Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Windows is no longer the "only" choice—it’s becoming a cautionary tale. From aggressive ads and enshittification to the rise of Linux gaming and Apple’s ARM dominance, the desktop monopoly is finally cracking. Is this the year of Windows humiliation? I’m reacting to Linus Tech Tips’ deep dive into why Microsoft is losing its core audience and why users are finally choosing privacy and autonomy over a bureaucracy that treats them like a resource. The tide is turning. The dam is about to break.
Watch Linus' original video here youtube.com/watch?v=Tpem0BwFOP0
00:00 Intro
04:08 The Year of Windows Humiliation
05:33 Microsoft betrays gamers
09:29 And the rest of the betrayals
11:41 Microsoft is trying to "change course"
15:59 It's not just Linux. Apple's eating into Windows' market share, too!
*My Game*
❯ Get the source code: github.com/heavyelementinc/dudelings-foss
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❯ Dudelings: Arcade Sportsball: store.steampowered.com/bundle/41202/Dudelings_Arcade_Sportsball_Deluxe_Edition/?utm_source=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.heavyelement.dudelings&pcampaignid=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Itch.io: heavy-element.itch.io/dudelings
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❯ 🐘 Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ 💬 Matrix Chat: matrix.to/#/#the-bryant-review:matrix.org
❯ 🌐 Heavy Element: heavyelement.com
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❯ ✒️ Become a Member: gardinerbryant.com/#/portal
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About Gardiner Bryant: A native Maine resident, Gardiner (yes, that's his first name) is an enthusiastic Linux evangelist, a believer in the efficacy and superiority of the Free and Open Source way, and President of Heavy Element. Heavy Element offers web design, media production, and YouTube consulting services to individuals and companies in Maine and beyond.
heavyelement.com
Gardiner Bryant is a privacy advocate and public speaker on the topic. Learn more about his speaking series and schedule an engagement at your institution at gardinerbryant.com
Windows is no longer the "only" choice—it’s becoming a cautionary tale. From aggressive ads and enshittification to the rise of Linux gaming and Apple’s ARM dominance, the desktop monopoly is finally cracking. Is this the year of Windows humiliation? I’m reacting to Linus Tech Tips’ deep dive into why Microsoft is losing its core audience and why users are finally choosing privacy and autonomy over a bureaucracy that treats them like a resource. The tide is turning. The dam is about to break.
Watch Linus' original video here youtube.com/watch?v=Tpem0BwFOP0
00:00 Intro
04:08 The Year of Windows Humiliation
05:33 Microsoft betrays gamers
09:29 And the rest of the betrayals
11:41 Microsoft is trying to "change course"
15:59 It's not just Linux. Apple's eating into Windows' market share, too!
*My Game*
❯ Get the source code: github.com/heavyelementinc/dudelings-foss
❯ Dudelings on Humble: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/9LWQeW
❯ Dudelings: Arcade Sportsball: store.steampowered.com/bundle/41202/Dudelings_Arcade_Sportsball_Deluxe_Edition/?utm_source=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.heavyelement.dudelings&pcampaignid=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Itch.io: heavy-element.itch.io/dudelings
*Affiliate links*
Services I Recommend:
❯ RackNerd Affiliate Link: my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=15496
❯ RackNerd Virtual Private Servers: my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=15496&pid=25
❯ RackNerd 200GB Shared Hosting: my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=15496&pid=83
❯ RackNerd Intel Xeon Bare Metal Server: my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=15496&pid=12
Private Email & More:
❯ Proton Drive: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=43&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Pass: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=38&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton VPN: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=26&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Mail: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=7&aff_id=10074
Best Steam Deck Accessories:
❯ SanDisk 1 TB card: amzn.to/3z8mMfH
❯ Steam Deck Dock: amzn.to/3PDjgkt
❯ Steam Deck accessories: amzn.to/4c2XKkM
❯ DualSense: amzn.to/3WR1u1R
❯ Gulikit KK3 Max controller amzn.to/4dqRaoC
❯ DualSense Edge: amzn.to/4cuzIyd
❯ 8Bitdo Pro 2: amzn.to/46R7hcz
❯ Amazon Suggested Products: amzn.to/4fAha2h
*Elsewhere on the Web*
❯ ✍🏻 My Writings: gardinerbryant.com
❯ 🎙️ My Podcast: podcast.subscribeto.me
❯ ✉️ Email Newsletter: heavyelement.com/newsletter
❯ 🐘 Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ 💬 Matrix Chat: matrix.to/#/#the-bryant-review:matrix.org
❯ 🌐 Heavy Element: heavyelement.com
*Support the Show*
❯ ✒️ Become a Member: gardinerbryant.com/#/portal
❯ 🕴️My Games: store.steampowered.com/search/?publisher=Heavy%20Element
❯ 🎮 Humble affiliate: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/4GmJdL
❯ 🕹️ GOG affiliate: adtr.co/ct8fzu
❯ 🛒 Amazon affiliate: amzn.to/3iYb4gd
❯ ✉️ Proton affiliate: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=7&aff_id=10074
❯ 🪙 Bitcoin: bc1qgz3r4yhzvxm7s8srutkvlnm2c70n8gga4j259e
About Gardiner Bryant: A native Maine resident, Gardiner (yes, that's his first name) is an enthusiastic Linux evangelist, a believer in the efficacy and superiority of the Free and Open Source way, and President of Heavy Element. Heavy Element offers web design, media production, and YouTube consulting services to individuals and companies in Maine and beyond.
heavyelement.com
Gardiner Bryant is a privacy advocate and public speaker on the topic. Learn more about his speaking series and schedule an engagement at your institution at gardinerbryant.com
