RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a type of web feed that allows users to receive updates from multiple websites automatically and simultaneously. Essentially, it is a protocol that takes a website's content and turns it into a type of file (written in XML, or Extensible Markup Language) with data that a computer can produce into readable content for users. Prior to social media websites like Facebook, Instagram, and Xitter emerging as the primary hegemonic powers of the internet, RSS feeds were the most prevalent way of staying up to date with online content.
Below is the image that represents a site's RSS feed
Typically, RSS feeds are created with the help of an aggregator. An aggregator is a piece of software that takes a site's RSS file and allows users to create and view their own RSS feeds. Aggregators can exist either as standalone programs or as features of a larger piece of software, such as an email client or web browser.
Check out this Wikipedia page for a comprehensive comparison between the different feed aggregators on the market.
I personally use Thunderbird as my RSS reader because it is natively supported and complements my email experience and (less impressively) my XMPP chats. I've heard good things about Inoreader and Newsboat, but can't directly make a recommendation since I haven't used them myself.
It can be difficult to follow a site's RSS feed, particularly if the webmaster doesn't make an effort to display the feed for easy access. To follow an RSS feed, copy the link for the site's feed. The link will typically look something like https://site.com/feed or https://site.com/rss
Most sites will typically display the RSS link (watch out for the symbol) so it shouldn't be too hard to find.
One quick trick to find it if it isn't readily visible is to go to the site's homepage and open the browser's developer tools. On Chromium-based browsers, the shortcut for this is Ctrl+Shift+I. Once this is opened, just Ctrl+F to search the homepage's html and search "feed" or "rss" and the feed can be found there.
Once the link is copied onto the clipboard, paste it into the aggregator where applicable.
Mainstream social media sites suck. Instead of scrolling an infinite feed generated by an algorithm designed to suck as much time and money out of us as possible, we can make our own feeds that actually end and don't glue us to our screens for hours at a time. We can regain control over the media we consume, which will help us become more informed thinkers and citizens and give us the agency we need to make the world a better place.
Get the fuck off of social media. Use RSS.
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