From our perspective as a user, the search engine, the AI generator, the social network, the online shop are simply tools.  Tools we use to do the things we need to do for work or pleasure.

From the perspective of the tool owners – Alphabet, OpenAi, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon – they are not just tools, they are a factor of production.  As we are.  We are the factor that creates value.

Why then do we give our labour for free?

Because the factory is hidden from us, of course.   That way we can’t withdraw our labour.