The idea that free speech is disappearing in the US is patently absurd. Check out the Sedition Act of 1918 if you'd like to be informed on the progress we've made. The speech clause of the first amendment is stronger than it was for about 75% of the existence of our country. There's been a somewhat weird trend lately of the free speech of corporations being prioritized over that of individuals, but people care deeply about that on both the left (opposition to the Citizens United ruling) and the right (opposition to content-aware acceptable use policies). Take a slightly longer view and it seems insignificant, next to literal prosecutions for handing out pamphlets opposing the draft.
Same with general purpose computing: it's more accessible than at any time in history. Most people who use only a computing-based appliance like a smartphone today, simply would not have had a computer twenty years ago. Meanwhile I can buy a new Raspberry Pi 4 (definitely a general purpose computer) for less than 25 hours' minimum wage -- try doing that in 2002. The problem is not availability, or that someone is trying to quash it. The problem is that most people just are not interested. Those who are interested have at least as much access as they ever have.
Same with general purpose computing: it's more accessible than at any time in history. Most people who use only a computing-based appliance like a smartphone today, simply would not have had a computer twenty years ago. Meanwhile I can buy a new Raspberry Pi 4 (definitely a general purpose computer) for less than 25 hours' minimum wage -- try doing that in 2002. The problem is not availability, or that someone is trying to quash it. The problem is that most people just are not interested. Those who are interested have at least as much access as they ever have.