have limitless things to bring in a random convo with my girlfriend.</p>
5. Savarkar: Echoes from a Forgotten Past - Vikram Sampath</strong>
Sampath's biographical work on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar is a meticulously researched exploration of one of India's most controversial historical figures. The book presents a nuanced portrait of the revolutionary, poet, and political theorist, examining both his contributions to India's independence movement and his more contentious ideological positions. It's essential reading for understanding the complexities of Indian political thought and history. Sampath is a brilliant and important historian that india needs.</p>


Tools that i use and why?
2025-08-23T00:00:00+00:00
Tech I Use</a>
</h1>

nix</a></a>
</h2>
Cause I hate myself. No I use nix cause of the ability to cache different environments. At the time of writing this I am not a pro nix user I have tried, flakes, and home manager and stuff. I still have some time to get in deep init.

So far I am loving nix, especially the reproducibility.</p>
Arch Linux</a></a>
</h2>
I run Arch because it just makes sense</em>. The zstd</a> compression for packages is blazing fast, and of course the AUR</a> is basically cheating — anything you could possibly want, someone’s already packaged. Rolling release, minimal, zero fluff.</p>
Neovim</a></a>
</h2>
No plugin zoo, no 200-line config. Just a single init.lua</code></a> with ~10–20 sane defaults. I stick to built-in motions and keymaps (because search engines exist</a>), which keeps it minimal, fast, and frictionless.</p>
tmux</a></a>
</h2>
Simple. Consistent. Indispensable. I use it to spin up apps on a server and let them live in the background forever. Detach, reattach, never worry about killing something by mistake.</p>
Alacritty</a></a>
</h2>
GPU-rendered terminal that just flies. No tabs, no bloat, no distractions — just raw speed.</p>
HMCL (Hello Minecraft! Launcher)</a></a>
</h2>
The most no-bullshit Minecraft launcher I’ve found. Offline-friendly, lightweight, and skips all the unnecessary crap.</p>
Brave</a></a>
</h2>
Think of it as Firefox</a> with Chromium</a> compatibility when you need</em> it. Built-in adblocking</a>, but I nuke the sponsored newsfeed and other cruft. Fast, functional, and gets out of the way.</p>
Obsidian</a> + Syncthing</a></a>
</h2>
Obsidian is my second brain. I use the PARA method</a> with some extra folders (new_cache/</code> + daily notes). Local-first, markdown-based, extensible. Syncthing does the syncing magic across devices — zero cloud lock-in.</p>
Calibre</a></a>
</h2>
The best way to manage and push ebooks to my Kindle</a>. Grab something from Z-Library</a> and it’s on the device in seconds.</p>


Tech That I use
2025-01-31T00:00:00+00:00
Personal Laptop</a>
</h3>

Model</strong>: Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i (2024) Ultra 9 185H</li>
CPU</strong>: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H (16C/22T, up to 5.1 GHz)</li>
RAM</strong>: 32 GB LPDDR5x-7467 (soldered)</li>
Storage</strong>: 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD</li>
OS</strong>: Arch Linux</a></li>
</ul>
Secondary Monitor</a>
</h3>

Model</strong>: LG 22-inch (55.88 cm) Full HD IPS Monitor</li>
Display</strong>: 1920×1080, IPS panel, slim bezel design</li>
</ul>
Other Devices</a>
</h3>
E Reader</a>
</h4>

Model</strong>: Kindle (11th Gen, 2022 – “All-New”)</li>
</ul>
Phone</a>
</h4>

Model</strong>: Samsung Galaxy M52 5G</li>
</ul>
Tinkering Laptop</a>
</h3>

Model</strong>: Lenovo 3000 C200</li>
Specs</strong>: Intel Core Duo / 1 GB RAM, 80 GB HDD, 15.4" display</li>
</ul>
Desktop / Streaming Pc</a>
</h3>

CPU</strong>: Intel Core i3 7100</li>
GPU</strong>: Gigabyte G1 Gaming Redeon RX 570 4gb</li>
RAM</strong>: 8GB 2133 Mhz DDR4 Ram</li>
Storage</strong> : 4tb (multiple drives) Western Digital 7200rpm Hard Drives.</li>
OS</strong>: Arch Linux</a></li>
</ul>
VPS</a>
</h3>

CPU</strong>: Amphere 8 cores 8 threads</li>
RAM</strong>: 24 Gig</li>
OS</strong>: Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS</li>
</ul>

Partition table should be like this yo

For UEFI systems (additional instructions)
Partition table for UEFI

Partition table for UEFI

We live in a attention economy

Some observations I guess
Engagement is addictive drugChoosing Depth over Noise

Engagement is addictive drugChoosing Depth over Noise

Choosing Depth over Noise

Choosing Depth over Noise

Some of my favorite books of all time

Some of My Favorite Books of All Time

Tools that i use and why?

Arch Linux</a></a> </h2>
zstd</a> compression for packages is blazing fast, and of course the AUR</a> is basically cheating — anything you could possibly want, someone’s already packaged. Rolling release, minimal, zero fluff.</p>

Brave</a></a> </h2>
Think of it as Firefox</a> with Chromium</a> compatibility when you need</em> it. Built-in adblocking</a>, but I nuke the sponsored newsfeed and other cruft. Fast, functional, and gets out of the way.</p>

`Calibre</a></a> </h2> The best way to manage and push ebooks to my Kindle</a>. Grab something from Z-Library</a> and it’s on the device in seconds.</p>`

Tech That I use

Secondary Monitor </a> </h3>
Other Devices </a> </h3>
E Reader </a> </h4>

Phone </a> </h4>

Tinkering Laptop </a> </h3>

Model</strong>: Lenovo 3000 C200</li>
Desktop / Streaming Pc </a> </h3>
OS</strong>: Arch Linux</a></li> </ul>
VPS

Other Devices </a> </h3>
E Reader </a> </h4>

Phone </a> </h4>

Tinkering Laptop </a> </h3>

Model</strong>: Lenovo 3000 C200</li>
Desktop / Streaming Pc </a> </h3>
OS</strong>: Arch Linux</a></li> </ul>
VPS

E Reader </a> </h4>

Phone </a> </h4>

Tinkering Laptop </a> </h3>

Model</strong>: Lenovo 3000 C200</li>
Desktop / Streaming Pc </a> </h3>
OS</strong>: Arch Linux</a></li> </ul>
VPS

Phone </a> </h4>

Tinkering Laptop </a> </h3>

Model</strong>: Lenovo 3000 C200</li>
Desktop / Streaming Pc </a> </h3>
OS</strong>: Arch Linux</a></li> </ul>
VPS

Tinkering Laptop </a> </h3>

Model</strong>: Lenovo 3000 C200</li>
Desktop / Streaming Pc </a> </h3>
OS</strong>: Arch Linux</a></li> </ul>
VPS

Desktop / Streaming Pc </a> </h3>
OS</strong>: Arch Linux</a></li> </ul>
VPS

VPS

LordOfWizard - Blog

Why I am leaving social media?

My NixOS Basic no bs bare install guide