We’re only talking about hosting because you offered it up as a way of accessing it for “free”.

If you want to use Google, you have to pay the same as for using Lemmy, or searxNG, zero.

Nope. With Google, you pay with your data. With Lemmy or SearxNG, you pay with money, or you enjoy the benefits of socializing the cost (just like “free” healthcare)

Neither are free.

So I’d have to spend money on additional equipment, is what you’re saying.

Which is not true of using Google.

Get it yet?

Surely hosting Google search is more expensive than hosting Lemmy when you’re insinuating otherwise?

You’ve got it backwards.

How do I host Lemmy on my iPhone? How do I host it on a Library computer?

Don’t run it on a raspberry pi, run it on the same computer you use to access the Google search you are happy to call “free”.

Because you think hosting Lemmy yourself is the same monetary cost as doing a Google search.

And yet you can’t fathom the difference between hosting and maintaining something, versus consuming something.

You really only think in black and white, huh?

Sad.

My computer isn’t free, nor is my internet connection, nor is my electricity.

When did I call Google searches “free”?

Lemmy is free. I can self host Lemmy on a raspberry pi for exactly 0€.

Dang, where can I get a free Raspberry Pi and internet connection? That sounds awesome!

The instance I use… Is also free. I donate because I choose to, but if my friend can’t afford to donate they can still use the instance. Nobody is profiting from it.

This is exactly my point. It’s like when people call it “free healthcare”.

Do you think Lemmy is free? Your admin is paying, and trusting you to donate to help out.

Misusing them in what weigh? Like using an uncorrect word? Or using a word that has a different consternation than the one they meant to use?